What is a Designated Player slot worth?
Two years ago, when the New York Red Bulls acquired Chivas USA's DP slot, it cost a former MLS MVP in Amado Guevara. Last year, when D.C. United acquired Colorado's DP slot, the cost was as former MVP (Christian Gomez) and a first-round pick.
With word emerging on Tuesday that Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio would rather trade away his team's second DP slot than have two DP salaries on the books, we can start to think about just which teams might be in the market for that slot.
One natural trade partner exists and it is none other than the same team that gave the Red Bulls the second DP slot in the first place, Chivas USA.
Here is a trade that could help both teams and could shake up the MLS off-season:
The Red Bulls would trade their Designated Player slot and goalkeeper Jon Conway to Chivas USA for Jonathan Bornstein, Maykel Galindo and a swap of first-round picks.
Why would Chivas USA do the deal? They enjoyed a strong season with both Bornstein and Galindo missing a big chunk of it with injuries (they combined to play 31 out of a possible 60 games). With forwards Ante Razov, Alecko Eskandarian and Justin Braun in the fold, Galindo is expendable and there were already rumors about him possible heading to the Seattle expansion franchise. Bornstein is about to enter the final year of his contract, meaning the club could lose him at the end of the year.
Most importantly, Chivas would then have the mechanism to add a high-profile Mexican star, something the club shied away from years ago, but appears prepared to do now. Someone like Adolfo Bautista would be a big score for the Goats, both on the field and at the box office. Secondly, Conway would step in and start for Chivas USA.
So why would the Red Bulls make the trade? The club would acquire two talented players who could step in and start, which is precisely what Osorio said he wanted instead of the DP. Bornstein would give Osorio the type of dangerous attacking fullback he has craved, and would allow him to move Kevin Goldthwaite into central defense. Bornstein could also be used on the left flank, bringing the type of versatility that will be crucial to a team that will compete in the Champions League next year.
Then you have Galindo, a speedy striker who could be a terror playing alongside Juan Pablo Angel. One of the Red Bulls' biggest priorities this off-season is finding a speedy forward and Galindo would fill that need.
The draft pick swap might seem inconsequential, but the 2009 MLS Draft is shaping up to be a loaded one (assuming MLS can sign the bulk of the underclassmen it has targeted) and a high draft pick could fetch the club another useful player like Luke Sassano was last season (skeptics can also argue that it could bring another Eric Brunner, who the Red Bulls wound up letting go during the season over a contract squabble). Moving up from No. 14 to No. 9 might not seem like much, but it could mean the difference between a rookie starter and project. Could Chivas wind up just throwing in the No. 9 pick without getting one back? Perhaps that could help the deal get done if Bornstein were against signing a new deal.
Then there is the cap-friendliness of the trade. Even if the Red Bulls re-signed Bornstein to a new deal (he made $77,500 last season) the overall cap hit wouldn't be that much. Let's assume Bornstein's new deal saw him earn double his 2008 salary(let's say $150,000), combine that with Galindo's salary ($79,750 last season) and you're talking between $230,000 and $240,000. The combined cap hit of a second DP and Conway would be at least $435,000. That's a savings of almost $200,000, savings that could go toward re-signing Dave Van Den Bergh and/or adding at least one other quality player (most likely a defender).
Signing Bornstein to a new deal might be what makes or breaks a deal like this because having him play without a new deal would leave the Red Bulls open to too much risk of losing him for nothing next winter.
There would also be the gamble of handing the goalkeeping duties to playoff hero but still inexperienced Danny Cepero. Cepero showed plenty of ability and potential, but he also has a grand total of six MLS games played (though four of them were playoff games and an MLS Cup final). Ultimately, it is a gamble the club will need to take because Conway's salary
Will this trade happen? Assuming the Red Bull power brokers in Salzburg approved the trading away of the Red Bulls second DP slot, It wouldn't shock me of some variation of this deal did take place. Chivas USA needs some star power and a goalkeeper, and could be one impact player away from being a title contender. The Red Bulls need to add a handful of quality players and this deal would be a big step toward building a stronger roster for 2009.
