Tuesday's Daily: Working The Draft

By J Hutcherson -- For those of you that need reminding, last year Seattle got Nate Jaqua and Brad Evans in the expansion draft. It wasn't much of a surprise that both became regular contributors. James Riley also ended up playing in most of the games over Seattle's first season, but he's right back on the unprotected list for the third year running.

If you consider last year's unprotected list stronger than this year's, and you should, Philadelphia ends up in an interesting position on Wednesday. The obvious move would be to follow Seattle's lead, cherry pick the two or three obvious players, and then try to fill in your depth chart.

Only that's not going to be so easy. This year's unprotected list has too many 'what if' scenarios. What if the player returns to form being the obvious one, but there's also what if he chooses not to sign a new MLS contract. That knocks out enough of the "yes, pick him' selections to leave Philadelphia without an obvious choice. In other words, there isn't a Nate Jaqua. There might not even be a Brad Evans.

The Union would be making a considerable risk in picking up a high contract player with the expectation that he'll re-sign at a lower dollar amount. They're also playing into the plans of existing clubs if they select an older player with no intention of playing in Philadelphia.

Now we've got a significantly shorter list with the same problem Seattle faced last season. From what's left, who has a decent shot of contributing even in an expansion situation. Colorado has offered up Pat Noonan, and that's a solid choice. It's not a splashy selection like Jaqua, but of all who are available he seems the most likely to be someone a club can build around.

As for the rest, Philadelphia should be looking to avoid problems. You don't want the expansion draft story to be people who aren't interested in playing for your club. You also don't want it to be allowing other clubs to float players they want to keep.

Trade value - or, more to the point, trade back value - isn't as important as it should be due to changing coaches at too many clubs. At the same time, there are players here who are worth more to other clubs than they should be to Philadelphia.

The rest of MLS is already playing that thinking against the Union, putting up players with local connections to the area.  All things considered, that has to be weighed against tickets sold and the handful of positive articles that would bring.  It only makes sense if it's a guy you think will work in your setup. 

Figuring that out is the first big test. Get it right and Philadelphia could use the draft for more than just a couple of potential starters and the bulk of their bench. They could use it to make things difficult for other clubs. 

Comments, questions, solutions to problems that have yet to present themselves.  Please, tell me all about it.