Yesterday the Rapids made official what seemed to be obviously coming, they signed Sam Bassett to a homegrown deal. For anyone who isn't in the loop Sam is Cole's younger brother and has playing at DU the last few years. He was a Hermann Trophy (NCAA best men's soccer player) finalist and Top Drawer Soccer's player of the year this season.
Sam got a one year deal with 3 option years. Its a bit of an odd contract but Nate Jones who was the highest of our draft picks last year got a similar contract. I wonder if this gives the players more flexibility to renegotiate should they kill it early in their career or something.
I don't think we'll see Sam immediately impact the first team. He can play both central mid and on the wing and if he's going to make an immediate impact it will likely be on the wing. Between Mihailovic, Larraz, Ronan, and older brother Cole there's not many minutes to be had in central midfield. More likely he'll get some time off the bench and some starts with Rapids 2 in 2025.
Oh and to avoid confusion going forward Cole will be Bassett and Sam will be S. Bassett when I discuss them. I'm reminded of when the Mariners signed Ken Griffey Senior and Dad and son were debating which one got to be "Griffey" and which one had to add the "Sr./Jr." suffix to their jersey. Junior's point was he was in Seattle first so he got to be Griffey, Senior's point was that he had been in the league longer so he had seniority. Junior won.
One other transaction this week, the Rapids sent a 2025 international slot to Miami for $175K in GAM. As the Rapids only have 5-6 internationals (depending on if Chacon actually joins the roster or gets loaned out again) this still leaves them room to sign at least one international before hitting the limit.
Posts
