Chasing Carlos Costly, The Right Guy or a Desperate Move
by Zach Woosley on Aug 3, 2011 12:06 PM CDT
in Signings, Trades & Transfers
Email
Print
Rumors are swirling that the Houston Dynamo are working to secure the services of Honduran striker Carlos Costly ahead of the closing of MLS's summer transfer window on August 15th. With Will Bruin on the shelf for at least a month and Calen Carr still recovering from a concussion, it certainly makes sense for Houston to be looking to add a forward, but is this the type of player they need or a desperate attempt to just get someone signed this summer?
Costly is a good player, a tall target forward with decent agility and the ability to hold the ball up. That's certainly not a bad thing but is it what the offense needs? Brian Ching plays a similar style and would having the two of them on the field together really work? What the Dynamo need is speed and Costly doesn't really bring that. Without Danny Cruz available for the next 4 to 6 weeks with a quad injury, there is a serious lack of any real attacking speed that Kinnear seems willing to play.
Therein lies my concern. Costly likely wouldn't hurt the Dynamo's attempts to make the playoffs but it just doesn't seem to really solve any of the core issues facing this roster right now.
If anything, it feels a lot more like a desperate move by the front office to make sure they get someone signed before the transfer window closes and why not a guy whose fans help fill up Robertson back in May for a friendly between Honduras and El Salvador. Maybe I'm over thinking this, but a big target forward really doesn't seem like the type of player the Dynamo needs right now.
Another factor to consider is the financial side of a potential deal. Whether Costly would join the Dynamo as a designated player or not is up in the air, but either way he'll be a significant hit on the salary cap. There should be some allocation money to pay down the impact, but I don't see Costly coming cheap...It's taking all my willpower to avoid a variety of puns here.
You could argue that this team needs depth up front and bringing in a player with the track record of Costly is a good move no matter what the bigger needs are...and you'd be right. In fact, there may not be a legitimate speedy forward/central midfielder out there willing to come to MLS and/or Houston.
What say you Dynamo fans? Is Costly the right guy or another signing with ulterior motives connected to trying to sell more tickets?
36 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
He's a good player even if he's not the perefect compliment to what we already have
I would prefer someone who brought a change of pace to our attack, but with Bruin out this makes sense. I saw on twitter that this would not be a DP deal…if that’s the case I am fine with it. If it is a DP deal my opinion changes.
He raises the overall talent level on this team. Maybe he can take the load off Ching allowing him to hopefully stay healthy. Both of those are good things. If this is a deal they can get done than get it done. He’s too old to be a player that we build around(or sell for a profit), but he’s not over the hill either. If the reports are true we would have a team option for next year, which mean it’s a low risk move. If he helps this season they can keep around, if not they can walk away relatively pain free.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
we negotiated with him in june but walked away becuase he wanted DP money.
So there is no way he comes for DP money, but there is also no way he comes for less than 175K in my opinion
I suspect we make some moves within MLS soon. such as getting trading Weaver or Garey for some allocation money to ease the "Costly" signing (too easy).
Another thing to take away is that we are signing a quality player for non DP money, that leads me to believe that we are going to spend big on a CAM.
I wish we could have swung De Ro back to Houston during this crazy shuffle he has had this season.
I thought of that...
that what if we could’ve brought back DeRo, but it could be tricky between his salary, his desire and the fact that there are expectations based on past performance which may or may not happen again…just a thought
As to your thoughts on perhaps moving Weaver or Garey that’s an interesting thought that I could see happening, and would also lead me to believe we would spend big on a CAM (which would be smart)
Also, did anyone see that we were reportedly looking at Antonio Briseno? I asked around if this was just agent-driven fluff or a real pursuit…which begs the question of why we would want a young (though undeniably talented) defender
Hits all the right points
I think its a home-run in the sense that, as you touched on Ginge, it covers several bases:
1) It provides relief (and honestly, an upgrade) for Bruin’s absence seeing as that I think Costly’s skill-set is a combination of Ching & Bruin. Ching is just as well as a target man, but Costly still has some pace and legs on him and enough agility to keep opposing CBs busy.
2) Box Office hit. Perhaps it wasn’t a primary or even secondary factor, but it sure as hell is a happy bonus. What’s that you say, Honduras will be in town soon? What luck
3) Non-DP. Yes he will likely cost but he won’t take up the DP slot and as papabear pointed out, if things don’t work out at the end of the season we both part ways and hopefully he continues on elsewhere and we have flexibility to pursue other options.
