Sounds Like A Great Deal

Ives is reporting Chad Barrett, a draft pick and allocation money for Brian McBride, along with a contingency if Barrett doesn't re-sign at the end of that deal. MLS Rumors has a source speculating that the contingency might be Calen Carr. It looks like waiting it out may have worked to perfection for Frank Klopas, as Toronto's forward situation got dire enough that Barrett would help significantly.

In the short term, Tomasz Frankowski can cover the loss of Barrett while McBride is in Beijing. Trust me on that one. This is the best possible deal we could have gotten to bring McBride home, unless Toronto had taken Lider Marmol and Brian Plotkin. Ives' sources are usually pretty good, but we'll wait to see the official announcement, expected later today.

If this deal is going to be announced, it may explain why the Fire haven't gotten a press release out yet about Blanco winning the All-Star MVP award.

Luis is now reporting it as well, with the added information that Barrett has been given the news and did not attend practice this morning.

Remind me not to play poker with Klopas. Seriously. Holding out seems to have totally paid off for him on this.