MLS Hot Stove: Suggesting a blockbuster

 

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.