More Thoughts on Protected List

So Moffat, Evans, Noonan, Gaven, Lenhart, and Garey are not protected.

I think this is a two horse race to who Seattle picks between Evans and Gaven. Moffat may be better than Evans but he has been injured for most of the year and although I have faith that he could step in and do it for a full year in 2009, it probably isn't enough for Seattle. I hope they don't go for Moffat. I want to see him back in the yellow next year.

Really if getting rid of Gaven's $200,000 dollar salary means we can bring Ekpo along as a right mid and mature him enough to make him the starter at right mid next year then I'm down with that. Ekpo is too much of a talent to leave on the bench. He deserves an opportunity to mature into a starter next year. If both Evans and Gaven stayed it would be impossible for him to start.

Ljuenberg is a right mid and so is Eddie Gaven. But, Eddie Gaven is versatile enough to play just about any midfield position including left mid.

If Evans goes then we got Moffat back as the starter. Which might be even better for us. If Sigi goes to Seattle expect him to pick Evans.

And, I would like to keep Gaven, but if it free's up more money for the return of Guillermo, Sigi, and possibly Chad then I'm slighty cool with it.

---------------Moreno-----------------
----------------GBS-------------------
Rogers------Moffat/Evans----------Ekpo
----------------Carroll---------------
Padula----Marshall----O'Rourke--Hejduk
----------------Hesmer----------------

Who knows maybe that will free up some money and if Marshall(how much does Marshall make?) heaven forbid goes to Europe and Iro can do the job. Then we might have enough to sign another striker or defender along with keeping GBS and maybe Sigi.

I'm also not sure if the Noonan idea was a good one. 0 minutes in playoffs and only a couple games off the bench with 1 goal and 1 assist. He might deserve more time. But, I rather have Ekpo start at right mid next year and Noonan would be great off the bench. But, would he be willing to come off the bench all year? I doubt it. If GBS doesn't stay because we can't afford him, then I figure though that Noonan will just slide into his position.

But, it's vitally important for us to hold onto GBS until he has no more legs. 2 more years with GBS means more championships.

I think if I had to clear up money, I would be okay with letting Gaven go, sliding Ekpo in. If Marshall goes to Europe fine. If not he starts happily again for us. And, I would give up Noonan for cash for like another cheap talented striker and cheap talented defender if Noonan isn't a starter.

Lots of variables out there though, just early speculation.