Welcome Michael Barrios!

As was rumored in yesterday's post, the Rapids announced a significant trade today, acquiring midfielder/winger Michael Barrios from Dallas in exchange for an international slot for an unspecified length of time.  The teams also swapped first round picks, with Colorado getting Dallas' pick and #21 and Dallas getting Colorado's #15 pick (Colorado also holds the #6 pick from an earlier trade).  Reports are that there are incentives built into the deal if Barrios hits certain benchmarks, presumably more draft picks and/or xAM.

Barrios is 30 years old and played in his native Colombia before being signed by Dallas in 2015.  In 5 seasons he's put up 31 goals and 44 assists, with 15 assists in 2019 and 14 in 2017.  Last year his play appeared to trail off and Dallas has some young talent coming through their system, which explains why they were willing to let him go for a low price.  However a deeper dive into the numbers, as seen here, shows that he's still putting out quality play but Dallas didn't have the talent around him to capitalize.

This is a low risk high reward move by the Rapids.  For the price of an international slot (there's not much value lost in a 6 spot slide in the back half of the first round) we get a guy who could contribute to 10+ goals next season.  If he doesn't, no big deal.  He does come with a price tag though, with a 2019 salary that was $500K.  In 2021 he's on his final option year in his contract, which Dallas exercised next month.  We have to assume he's still around that $500K number.  But its only a one year commitment so again, low risk.

With this move the Rapids now have arguably 9 starting caliber players for the 6 spots in front of the backline.  Acosta, Barrios, Bassett, Benezet, Lewis, Namli, Price, Shiyashiki, and Rubio, plus Galvan and Mezquida as legitimate options off the bench.  That feels a bit top heavy to me.  I wouldn't be shocked to find out we made this move with knowledge that one of those guys won't be with the team come opening day, presumably one of our younger guys may be moved or sold.  Acosta, Bassett, and Lewis seem like obvious choices for that.

Also today @BigBadMLS, who reported the Adi rumor yesterday, reported today that the signing was off after the trade to Barrios.  So who knows if it was ever on, but I think its safe to say its not going to happen.