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Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Cole Grossman, and Abdoulie Mansally: Four players, four contract decisions to be made, according to Salt Lake Tribune reporter Chris Kamrani.
Nat Borchers, Chris Wingert, Abdoulie Mansally and Cole Grossman are out of contract with Real Salt Lake. Dec. 1 is the decision date. #RSL
— Chris Kamrani (@chriskamrani) November 11, 2014
Dec. 1 is the deadline for their contracts, and we wouldn't be surprised if it comes right down to the wire.
Wingert and Borchers are both aging veterans perhaps past their prime, but both have been stable contributors on what is still a very good team, despite Sunday's capitulation.
Everyone else is either under a guaranteed contract or has an option available, all of which must be decided upon by Dec. 1.
Like we said, right down to the wire. In the next 19 days, expect news to trickle down about who's returning and who's not -- but if we decline their options, it doesn't mean they won't be staying with the club. Real Salt Lake could also bring them back through the second round of the re-entry draft.
In the coming days, we'll talk about what each player brings and we can talk about whether you'd bring them back or not. Keep in mind, of course, that you don't get to make that sort of decision -- that's Garth Lagerwey's job.
Regardless, that so many of our key players remain under contract or option -- especially our plentiful set of strikers -- is refreshing.
It's also worth considering that the expansion draft will be coming, and maybe these players would be selected. But if they're not under contract, maybe somebody would rather select another player instead.
MLS is weird.