Let's Talk Expansion Draft

Ferreira is such a question mark right now. I think he gets protected, but we really have no idea how much this lengthy absence from the game will have affected his performance. I’m sure he will eventually return to form, but not sure he’s going to be a sufficient return on investment in the meantime. We’ll see.

Hope we learned from letting Dax go for nothing, and don’t add George John to that list without collecting a hefty transfer fee from the EPL.

Galindo, Guarda, and Hall need to go. Trend of poor performance from all three. Would like to hear some assessment from training on Stewart and Edward (injured all season), but I doubt either will be protected, or selected by Montreal. Not impressed with Daniel Cruz. Jury is still out on Santos – not performing and doubtful he will be “the answer” we need up front, but perhaps that will change with more time to adapt to the team or a change in style/formation. And I guess that pretty much tells the story of 2011. With the exception of Castillo (who we paid a fortune for by this club’s budget) and Jacobson, we accomplished very little in our acquisitions, and I stand by the claim that we lost a lot in Avila and Alexander…and well, Marosevic hasn’t done too bad for himself at TFC either has he? Villar and Warshaw may add their names to the honor roll in time, but Ricardo had too much injury-hampered performance to say, and Bobby had too little field time, though his performance in the Reserve League was good.

So here’s the protected list as I see it, mostly mirrors the 2010 roster that took us to the MLS Cup final:

Ferreira
Castillo
Loyd
John
Ihemelu
Jackson
Hartman
Hernandez
Jacobson
Shea
Chavez

Benitez, Santos, and Seitz are the biggest risks for Montreal’s pick…unless Coach Hyndman is willing to part ways with Daniel Hernandez in favor of one of these three, who despite their long history and his many contributions to this club, is probably one of the weaker spots on the roster right now. Due to age, it might even be fairly safe to leave Hernandez unprotected. But that is a gamble, and he still contributes more than Benitez, Santos, or Seitz.

Really hoping Santos doesn’t get taken. I think he can have a break out year with Ferreira back in the show.

Protect
1. Ferreiera- regardless of what rust he will show, he is better than anyone else on the squad
2. Hartman- still the best and most under rated keeper in MLS
3. Brek Shea- talks of EPL means we have to hang on to sell him for the big money
4. Jacobson- pound for pound the best acquisition this year and the team struggled without him
5. Hernandez- reaching the twilight years but can easily move to back line if mobility is an issue
6. Castillo- product of the future
7. Loyd- just an amazing back and so mature for his years
8. Ugo- great composure and it will be tough to find him a new partner with George John certainly leaving
9. Ricardo Villar- this guy needs to take our free kicks from now on
10. Chavez- hardest choice for me. If he had a better first touch then he would be awesome
11. Bruni Guarda- sure this must shock plenty. He showed the will to fight for a win when nobody else did this year. He certainly isn’t the most skilled but his heart is in it.

I think Santos would struggle no matter what. From what I am hearing, he isn’t getting on with the rest of the team and he needs to go in favor of a major Forward signing… PLEASE!!!

1 – no question they’ll be protected:
Shea
Loyd
John – for transfer fee alone
Castillo – fast, young, promising
Chavez – fast, young, promising, and contributes already
Ugo – when they extend someone, they’ll keep him
Benitez – when they extend someone, they’ll keep him
Jacobsen – when they extend someone, they’ll keep him
Jackson – just too talented to let go for free

2 – On the bubble (would kinda suck if unprotected then picked by Montreal):
Ferreira – I don’t think Montreal would spend 600k on a guy that hasn’t recovered from a nasty injury, but the FO probably doesn’t want to risk the former MVP
Hernandez – I’d be shocked if an expansion team thought a 35 year old with bad knees was a good player to build around
Hartman – Again, would be odd for an expansion team to take someone this old
Warshaw – showed some promise, and it’s preferable to hold onto young guys like that
Cruz – had some promising moments, might have a Ferreira-like breakout once he gets used to MLS
Santos – Only experienced forward on the roster, but wasn’t very effective past the first couple games
Villar – similar to Cruz, but breakout seems less likely

3 – FCD will absolutely leave them unprotected, and will be fine if they’re taken:
Hall
Guarda – effort isn’t very valuable without skill or potential
Seitz – good, yes, but not valuable when he played one game and gave up 4 goals.
Stewart – not a bad utility backliner, but no where near as good as other options
Galindo
Edward

Of the on-the-bubble guys, I’d lean toward protecting Ferreira and Cruz, with Warshaw and Hartman the hardest cuts. I’d be shocked if I’m wrong about my group 1 and group 3. Hyndman and Gorman will probably sort out the bubble based on their observation of those guys talent, potential, and attitude weighed against Montreal’s likely appetite for those guys and their contracts.

Or if Hyndman or Gorman see a big attitude problem in one of the talented, valuable protected players (maybe Jackson) they could trade him for another clubs unprotected guy and a promise not to draft any other Red Stripe.