I agree with the general opinion that while its not a game-changer, it certainly doesn’t hurt at all. A very solid move and if we can add a CAM then it becomes all the more shrewd a signing.
Slightly off topic: ok I wanted to float an idea (that may not be such a stretch but is): Ching as a sort of false CAM/quasi-trequartista? He isn’t a midfielder per se, but he controls the ball well, distributes it well around the box and has a generally great touch and feel for the pass. Just sayin’ is all…I doubt it would ever be tried with Watson coming back and presumably the FO still hard at work on finding one (cough cough) but still, if I had FIFA or PES or the like I might give it a shot.
Oh yeah
Well done Ginge on resisting the temptation to use “Costly” puns…as there is definitely motive and opportunity available :)
Interesting....
It could be an option. I’ve really been dissapointed with Watson thus far. Maybe Moffat paired with Watson could be good. Afterall, Cameron had his best game paired with Moffat
I thought Moffat really provided a lift
Palmer always played more as a fifth defender than a holding mid breaking up plays in the midfield. It really helped Cameron as well. I’m not saying the problem is solved, but a step in the right direction.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
I agree with that
No matter what happens at the CAM, having Moffat grow more comfortable at the DM is part of the solution. Even having Cameron at CAM Moffat was really helping him out, so presumably with Watson returning to CAM we’ll see how those two work together.
i saw the Briseno headline
on mls rumors.net. but i just dont see any substance. apparently spanish teams are having a look at him too. sort of doubt that one, though maybe a loan from whatever team he is signed to in Mexico
Thought it strange
That we would be pursuing a young defender…Briseno is talented but I don’t think he improves anything we have other than being younger.
I don't see that happening
Teams I saw linked to him were Liverpool, Everton, and Dynamo. One of those things is not like the other. I don’t think there is anything to that report. If there were, my guess is that the dynamo were hoping they could sneak in and seel him for a nice profit in a few years. A player already getting that much attention doesn’t need MLS as a springboard.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
Anybody remember our "association" with Liverpool?
Paul Dalglish opened up a Dynamo Academy that had permission to use Liverpools training methods and what not. Essentially he opened a Dynamo/Liverpool Academy. If Liverpool is our only real threat, then maybe there’s some agreement in place for him to train there, or play with us, until Liverpool decides they want him.
by foreverorange25 on Aug 3, 2011 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Huh
I honestly forgot all about that, do you know if its still an active association? That would be a very nice thought as Liverpool have been playing some very attractive football lately and their youth academy has been putting out some real quality young players
Knowing Kinnear
we can assume that the midfield will be the same as the game winning one against seattle. the only change i can imagine is Weaver up top with Ching. Costly is not signed yet but is expected to be done by thursday. Though i bet he makes his debut at home against portland. IF HE SIGNS
Briseno
Ya, i dont give it any confidence. im sure that will fizzle out very quickly
Tryout OOC players
Good signing as we have little choice- for whatever reason, our owners refuse to ante up for a transfer kitty, so we’re always looking at out of contract (OOC) players.
This is essentially a tryout with option clause for next season.
Face it, Ching-Weaver leaves us one dimensional and Ching is pretty brittle anyway- the way he completely sacrifices his body in, oh so many ways, it’s just a matter of time before he drops again.
My big question is- did we ever approach OOC Diego Madrigal?
Face it, if we don’t ever pony up transfer funds, these are the BEST deals we’ll ever make.
Or did we ACTUALLY use non-monopoly $$$ to get Palmer and Watson.
That would be unbelievable- using our kitty for bench wood.
I think
you and (I believe) papabear have touched on this before that we seem to be jumble-sale connoisseurs extraordinaire
Is it because we got burned by Landin and are now gun-shy to allocate serious DP money or is it that AEG is giving us the shaft? Or is there just not enough to go around? I don’t know, but its going to keep us either middle-of-the-pack or lucky/unlucky. Now, that may be a way to play poker or the lottery but perhaps not how you’d want to run a professional sports franchise (except maybe the Texans)
Who knows? We may find a steal of a player who is OOC. We may find a dud of a player who is OOC. But, generally you get what you pay for. And if we’re going to play it relatively cheap, don’t be alarmed with the results…paying more doesn’t always get you more, but it damn sure increases the odds in your favor
Yup
It’s like going to a half-price book store- if you get really lucky they’ll have what you’re looking for. It’s much more likely you’ll buy something that you weren’t exactly looking for.
