So....Researching the Ibarra thing...curious how you find that he wouldn't be a DP. It is my understanding that transfer fee's are integrated into the players salary cap hit (which is why you see LOTS of free transfers in MLS).
In general, the total amount of the acquisition cost of a player is charged against the salary budget in the year in which it is paid. For one player on a club’s roster (a “Special Discovery Player”), a club is able to amortize the total amount of acquisition costs (transfer fee) over the term of the player’s contract. The amortized amount and the player’s salary cannot exceed the Maximum Salary Budget Charge.
This is the reason Alvaro Fernandez was a DP when he came to the Sounders. It wasn't due to his contract, it was the combination of his contract and transfer fee. Ibarra being more expensive than Fernandez, I would assume this would make Ibarra a DP, unless allocation funds were used to buy down below the threshold...which could be difficult because there is only around 4 million in allocation funds in the league.....
This is issue has sort of been resolved with the introduction of TAM, but Ibarra was sold before that introduction occurred.
That being said, I understand your point and use of Ibarra as an example, Si.
I see how it can appear the Sounders are short-sighted in these signings...and thats because they 100% are. These signings are about ensuring we make the playoffs. Which given the last 6 weeks is absolutely necessary, and reactionary.
The team needs an infusion of fresh blood. I would have preferred younger players. But the players we acquired should be able to solidify the team in the short term. Will they be better than Pineda and Barrett? Maybe. Hopefully. We spent money on them. So hope they are. At the same team, the signings don't necessarily mortgage our financial future.
That being said, only a handful of names of young sounders were thrown out in Fisher, Jones and Kovar...who have been 3 stand outs of S2...which is where we are signing our young talent. All are U-25, most U-23. Not to mention Academy players get minutes here and there on the team.
Oalex Anderson, a 19 year old Saint Vincent international, has been tearing it up for club and country. 8 Goals in 14 appearances for his national team alone. Fast, nimble, and has a few tricks up his sleeve too. Really exciting player.
Pablo Rossi also likely has a first team future. 23 years old, attacking midfielder. Set piece specialist. 7 Goals in 20 games this season, I think 3 of those from free kicks. Good with the ball at his feet too.
Kind of feel like I'm rambling...but point is. We have youth. Its just not with the first team. They are developing. S2 and Academy. A TON of focus has been put on that area of the organization and should yield results soon. The Academy has really only now come out of its first "class" of true academy players. Players brought into the system young and coached from their. Yedlin and Morris aren't even apart of that. They had already developed elsewhere before the Sounders academy was established....
Anyway....I'm disappointed we haven't signed Morris. He is exactly what we need...but I feel we've done everything we can to get him. Just doesn't want to sign right now. Perhaps in the winter.
