Why Trading Van Den Bergh Is A Good Idea

By: Dave Martinez | January 12th, 2009

Before I attempt writing this post, I am going to have to break out my keys and dip into my military arsenal to prepare for the ensuing onslaught . . . .

- Life Vest? Check. Hey, you may want to drown me.
- Bullet proof vest? Check. Because bullets are everywhere in Jersey and New York.
- Military boots? Check. In case I have to fight back.
- Now, where is my jockstrap? Oh, there it is. Check. And thats for the dirty fighters!

Ok. Now I am ready for you.

Trading Dave Van Den Bergh is not the end of the world. SBI reports that both DVB and Mike Magee are on the Red Bulls trading block, heading into the SuperDraft. And I say? So be it. Here is why.

We can start with the money issue. Once again, a year has passed with a very minimal change to the salary cap structure. Concessions were made by eliminating the reserves division, but that will cut into the prospective roster depth. Therefore, no matter what, the teams are still squeezing their wallets to get the best value.

Dave Van Den Bergh enjoyed a phenomenal season with the Bulls last year, and earned his place as the hardest working footballer on the pitch, week in and week out. He transformed himself from a 2007 after thought to a 2008 hero. His goals weren’t always the prettiest, but they were clutch. And his attitude on the pitch rubbed off well on the rest of the players.

But let’s face facts. A couple of thousand dollars can be the difference between bargaining power for a well skilled, fairly known South American player or a player with high risk, and possible low reward. It is the nature of MLS business; bargain shop, and get the best for your buck. The Red Bulls barely paid DVB half of his salary the past two seasons, with Kansas City supplying the funds for the rest. Suddenly, you are talking about a 100k+ hit on a cap that can not afford to waste space.

Not that an investment in DVB is a waste, but it is certainly money that can be spent elsewhere to further strengthen and reinforce a squad, rather than bringing in retreads to relive last years regular season nightmares. This team needs an infusion of new blood, without sacrificing the on the field product.

If DVB were to exit stage left towards FC Dallas, the Bulls have the luxury of a more than competant back up in Jorge Rojas, at half the price. The extra money can be put towards finding that missing piece that has been searched for since the Guevara days; a quality attacking midfielder. And with the market in its current shape, opportunities may arise to aquire quality at a bargain (look at Kansas City recently resigning Claudio Lopez as a NON – DP).

Now, the team made it to the finals last season, but please, don’t forget the futility that mired the season leading up to it. They were uninspired, for the most part, and over matched. Though making the Cup is an achievement, by no means does that make the team an immediate contender. Like the NFL in playoff season, the Red Bulls decimated opponents by getting hot at the right time. This doesn’t put them on the level of a Houston or New England, who are expected to be there. Red Bull has to make a deeper investment in their on the field product to achieve such a lofty status.

Can the team worsen without Van Den Bergh? Surely. Juan Pietravallo, though fairly difficult to judge as a late seson addition, did have his share of problems on the squad, and he is playing at a guarenteed 190k a year. But, in Van Den Berghs case, there are people who would be able to fill the spot with a fairly small adjustment period, a lower price tag and most importantly, a younger age range. He is almost at the middle of the wrong side of 30. Yes, he performed last year. Yes, we know the kind of impact he may have. But to make such a long term commitment at a pivitol offensive position makes this a tougher call than sentiment would dictate.

You know my stance, and I am fully armored . . . so . . . what do you feel? Is Van Den Bergh untouchable? Or is that an Angel Only status?