The early data are in for the MLS 2009 salaries.
2009 MLS Player Salaries: March 2, 2009: By Club
2009 2009 Guaranteed
I can never figure out how to format these stupid things in tables, but here's the compensation list. Columns are: Club, Name, Position, Compensation, Guaranteed Compensation (includes things like bonuses.)
SEA Alonso Osvaldo M $ 65,000.00 $ 65,000.00
SEA Brown Evan D $ 34,008.00 $ 34,008.00
SEA Evans Brad M $ 44,550.00 $ 44,550.00
SEA Eylander Chris GK $ 45,500.00 $ 45,500.00
SEA Graham Taylor D $ 55,000.00 $ 55,000.00
SEA Hurtado John Kennedy D $ 36,000.00 $ 37,000.00
SEA Ianni Patrick D $ 72,000.00 $ 72,000.00
SEA Jaqua Nate F $ 1 89,996.00 $ 208,121.00
SEA Keller Kasey GK $ 300,000.00 $ 300,000.00
SEA King Stephen M $ 34,000.00 $ 34,000.00
SEA Le Toux Sebastian M $ 100,000.00 $ 112,000.00
SEA Ljungberg Fredrik M $ 1,300,000.00 $ 1,314,000.00
SEA Marshall Tyrone D $ 157,500.00 $ 161,250.00
SEA Montero Fredy F $ 155,000.00 $ 155,000.00
SEA Nyassi Sanna M $ 34,000.00 $ 34,000.00
SEA Riley James D $ 69,000.00 $ 72,625.00
SEA Smith Jarrod F $ 37,800.00 $ 37,800.00
SEA Sturgis Nathan M $ 100,000.00 $ 133,000.00
SEA Vagenas Peter M $ 158,400.00 $ 158,400.00
SEA Wahl Tyson D $ 34,650.00 $ 34,650.00
SEA Zakuani Steve F $ 65,000.00 $ 163,000.00
I don't have time today to do much analysistoday . Or even any analysis. But I will say this: Developmental players' salaries have gone up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No more surviving on $12,X00 a year! Living on Top Ramen! (Or with mom and dad.) It looks like the minimum is $20,100, which isn't great. But if you're livin' the dream, it's okay.
I'm surprised that Kennedy is so low, and Marshall and Vagenas are going to have to perform to make them worth it. And Sturgis will have to stay healthy. Eylander's feels low, as does Hurtado's. Keller's feels about right. And so does Le Toux's, assuming we'll be seeing the 2007 Sebastien.
Oh, and they misspelled Hurtado's first name.
Currently only 21 on the list which leaves 3 more slots.
What do you think? (I'm thinking this looks a whole lot more balanced than the Galaxy's ever did.)
(For deeper analysis, check out Sounder at Heart.)