Good morning folks. It is the day before the 2009 MLS Draft, which generally goes down as the busiest day of the year for transactions. With draft pick trades, and deals for veterans flying, the chances are very good that your team will look very different two days from now.
This is what we have been hearing in the past day or so:
Seattle is openly courting offers for the No. 1 overall pick. So who might be in play for the pick? Sources tell SBI that Toronto has already made an offer while D.C. United and FC Dallas are also interested.
D.C. could be the most intriguing of the potential trade partners for Seattle. Currently holding the 6th and 7th picks in the first round, as well as 21 and 26 in the second round. D.C. covets Omar Gonzalez and could be tempted to package the No. 6, No. 7 and No. 21 for No. 1 and No. 16.
FC Dallas can offer Seattle the no. 5 and any one of its several young prospects, including Dax McCarty.
Another team looking to move up is Chivas USA, which desperately wants California goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Chivas USA could be tempted to dangle fullback Jonathan Bornstein in order to secure a high enough pick to draft the best goalkeeper available. If and when Chivas USa does deal Bornstein, they could wind up dealing for LA's Ante Jazic or Toronto FC's Todd Dunivant as a replacement.
Now, onto some non-draft news:
With Colorado desperately looking to unload disgruntled former MLS MVP Christian Gomez, the Rapids just might have a suitor in New England. According to a source (and you can stick this under the category of rumor rather than deal close to being done), the Revs could be interested in acquiring the Argentine playmaker for a package including one of New England's first-round draft picks (10 and 15). The Rapids would also likely have to pay a portion of Gomez' contract, which has one year left at the league non-DP maximum.
So why would the Revs take a chance on Gomez? Why not? The Revs have four picks in the first 25 in the draft so they can afford to deal one or two of them. They could also use a player with Gomez' creativity, which could allow Mauricio Castro to float in on the left. You might also recall that Revs coach Stevie Nicol coached Gomez at last summer's MLS All-Star Game. It's probably a long-shot, but don't be shocked if it happened.
The Red Bulls have agreed to terms with Los Angeles on a trade for Mike Magee. According to sources, the deal will seond the Red Bulls a conditional second-round pick for Magee.
The Red Bulls have been very busy making deals. They bought the rights to Mac Kandji's and will have him for 2009. The club also agreed to terms with defender Mike Petke on a new contract. Petke was a free agent, acquired by the Red Bulls in the Waiver Draft.
That's all for now. I will be posting some Post-Combine stories throughout the afternoon before departing for St. Louis. For now, feel free to share your thoughts on these stories in the comments section below.