With five picks in next week’s MLS SuperDraft, including four in the first two rounds, the Seattle Sounders find themselves in a strong draft position.
So, as the Sounders brass heads to Florida for the 2011 adidas MLS Player Combine, general manager Adrian Hanauer is willing to entertain trade offers from other clubs.
“We’re open-minded,” Hanauer said. “We’re willing to take the four picks in the first two rounds and pick the best possible players still available. We’re also open to being creative and packaging some of those picks and trading up. We’re open to selling a pick for allocation money. This early in the process, not being open-minded is probably not very prudent.”
In addition to the team’s three natural picks, the 2010 trades of Stephen King and Freddie Ljungberg netted Seattle a pair of second-rounders. Seattle now hold picks Nos. 11, 21 (from D.C. United for King), 27 (from Chicago for Ljungberg), 29, and 47 in the Jan. 13 draft.
Potential trades could be in the offing as executives mingle during the Combine, held Jan. 7-11 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The event, which splits prospects into four squads for round-robin play, gives teams one final chance to look at the players before the SuperDraft.
“We’ll see how players perform at the Combine,” Hanauer said. “Obviously, we know most of the players already and have pretty well-formulated opinions, but it’s always good to see another three days and see them playing against each other.”
Looking at the roster, Hanauer said the Sounders don’t have any glaring needs that must be filled through the draft, meaning they can be more adventurous in their actions.
“If we can find a player who can come in Year 1 and contribute, that’s going to be pretty attractive to us as well,” Hanauer said.
The Sounders would appear to have the least depth at outside back. At first glance, though, the 2011 draft class doesn’t seem to be deep at that spot. Hanauer believes this draft class is well-balanced, but may be slightly stronger in the midfield and forward positions.
“I think it’s a good draft class,” Hanauer said. “I’m not sure it will prove to be as good as the ’09 draft class, but at this point, it’s all arm-waving and speculation.”
Historically, draftees have a decent chance of sticking on Seattle. In the Sounders case, four of the franchise’s seven total draft picks are still listed on the team’s senior roster: Steve Zakuani, Mike Fucito, Mike Seamon and David Estrada.
