Any doubt that the way things are being done at TFC have changed should have now been put to rest.
This morning, the Reds traded allocation money TO San Jose for Justin Morrow.
That's right, TO. An honest to goodness MLS player is coming to Toronto for magic beans. That's in spite of the fact that magic beans can be used to chase after players from outside MLS. That's right, Toronto has just chosen to take the sure thing MLSer rather than swing for the fences for an unknown player.
IT'S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!!
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Yes, I'm guilty of a little hyperbole here, but the addiction TFC has had to allocation has been a major issue throughout the first seven years. That addiction came from both a disrespect towards MLS average starters and constantly overpaying for the players they do have (which is tied into the constant chase for international players -- they cost more).
TFC fans would be forgiven for not realizing that magic beans could even be used to buy established MLS payers (which is what a trade using allocation really is. You're buying the player), but it is the most effective use of it.
Morrow is not a player that is going to get you all worked up. His ceiling is pretty much the level he's at now. Morrow isn't going to be a superstar. He's probably going to make a few errors and he's generally just going to be another guy.
He's a MLS average starter. That TFC just got for nothing. Even if Sam Jose uses the magic beans to buy the next league MVP the Reds can't lose this trade. They just added a starter for NOTHING.
The move demonstrates that new management understands the importance of adding MLS established players and that it's finally not trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to MLS team building strategies.
As for the player himself, Morrow is a natural left-fullback that can fill in at CB when needed. With six assists over last two seasons he offers a bit of an upgrade offensively over Ashtone Morgan, who will need to step up his game if he is to see the pitch in 2013.
Morrow isn't cheap. He's paid a starters wage at about a $140,000 cap hit in 2014.
When the dust settles on the 2014 off-season this might be the least fancied addition, but make no mistake this is an illuminating signing.