Danny Cruz's Contract Option Not Picked Up for 2012
by Zach Woosley on Dec 21, 2011 11:49 AM CST
in Signings, Trades & Transfers
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Lost in all the hullabaloo surrounding the MLS Re-Entry Draft was the news that not only did midfielder Danny Cruz graduate from Generation adidas, his contract option was not picked up.
According to MLS Insider, Cruz will be out of contract at the end of the year and is generating interest from a couple European clubs. The Dynamo retain his rights and could still negotiate a new contract of course, but everyone is being fairly tight lipped at this point.
"His option wasn't picked up by MLS," Cruz rep Mike Gartland told MLSsoccer.com. "There are some teams that have interest, but nothing concrete yet."
Houston declined to comment on Cruz when contacted by MLSsoccer.com.
This news stayed off the radar since Cruz had not yet accumulated enough time in MLS to be eligible for the re-entry draft process. Add to that the maelstrom created after Brian Ching was selected by the Impact and this story quietly got post basically everyone.
The right side of the midfield is the one spot that Houston needs someone to step up and claim as their own. Danny Cruz, Colin Clark and Je-Vaughn Watson all spent time there last season but no player ever emerged as "The Number One" guy. Chris Canetti talked about the importance of solidifying that position in an interview with Darrell Lovell so you know the wheels are turning.
Have we see the last of Danny Cruz in orange?
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my guess is they are trying to re-sign him for less than the option was
I love Danny’s energy and heart, but his play can be inconsistent. Still relies on trying to run past people too much. I would hate to see him leave, but I would understand.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
by papabear on Dec 21, 2011 12:35 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Sad but true
if we’re cutting to the quick then you hit it on the head papa: I love what Cruz brings but he still has that inconsistent/wild/brain lapse play about him that you hope to see turn the corner this year. We have options there in Dixon or Clark (assuming he’s alive and under contract) if push comes to shove…I’d love to see Cruz stay but at the same time I like how the Dynamo are angling for flexibility: if he plays himself into a new contract here then brilliant, if not then he’s likely trade bait during the transfer window. There are loads of teams willing to take a young and still-promising midfielder with loads of energy.
Best of luck to Danny and I hope his plays earns him a new contract here, but we’ll see what happens
I agree guys. Big salary for a player that hasn’t taken over his position and is injured a fair amount.
--
Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory
by Zach Woosley on Dec 21, 2011 12:55 PM CST up reply actions
and i was sure i would get hammered on this
The thing is, there’s probably not any other player on the roster I want to succeed more. His enthusiasm is just Infectious.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
by papabear on Dec 21, 2011 1:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
As the Joker once said...
Still, as a Generation Adidas graduate, rather than club member, he’s got a hefty salary. True story, as Cruz has come past me on the right side, on more than one occasion, I have found myself yelling, “Go Danny! Now don’t screw it up this time!” Followed quickly by “Ah. He didn’t listen.”
Don;t get me wrong. I like Cruz, and he got better as the season went along this year. Once he got back from his midseason injury, he was much better. I think he could be pretty damn good over there. But that’s a lot of coin, in MLS terms, for “could be.” We’ll see what happens, but I’ve got to think he’ll be back here next year, if he’s anywhere in MLS.
Of course, sign a right-sided midfield stud, and this could all become a quick chorus of “Danny who?”
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
Well
again I’m having my hopes tempered, particularly by Canetti’s statement of us basically still not having alot of coin to go after talent. So look for more Caribbean and Central American talent to come on trial, though he might even try going through the “record crate” that is the NASL.
All that being said, I’d love for Cruz to be the guy at RM and have Dixon as a sub there…as much as I love getting grief about my man-crush on Dixon, he’s not ready to take the stage but who will at this point?
Related but not
in all likelihood, any change in ownership will happen after the 2012 season, right? Considering pre-season is right around the corner I can’t imagine we’d change owners mid-season, unless they’re loaded and ready to open the checkbook immediately (as I imagine its an involved process in changing ownership of an MLS club). I bring this up in reference to Canetti’s interview and how we still are operating shrewdly in terms of what we can spend on outside talent…if Cruz et al can’t assume the mantle of The RM we should look around or south of the Equator, though of course we’re limited in means.
I think that everyone just about covered it
He’s talented and young, but still mistake prone and a hefty contract hasn’t been earned for a position he’s still trying to lay claim to.
Let’s hope we re-sign him for less because he has a lot of potential. He just needs to develop his intelligence and vision on the field.
Another mistake by the Dynamo's
Clark does not have the wheels Danny has. Danny does not have the stats but we all remember what the dynamo’s did without him and with him. Clark is a solid back up but i am not sure he is a starter. Could Clark play in the middle? We need Watson to back up the middle right now. Dixon could help here but we did not give him the playing time because the Dynamo did not think he was ready. Watson needs to be traded and the Dynamo will save more money. Dixon needs more playing time.
Go Dynamo’s
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