On Ruiz' arrival and supplemental draft picks

Judging from the comments on the last few Ruiz posts it seems like a few of you were hoping he really wouldn't show up in Toronto.

Fair enough, considering the Jekyll-Hyde type player we discussed in the last post. Folks who follow TFC have a right to wonder which Ruiz will suit up for Toronto -- the 24-goal scorer from 2002, or the guy who battled injuries and coaches on his way to just one goal so far this season.

One of them is in Collingwood, training and bonding with his new teammates right now.

Sorry to disappoint the anti-Ruiz crowd, but Ruiz did indeed arrive in Toronto yesterday and made the trip to the team retreat this morning.

And for the pro-Pescadito camp... stop worrying. He's here. Now sit back and wait for the goals to roll in.

Supplemental Note

Much of the debate on the Ruiz trade focuses on what exactly TFC gave up to acquire him.

To recap: cash and two picks (first and second-round) in the 2009 supplemental draft.

Now, the team's top two picks in any draft sounds like a high price to pay for a player with as much baggage as Ruiz lugged to TFC this morning, but there's a big difference between the "Super Draft" and the supplemental one.

First, a mini history lesson.

Back in the day (or as far back in the day as you can go for a league that's only existed since 1996), MLS held two drafts: the college draft for NCAA players, and the supplemental draft, for MLS hopefuls from club teams.

In 2000 they merged the two drafts to create the first "Superdraft." Six rounds long, 72 total selections.

That format lasted until 2005, when MLS shortened the Superdraft to four rounds, then added a four-round supplemental draft, the same routine that's currently in place.

It's important to remember that both drafts draw from the same pool of players. Guys not selected in the main draft head to the supplemental. There's no real shame in it. A few supplemental draftees (like Abe Thompson and Jeff Larentowicz) have made MLS rosters and had productive careers.

Still, none of that changes the fact that the supplemental draft is made up of guys not selected the first time around. So, what MLS calls "a first-round supplemental draft selection," other leagues might (more accurately) label a "fifth-round draft pick."

Looking at it that way -- Ruiz for fifth and sixth-round draft picks -- the price TFC paid for him doesn't seem nearly as steep, does it?

-- Morgan Campbell

Comments

[Branden]

Thanks for the follow-up Morgan. Fifth and Sixth round picks for someone with the potential Ruiz has seems like a steal. Here's hoping he can add some much needed punch to our front line.

[John Dinner]

Thanks Morgan.
Now could we get some more 'inside' info on all this posturing about grass...has the city heard about the deep desire and do they seem willing to seek a compromise?
I believe the potential is there to satisfy everyone, making the city look very good in the process.

[Spokes]

Hey Morgan, Congrats on getting your name on the blog. "Morgan Campbell's Toronto FC Blog" sounds much better.

[Peter]

I have to question TFC on the direction or lack of direction they have displayed under Mo. TML fans ran JFJ out of town for being an inept GM. Why is Mo still considered an adequate GM is a mystery. He has made several bad roster moves Samuel, Robert and Tebily to name a few. He is not a supporter of Canadian Football why not attempt to sign Atiba Hutchison or Will Johnson. I would rather see them making $300,000 and not Carl Robinson who by the way is another Mostake.

[Skinn]

Wow, Peter. Couldn't disagree with you more. Mo is operating a second-year franchise, and doing his best to a)build a squad for the long-term with youth, and b)try to get some guys in to win now. With both a salary cap and roster limitations, that is not an easy task, especially with the youth academy a few years away from producing players.

As far as youth gos, let's see: he drafted Mo Edu first overall. He brought in Marvell Wynne, who's beginning to develop some skill to go with his athleticism, for next to nothing. He's brought in Ibrahim and Julius James, and taken pretty decent gambles on guys like Phelan, Zaher, Boyens who, while they didn't pan out in TO, are going to be solid MLS players. Let's not forget that he's also stockpiled three first round draft picks for next year. When was the last time the Leafs acquired rather than dealt away picks? Would it be better if there were more young Canadian content? Sure. But, there's not. Gyan looks like he might develop. Maybe Rosenlund. It'll take time.

As far as senior guys go, he's taken gambles--Samuel, Robert, Cunningham, Tebilly--that haven't worked out. I like Ricketts though. Guevara is quality. And I don't see how Robinson is a mistake. Sure, it's taken him a year to settle in, but he's the engine. You take him out of that midfield now, and TFC doesn't win any balls to possess.

It is disapointing that Mo didn't go after Will Johnson, but Hutchinson??? Common. Hutchinson, De Guzman, etc. aren't coming to MLS at this stage in their careers. The money isn't there. The lifestyle isn't there. And the quality of play isn't quite there. Be realistic.

You guys complain when TFC doesn't win. Then you complain that TFC doesn't have enough Canadian content. You can't have it both ways---especially with a second year franchise!! Direction? You're complaint lacks direction. What do you want? Wins? Youth? Canadian content? All three? Not an easy task.

In no way is Mo comprable to JFJ. Do I think Mo is God? Nope. But he's a pretty decent evaluator of talent, and nobody is right 100 percent of the time. I've seen enough to give him more time to build a squad that he likes, and when those guys are in, and have time to gel, then we can evaluate him. Mind you, if at the end of his third season, TFC is still a revolving door...

[Spokes]

Wow skin, couldn't have said it better. When I read what Peter wrote I was about to reply in a similar fashion until I read your post. Well said!

[Paul]

MoJo seem to have more hits than misses as a JM, he is a keeper for now. Still he may want to ask Carver why the core of the team ( Brennan, Marshall, Velez, Wynn, Guevarra, Ricketts and Robinson ) which has been relatively stable, is just pathetic with ball possession? By giving up posession quickly, they set themselves up for more defending, which eventually leads to losses.

[IMac]

Does anyone else think that Brennan is just awful?
Oh,and Robinson is the best player we have!

[Mossman]

Well said Peter! I'd love to see more Canadian talent here, especially somehow swinging a deal for DeRo, but he re-upped with Houston for 3 more years at the end of the season, so he's not interested in coming home. Same with Gerba, going to MK Dons for big bucks. Hutchinson and DeGuzman are complete pipe-dreams. We are what we are, and some of the homegrown talent is just too expensive for TFC.

[Rahim]

Thanks Morgan, not bad for a fifth and sixth round pick. Hopefully Ruiz is the spark this team has needed for the last few months.

[Paul]

I believe that Brennan spreads himself too thin, he shold stick to what he does best -- defence. Robinson has enough skills and energy to contribute offensively to this club, but for some reasons does not.