you have to be very carefull with DP
I can understand them being cautious. If a guy doesn’t have a “name” you have to be 100% sure he is going to make a big impact. You don’t want some young hotshot coming in with a big head unless you know he’s going to work hard and win over his teammates immediately with his play. If not, it won’t take long before guys like Ching, Davis, and young guys looking for a raise start resisting him making 3 x, or more, what they make.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
by papabear on Aug 3, 2011 7:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Of course
and that’s been expressed as well, that understandably we might be more cautious (or apprehensive?) after the Landin and Koke episodes; that’s certainly fair, but at some point you have to be willing to spend more money to increase your chances of landing a quality player. Of course, it may not work out but again, you generally get a player of higher quality as you go up in price.
Costly
presents a case study: he’s outside the middle (maybe to the right) of the cost-benefit risk matrix: his cost is higher than most MLS salaries (or at least in the higher percentile) but his quality is also in the higher percentile. But, he has a “reputation” of being, well, underwhelming on the whole for club with enough flashes of excellence to keep his name up there. So yes, there’s certainly an elevated risk that his attitude may alienate the rest of the team, but the price is within I think an acceptable range that you’re not putting yourself in a position where you can exit the situation without handicapping the team
Also
We could’ve had Luke Summerfield, a central midfielder formerly of Plymouth Argyle in the English Championship division…, 6’0", 23 y/o and lots of experience there and came up through a good youth system, links up well with the defensive and has great passing to his wings and forwards…I think he could’ve been had for about $800K. I know its DP-level, but he is good and young. Released by the club because they went into administration (bankrupt, effectively) and I think he’s about to be signed by Chelttenham.
Again, if we’re going the cheap-ish route there is talent out there…if we don’t find something like this and other players we’ve mentioned by 15 August it’ll show how out of depth and touch the FO is. I hope I’m being wrong and hysterical but the time of reckoning is soon at hand
Wow
JdJO just tweeted that we’re nearing a deal with attacking midfielder Luiz Henrique Camargo (Brazilian) from Parana…I think we tried earlier to sign him but were unsuccessful. Wow, don’t want to jinx it but he could be the link, he’s young, great skill, if it all works out plus we land Costly suddenly things get much brighter
Camargo?
You mean Kinnear’s very first option? The first person he found through his first scouting trip? The one he was so excited for that he didn’t want to release any information on, and didn’t want to try his luck with a trial? If I remember correctly bring him. I guess those “big clubs” that were going to sign him never followed through.
by foreverorange25 on Aug 3, 2011 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Why yes
That would be one and the same Camargo. Funny how time changes things; I’m assuming before we were perhaps told to piss off and now the situation has changed for Clube Parana? Who knows, all I know is if we can get his pen to the paper I’ll be a happy clam
LOL Thanks for the memories and rationaizations- forgot that...
Reality counseling for Dom. Break through that adamant denial Orange!
Paranoid
I’m seeing this activity and hoping we can sign both Costly and Camargo yet why do I keep get this nagging feeling that even if they both come over we shouldn’t rest on our laurels? Perhaps its years of having to do planning that you always have a backup of your backup (and perhaps even a backup of that) but I think we should still be looking for another CAM and perhaps a winger…now if we go trawling lower international leagues or backup MLS talent or go the NASL route I’m happy with that. And yes, we need to be actively shopping Freeman and Boz…I know the team has been trying to do that and in their defense, it will be a task to find a team that will take either considering their contracts, but PT Barnum said what he said for a reason.
I hope this isn’t misconstrued that I’m impossible to please (not that it matters one whit to the FO), its just it would be prudent to have a backup plan. Yes, getting another forward and CAM is exactly what we need and if it happens, kudos to Canetti et al. But again, if we part ways with Costly after the season or Camargo doesn’t work out we need something to fill that gap, and if we have a bird in hand its much better than going out on the search for another.
/Why yes I could use a cup of coffee, why do you ask?
The waiting is the hardest paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaart.....
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZII’m at the point where coffee only pisses me off.
all quiet
….which I hope is good? guess we’ll find out this afternoon, Canetti sounded like he wanted to make proclamations tomorrow so I’d imagine the deadline is today
Let's hope Canetti can play the game like Rick Smith did in NFL FA period
Houston, we have liftoff in T minus 60
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Dynamo Theory
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
