We won't break this down until we know if its official, although I will say that the last time people took a Tweet of Robbo to mean that he had been traded it turned out that he had simply sold his condo in London. So...I won't tell you why it's possibly a stupid move until it’s actually a move.
That said, the rumour is in line with what many of us have been told (and have reported) by reliable sources for some time. So, we’ll see.
UPDATE:
And seconds after I post, we've received news that he has officially been released and is on trial with the Red Bulls. If he sticks, TFC will get picks. If he doesn't, the Reds will hold his MLS rights for five years because the league is stupid that way.
I'm not happy to see a guy that commanded so much respect among younger players let go. I'm also not excited that his release will likely mean that Julian de Guzman is going to end up in a holding role, rather than in a box top box role.
That said, there is little doubt that TFC needed the cap room. So you will not be able to fully evaluate this move until you see who Mo Johnston brings in -- I've heard some speculation that Robbo's money would be used to bring Paul Dickov in during the summer window. So, we’ll see.
UPDATE 2:
Ryan Johnston of Sportsnet reported on Twitter that TFC would be required to cover part of Robbo's salary if he sticks with New York.
This doesn't surprise me as it's what I reported was likely back in January.
7 comments:
I'm not sad about this. Robbo's play really fell off last season. He's 33 years old and too expensive for what he did at TFC.
I know everyone talks about what a great guy he was in the locker room, but so what? TFC never made the playoffs in his three years and apparently the locker room was a mess last year despite his presence, according to rumours.
He's probably worth $100-150K in MLS terms based on comparisons to other players around the league, but not 300K.
And last season his passing was atrocious, he played no part in any build up play... he was a bit slower and rash in his challenges (particularly after some young kid beat him on a play).
Even if TFC has to pay 100K to NYRB for them to take him, the 200K can be better used elsewhere.
Duane, Is it safe to assume that Robo's contract is guaranteed, thus the need for TFC to pick up a portion??
If so, what if Energy Drink takes a pass on him?? Is it possible TFC would then be on the hook for 300,000k for a player they don't want?? Would they just send him home and pay him like the Blue Jays do??
The truth of the matter is everybody who played in the holding role last season looked atrocious, including JDG. Nobody (except perhaps Barret/Ricketts) were running off of the ball. There was almost always far too much space between the ball distributer and offensive players. It makes you wonder how much of the problem was coaching.
Although I do understand the financial end of it. I think it's a terrible decision for Toronto. I share your opinion that it would've been nice to see JDG in a more offensive role (as he's had with the national team). Perhaps Cronin or Sanyang will step it up and fill Robbos positional shoes. Although his leadership skills will be harder to replace. Good luck Robbo.
If TFC has no use for Robbo, I hardly think they'll care too much about eating his salary. They are making money hand over fist, so as long as it doesn't count against the cap, a buyout is no big deal.
I wish they'd use the same line of thinking with Nick Garcia.
Let's say they pay half his salary, so 150k. Considering MLS salaries, that means they could sign 3-7 depth players to fill the bench. That is something they desperately need.
Carl was a solid professional, a leader and a decent player. Chances are he was getting tired of the bullshit at TFC leading to him not playing as well last year. It is iffy to lose him, but since they have JDG and Cronin, the depth players they can sign are likely more important.
As for filling his spot, I kind of think TFC should look at Liverpool at this point. JDG and Cronin could fill the Mascherano + Lucas roles, with De Rosario in the Stevie G roaming attacker role. I think that'd suit De Ro nicely, while JDG would be able to play a box-to-box with Cronin doing most of the holding.
Having said that, TFC doesn't have a Torres, and they're pretty weak on the wings, so it might not work that well at this point...
Brian Burke took over as Toronto Maple Leafs GM and his first job is to explain to the fans what his approach to building the Buds will be.
Burke came to town and laid out in broad brushstrokes what his intentions were. He understood that it was important to make sure that the fan base of the Leafs at least felt that there was a plan and that there was some sort of logic/theme with the moves being made.
Mo Johnston has been the complete opposite of Brian Burke in this regard.
I am not naive enough to think that we will ever see from Mo anything like this. There have been moves made this off season in particular that scream out for this kind of context. Robbo getting let go in this particular way he has is just another in the long line of moves that make me scratch my head trying to place them into some sort of coherent picture or plan for the future of the club. I see no such plan. That is the greatest tragedy of all about this club. here we are in year four and we still have no real true idea of where this club is headed.
I wish Carl Robinson nothing but the best wherever he plays. I want to thank him for being the professional he has been for Toronto FC. You will be missed sir.
A lot of people who post on these blogs and in Supporters Forums may know things about football but are virtually ignorant of the MLS. Even run-of-the-mill sports journalists miss this.
For instance, in the Robinson deal, Sutton's rights as held by TFC were also traded to NYRB. There is probably more than one draft pick moving hands to Toronto.
If NYRB sign Robinson, then they assume full cap hit. To soften the deal Toronto with a large amount of allocation dollars will subsidize Robinson's salary. The real cap relief for TFC is $330,000. That is what is needed to buy Martin Saric and Vincent Kayizzi (both as Attacking Right Wingers) at $150,000 each.
I am not as sentimental for mediocre overpaid UK players, as some. I prefer the advancement of the common good of the Toronto team. I think this is a great move.
Garcia is next, but maybe not till June 30th when Dickov pops back in a Toronto uniform to launch us into the playoffs.
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