More Rumors

Combining the article Sam Skejskal wrote in the Athletic on the Kaye trade, this report from Inside Rapids, and some things I've heard we have some things to talk about today.

Lets start with that report from Inside Rapids of Lucas Esteves signing for Colorado.  He's a 21 year old Brazilian LB who currently plays for Palmeiras.  He's made 2 appearances for the first team, having come up through tier youth system.  Transfermarkt currently lists him with a valuation of just under a million dollars.  I've heard this may not be our only move at LB either, so we'll have to see what happens in the next 8 days (the window closes at end of business/end of day next Thursday).

Sam's article in the Athletic mentions that the Rapids were working on a LB move, which syncs up with the Inside Rapids report.  Later in the comments Sam also states that Acosta is not expected to leave any time soon and there aren't any offers on the table for him.  While he has played really well this season and stood out in the Gold Cup, he is a 26 year old American.  European teams aren't usually looking for that.  That doesn't mean his window is closed, but its going to take the right team to make the right offer at the right time to get a deal done.  That could come tomorrow, or it could come at the end of the 2022 season.  Given that the Rapids have to plan for him to be here long-term.  Which makes the Kaye addition even more exciting as its an addition to what we have now, not a replacement for something we're losing.

It really means though that once everyone gets back from the Gold Cup that Bassett is going to have a hard time finding starts.  Kaye, Acosta, and Price are the obvious 3 in the midfield.  Acosta may need to split time at LB, depending on Wilson's injury forcing Trusty to move back inside and how ready Esteves is, but eventually Namli will likely return as well.  With Barrios on one side and Namli and Galvan pushing for time on the other Bassett doesn't have a spot.

One other thing to watch, if we sign a Brazilian we need an international slot we don't have.  We can use Namli's while he's on the Injured List but eventually we need to make a hole.  Do we trade for a slot?  Or will we be forced to release somebody?  Clearly Namli, Price, Wilson, and Galvan aren't going anywhere.  I doubt Shinyashiki is either.  That leaves Mezquida and Benezet.  I can't see either one going to the Springs for the rest of the season unless its a "finish out your contract down there and we'll release you" type of move, which might be what's necessary.  If so I think Mezquida may or may not have a future here, Benezet doesn't, so that would be my choice.