2019 MLS Players eligible for Waiver Draft, Re-Entry Draft and Free Agency

Yesterday MLS announced the list of players eligible for Waivers, Re-Entry Draft and Free Agency. Why are there three lists? Because this is MLS and nothing is ever that simple when it comes to player acquisition.

On Monday, things will kick off for all three of these mechanisms, and like every year, there are some intriguing names available. Here’s a breakdown on how it all works, who’s available and who catches my eye.

This past Thursday was MLS’ deadline for teams to exercise contract options for the 2020 season.

Players are eligible as free agents if they are out of contract, at least 28 years old and have played at least eight season in the league.

Players then who are at least 23 years old, have three years in the league and their contract option were not exercised are then available for the re-entry pool. A team can select a player from this pool at their option salaries for 2019.

Out of contract players who are at least 25 years old, with four years of experience in MLS can also go into the re-entry pool. The other difference is that they can be signed for at least their 2019 salaries.

If you don’t meet those requirements, then you’re kicked into the waiver pool like unwanted leftovers.

The waiver mechanism kicks off on Monday, November 25 at 2pm CT. Teams make their selections like they would in a typical sports draft; in reverse order of the previous season’s results in the standings. Nashville SC and Inter Miami will select last because of the Expansion Draft. After the waiver process has come and gone, free agency opens up and the frenzy will ensue.

The re-entry draft will follow the same draft order as the waiver process and will come in two stages. Why two stages? Because this is MLS. Stage 1 of the re-entry draft takes place on Tuesday November 26 at 2pm CT. Any player not selected during the initial stage will be available again in Stage 2, which won’t happen until Tuesday, December 3.

As Drew pointed out, none of us are expecting Dallas to participate in the Waiver Draft this time given the roster needs and who’s available. There are occasionally a rare diamond in the rough for these kinds of things, as Dallas was able to claim Maxi Urruti off waivers in 2015.

Here’s who’s caught my eye:

Juan Agudelo

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He’s 27, so no longer a young player but rather should be entering his prime as a striker. Given Dallas’ needs up top, for the right price, Agudelo could do well in Dallas being paired up with Michael Barrios, Jesus Ferreira and Paxton Pomykal. To me, there’s still some untapped potential in Agudelo that just needs to coached out of him. Perhaps the touch of Luchi will do the trick?

Drew Moor

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Yeah, he’s 35 but the Dallas native and former FC Dallas player could fit the bill as a solid backup option. Reliable centerbacks are rare in this league, and if you can get one for the right price and with tons of experience, why not?

Bradford Jamieson IV

Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Jamieson is still just 23, with plenty of soccer left in him. Is he MLS level? I don’t know but Dallas needs scoring options, so why not take a flyer on a former promising youth international? Injuries have slowed down his progress and he was unable to crack the lineup in LA, but maybe a fresh start with North Texas would rejuvenate him.