Crew Player Values, 2020 Lineup

Today I'm going to take a quick look at what 2019 Crew players are world strictly based on WhoScored performances. How I did it is was take the median salary of the four players above and below them in rating by position played (MLS is all about leveling by position, sorry defenders).

Please keep in mind this is a loose valuation for a couple reasons. 1st: It's only looking at one rating, it's a good one, but merely just one. The other is that this doesn't take into account age, development, potential, soft skill, etc. It's just performance this year. Lastly, I didn't rate Room (gk), he's fine.


OUT PERFORMING 2019 SALARY

Player	Wage	Value	Diff	% off
Connor Malo	$70,250	$250,000	$179,750	256%
Luis Argudo	$57,225	$175,000	$117,775	206%
Aboubacar K	$110,000	$275,000	$165,000	150%
Josh Willia	$215,000	$475,000	$260,000	121%

UNDERPAID

Pedro Santos	$864,560	$1,300,000	$435,440	50%
Luis Díaz	$250,000	$350,000	$100,000	40%
Héctor Jimé	$200,000	$250,000	$50,000	25%

PAID ABOUT RIGHT

Waylon Fran	$199,167	$230,000	$30,833	15%
Ricardo Cla	$160,000	$175,000	$15,000	9%
Harrison Af	$363,800	$350,000	-$13,800	-4%
Eduardo Sos	$120,200	$100,000	-$20,200	-17%

OVERPAID

Alex Crogna	$104,504	$75,000	-$29,504	-28%
Wil Trapp	$593,746	$400,000	-$193,746	-33%
David Guzmá	$320,000	$175,000	-$145,000	-45%
Youness Mok	$533,845	$250,000	-$283,845	-53%
Jonathan Me	$894,000	$400,000	-$494,000	-55%
Federico Hi	$1,100,000	$450,000	-$650,000	-59%

WAY OVERPAID

Gyasi Zarde	$1,471,667	$550,000	-$921,667	-63%
Artur	$411,633	$150,000	-$261,633	-64%

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THOUGHTS ON THE OVERPAID
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 I think Columbus should take a close look at the guys overpaid. The situation clearly takes a front seat to this, but here's how I see it.

- Trapp: Has a great deal of MLS value, but not much longer. Time to move him may be now (or never). 

- Guzman: Really slow start, but grew a little bit into his role. Players can be found for a lot less and a lot younger that provide the same quality. I get that he's a Porter guy, but you don't need that stuff in year two. 

- Mokhtar: Came on strong late in the year. I think he'll easily make up his value. 

- Mensah: MLS doesn't pay defenders. Might be worth it to keep him, but that wage is huge. 

- Higuain: Best to probably treat him like Sauro. Drop him back (if possible), see if that knee is okay. 

- Zardes: Not worth that wage. Makes it up if he stays on the USMNT, but I don't see that happening. 

- Artur: He is a serviceable player, but you can find just as good for half the price.

Going into this offseason I think Columbus has to offload a couple of these guys. All of them are good players, but they are just being paid more than similar in the MLS market (bubble). You always want players to be outperforming their contracts. That's healthy.

Based on this, here's how I structure the lineup:
Leaving it open like this makes it more exciting. I think the roster is due a major refresh.

Open Spots: Forward x2, 2 starting CM's and a sub, and another backup CB unless Abubakar returns from Colorado. I think Valenzuela should start on the bench after a knee injury (backup at LB or RB). With his skill set, I'd even consider him for a CM role.

Maybe keep Zardes? I wouldn't because he doesn't offer anything outside of goals. $1.4 million is right on the edge for goal scorer that doesn't offer any support play. Like Trapp, he is at peak MLS value right now. Find a player that is a better value.

The 2020 lineup here is solid and financially stable, i.e. players outperforming their contracts. What this sets up is lineup consistency for a couple years to come.