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In four days MLS will conclude it's 2012 Re-Entry Draft, so it's time for another look at the Galaxy's contract situation. This time I've ordered the chart by guaranteed compensation (2012), and added in a column for minimum 2013 cap hit. I understand the minimum raise to be 5% with the option year raises to be 10% or 12.5% depending on playing time. Of course, raises can be much more than that.
As we learn anything, this chart will be updated, but as of now these are the things we know:
- MLS Salary budget next year will be $2,950,500.
- The minimum salary for a senior roster player will be $46,000
- The DP charge against the budget will be $367,000
As far as the roster is concerned, this is what we know. The numbers are an attempt to show who was counting as a senior roster player at the end of the 2012 season (1-20). As of now, it appears that seven six senior roster slots will be open; David Beckham's DP spot, three players who had their options declined, and two players out of contract. If indeed Wilhelmsson is pursuing other options, that would be eight seven senior roster slots open. *Update: Buddle's salary was incorrect *Update: Perk has re-signed at a lower salary link.
| Player Name | Base Salary '12 ($) | Guaranteed '12 ($) | Contract Status | 2013 Cap Hit (min.) |
| 1. David Beckham | 3,000,000.00 | 4,000,000.00 | Option | None |
| 2. Robbie Keane | 2,917,241.00 | 3,417,242.75 | Two Years | $367,000 |
| 3. Landon Donovan | 2,400,000.00 | 2,400,000.00 | One Year | $367,000 |
| 4. Omar Gonzalez | 180,000.00 | 257,000.00 | One Year | $269,850 |
| 5. Edson Buddle | 225,000.00 | 225,000.00 | One Year | $236,250 |
| 6. Chad Barrett | 220,000.00 | 253,333.33 | Declined | none |
| 7. Sean Franklin | 205,000.00 | 228,333.33 | One Year | $239,750 |
| 8. Cristian Wilhelmsson | 168,000.00 | 190,650.00 | Option | $200,182.50 |
| 9. Marcelo Sarvas | 135,000.00 | 161,875.00 | One Year | $169,968.75 |
| 10. Todd Dunivant | 140,000.00 | 146,750.00 | One Year | $154,087.50 |
| 11. Leonardo | 90,000.00 | 131,250.00 | ? year(s) | $137,812.50 |
| 12. Mike Magee | 124,135.00 | 126,635.00 | Free | none |
| 13. A.J. DeLaGarza | 90,000.00 | 112,500.00 | One Year | $118,125 |
| 14. Brian Perk | 76,000.00 | 110,100.00 | Re-signed | less than 2012 |
| 15. Michael Stephens | 72,050.00 | 93,300.00 | ? year(s) | $97,965 |
| Jack McBean | 70,000.00 | 91,000.00 | Homegrown | none |
| 16. Josh Saunders | 74,545.00 | 77,678.75 | Free | none |
| Adam Cristman | 75,000.00 | 75,000.00 | Retired | none |
| 17. Pat Noonan | 70,000.00 | 70,000.00 | Declined | none |
| 18. Dan Keat | 46,200.00 | 68,700.00 | ? year(s) | $72,135 |
| 19. Andrew Boyens | 62,500.00 | 65,783.33 | Declined | none |
| 20. Juninho | 50,000.00 | 65,625.00 | Loan Expires | none |
| Bill Gaudette | 60,000.00 | 63,255.00 | Traded | |
| 21. Tommy Meyer | 44,000.00 | 57,750.00 | Rookie | |
| 22. Bryan Jordan | 55,000.00 | 55,000.00 | Declined | |
| 23. Kyle Nakazawa | 51,150.00 | 51,150.00 | Declined | |
| 24. David Junior Lopes | 47,250.00 | 47,250.00 | ? | |
| 25. Hector Jimenez | 44,000.00 | 44,000.00 | ? | |
| 26. Jose Villareal | 33,750.00 | 35,625.00 | Homegrown | |
| 27. Rafael Garcia | 33,750.00 | 33,750.00 | Rookie | |
| 28. Brian Gaul | 33,750.00 | 33,750.00 | Rookie | |
| 29. Kenny Walker | 33,750.00 | 33,750.00 | Rookie | |
| Total 2013 cap hit thus far: | $2,430,126 |
The Galaxy should have about $600,000 + allocation money to fill those seven or eight senior roster spots either with returning players or new additions. This really helps explain why the Galaxy aren't so keen on returning Christian Wilhelmsson, cause then you're looking at some $100k per roster spot instead of less than $100k per to fill seven roster spots.
The allocation money from not carrying thirty players, winning MLS Cup, CONCACAF Champions League, etc. would give the Galaxy the cushion to make the necessary moves, but it does look like they'll have to fill some roster spots with Re-Entry and reserve players who could make closer to between $50k-$60k like Boyens, Noonan, and Gaudette were last year.
Recency bias suggests the Galaxy should promote from within and refill the reserve squad with draft picks. Meyer and Jimenez are two that stick out as possible additions to the senior roster. Re-sign Magee, get Perk at a greatly reduced contract, sign Juninho permanently, trade for Dan Kennedy. Baby, you got a stew going.