Rapids general manager Pádraig Smith excited for club’s new look after busy day of offseason moves – The Denver Post

The Rapids saved several of their offseason fireworks for Wednesday.

Colorado announced four contract extensions and added another player in the busiest day of the offseason so far. Rapids general manager Pádraig Smith then addressed the media about the club’s moves, in addition to Cole Bassett’s imminent loan to the Netherlands, the Kellyn Acosta trade and the possibility of adding more attacking players to the roster.

Midfielder and captain Jack Price was among four players whose deals were extended. The details on each extension:

  • Defender Danny Wilson through 2023 with club options for 2024, 2025
  • Defender Keegan Rosenberry through 2024 (option for ’25)
  • Midfielder and Canadian international Mark-Anthony Kaye through 2025 (option for ’26)
  • Price through 2023, (options for ’24, 25)

The club also announced the acquisition of Bryan Acosta (not related to Kellyn) in a two-year deal through 2024 with a club option. The Honduran midfielder played for FC Dallas the past three seasons, scoring twice with five assists in 60 appearances.

Here are some highlights from Smith’s 45 minutes addressing the media:

Bassett finishing his medical

What’s the story: Bassett arrived in the Netherlands on Wednesday and was in the process of completing his medical exam. If there are no hiccups, the Littleton native will be announced by Feyenoord this week. The deal is reportedly an 18-month loan with Feyenoord having the option to buy after Bassett’s loan expires.

What Smith said: “I remember speaking to Cole when he was 15 when he first started talking about the next steps when it was moving on to the academy and on to the first team. This was something that we had planned out together for a long time. … Once we got into the offseason, interest started to ramp up. We had a couple of clubs circling around and ultimately Feyenoord started to emerge as the one that we wanted to look at. I think it’s a very good league for Cole.”

Analysis: Bassett really is an ideal fit for the Dutch Eredivisie. It’s arguably the most forward-thinking, attack-minded league in Europe. It typically produces tight title races and plays its young stars. He’ll be at a club with so much history.

Kellyn Acosta trade

What’s the story: The Rapids traded away Acosta on Friday to Western Conference rival LAFC for up to $1.5 million in General Allocation Money. Acosta, 26, said in a Tweet that the Rapids pushed him out and didn’t help him get his preferred move to Europe.

What Smith said: “It’s a core tenant of our overall business plan, we want to move players on to Europe. But, of course we can only sell players into Europe when somebody in Europe wants to buy them, and that’s the way the soccer industry works. When we found ourselves in a position where we couldn’t re-sign Kellyn and there were no takers in Europe, then we had to protect the long-term interest of the club. That ultimately comes down to ensuring that we are built for long-term, sustainable success. That meant on this occasion making the trade for what we felt was a strong return from LAFC.”

Analysis: It’s unfortunate the trade went down the way that it did, but Smith did grant Acosta’s representatives to find a European buyer. One didn’t emerge until it was too late, and the Rapids calculated Acosta’s remaining contract and overall value and made a business decision. Acosta is definitely good enough for Europe. That’s not a question. It’s about finding the right situation for Kellyn to thrive overseas.

Looking for a No. 9

What’s the story: Even after adding Brazilian attacking midfielder Max Alves da Silva for a reported $1 million from Flamengo, the Rapids are looking for up to two strikers.

What Smith said: “We do want to be built for the season for the long 30-40 game campaign and we feel like we are in a good spot from that perspective, but when we are in these moments in the playoffs and need a goal, it’s important that we continue to bring in the players that will put us in a position to win those games.”

Analysis: Two straight seasons of reaching the playoffs, two knockouts, zero playoff goals. There’s been an influx of money in recent weeks. It’s time to spend it wisely on a proven goalscorer.

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