What do you think of the trade? Would you make the trade if you were the Red Bulls? How about if you were Chivas?
Share your thoughts below.
Nothing more than speculation…….boring!
Sounds like the idea of a RBNY supporter;
Chivas would (or should) never go for that trade…maybe if they’d found somebody who could replace Galindo, but they were unable to do so for the entire year. And a good left back is like gold in this league.
As compensation for that they’re supposed to take a goalie who can’t even practice with the team until a month into the season and the right to fork over ten to twenty times the money to replace one of the guys they just traded away?
I also support Naughty-ham Forest.
The quick positive reaction from Red Bull fans should be a tip-off that this deal is too one-sided to make sense.
There is a salary cap in MLS. If you are Chivas why would you trade two low-priced guys who are decent to load up your roster with higher-paid players.
I think this is a bit to dreamland on Ives’ part. I don’t see Chivas trading Bornstein.
Attention Jeff Agoos…
As sporting director, it’s your turn to actually do something. If you are in over your head (i think he is) simply look to others, like ives, for guidance. we’d hate for you to end up like your buddy, alexi lalas. at least that clown has talent and can join the circus (or be a shotgunning sideshow act for television)
I don’t like it; I don’t think the Red Bulls get enough in this deal.
I think the Red Bulls need/would benefit from two solid keepers, not one. I think that Galindo and Bornstein are prone to injury and will do us no good unable to play. I think the Red Bulls should use the DP slot to attract and a center midfielder.
Fire wouldn’t give Osorio conde ever- so get off the crack pipe!
Even if Bornstein is out next season we may be able to ship him in the summer and at least get some money for him but he would really have to impress the first half of the season b/c im not sure that many clubs will be willing to pay much for him
The fact that some RB fans love this deal and some hate it alone makes it an interesting proposition. I would hesitantly support it. If we can use the cap space to resign VDB and add a defender for depth, that would certainly be a good thing. We can worry about 2010 when the time comes, but that would give us a deep squad for 2009.
Obviously though, Chivas is not going to do this unless they have a pretty good idea for that DP slot.
Kennedy has impressed out here in LA. I’d be remiss to bench him for Conway, they’re about level in terms of skill in my opinion.
This idea makes too much sense. That means our beloved RB’s won’t do it.
As a RB fan I hope they do not make this trade. Like people have said already, Galindo is overrated, and Bornstein is a one year rental. If we absolutely have to trade the pick this off-season then try to get a bunch of draft picks.
I like the idea that someone came up with to tax a team if they go over the cap. Thats pretty much what MLB does, Yankees, Sox others just pay the luxury tax and it helps out small market teams while the big teams maintain their status. If MLS teams who are able to do that want to (RB, Galaxy, Seattle) than they should be able to. It doesnt guarantee success (See Rays in baseball) and it wont be detriment to the league if they can spread some wealth around.
Keep it up and you might get hired as the GM for the LA Galaxy. That is one of the worst trades for RBNY you could possibly suggest.
(1) Galindo is a sucker’s bet – always hurt.
(2) Bornstein is gone to Europe next January.
(3) More than half of the league’s first round draft picks have been out of the league in 3 years.
(4) Why would you throw an extra player in the mix. The DP spot is enough given Chivas current desperation for a Mexican DP.
Interesting proposition, but I’m not sure of trading for Galindo given his horrible injury problems last season. That would be trading a lot of value to Chivas for a guy that might not re-sign and another that might not play. Than NY would get no starters.
Perhaps a ratcheted down deal of DP slot to Chivas USA for Bornstein (but must re-sign) and Flores and swap 1st round draft picks.
I don’t like “blockbuster” deals in MLS, I like little deals that put together a good squad. The big deals are risky and prone to blowing up completely. Just ask Colorado how Christian Gomez worked out for them this season. Or how Amado Guevara worked out for Chivas USA the season before.