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You Be The GM: Who Deserves A Raise?

The Re-entry Draft has kicked off the free agency period. Brotherly Game looks at the core team and asks who is most in need of a raise?

By unionoscopy
Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sport

With the dramatic MLS Cup and first round of the Re-Entry Draft in the books, the offseason is officially in full swing. The Union fans can now dream of dancing sugarplums and midfielders coming down the PPL Park chimney. The Brotherly Game has reviewed each player's 2013 season and broken down the effectiveness of the defense, forwards and midfielders. Now we want take stock of the core team and determine who deserves a raise for 2014.

We created a formula that determines what the MLS market value of a player should be for their performance in 2013. We had to be careful to not let the salaries of Robbie Keane or Clint Dempsey drive the values too high so we created a "star adjusted" market rate for forwards as well.

How the Union players' rank in terms of the difference between their 2013 market value and their actual guaranteed compensation in 2013 is below. It should be noted that this market value calculation is an estimate that doesn't take into account a players age, experience or other factors like career consistency. It is based solely on the 2013 performance of the player. The other items are for you to factor in when you comment or vote.

All players currently on the roster with 100 minutes played in 2013:

Players with more than $100,000 difference between value and compensation

Player

Minutes

Castrol Index

Guaranteed Compensation

2013 MLS Market Value

Difference

McInerney*

2,253

754

$189,667

$459,816

$270,149

Casey*

2,198

615

$175,000

$373,068

$198,068

Carroll

2,970

462

$176,400

$329,410

$153,010

Williams

2,866

528

$110,500

$233,193

$122,693

Daniel

1,719

462

$82,892

$205,454

$122,562

Farfan

1,992

523

$136,170

$258,565

$122,395

Cruz

2,175

448

$126,500

$244,106

$117,606

Gaddis

2,700

361

$46,500

$162,703

$116,203

* Star adjusted MLS Value used

Many of you might have a visceral reaction to the many midfielders being underpaid. But the reality is they played a lot of minutes and that drives a lot of value. Also, the Castrol Index rates Carroll, Daniel, Farfan and Cruz all above average.

Players with less than $100,000 difference between value and compensation

Player

Minutes

Castrol Index

Guaranteed Compensation

2013 MLS Market Value

Difference

Le Toux

2,224

569

$212,813

$306,530

$93,717

Okugo

2,880

558

$184,250

$245,470

$61,220

Hoppenot*

745

177

$48,400

$109,103

$60,703

MacMath

3,060

610

$155,000

$205,195

$50,195

Fabinho

982

276

$82,500

$70,600

($11,900)

Parke

2,745

467

$216,500

$202,914

($13,586)

Lahoud

465

107

$93,333

$45,796

($47,537)

Wheeler*

132

71

$46,500

$40,383

($6,117)

Fernandes

280

74

$35,125

$39,569

$4,444

* Star adjusted MLS Value used

At first glance it appears as though the Union were a very underpaid team. However, once players who did not play are added into the salary and Kleberson's steep overpayment is factored in, the total MLS market value of the Union is actually very close to what was doled out.

In the poll below, vote for the player you believe is most deserving of a raise this offseason. Jack McInerney's contract is up at the end of next season. Should he be given a raise and contract extension to ensure he doesn't leave for Europe? What about the young defense? Sheanon Williams signed a new deal before the 2012 season, but perhaps he needs some holiday mirth? Does this list make you want to trade anyone? What other actions would you take with the core team?

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