January 30, 2010
Mark Kastrud explains the big trade
by Kyle Devitte/
So in case you haven’t heard, and even if you have you probably don’t believe it, the Boston Cannons made a huge trade last week. The kind of trade that ruins lives. The kind of trade that makes people throw up. The kind of trade that — at first glance — makes about as much sense as your mom dancing in a cage dressed like George Washington at your prom. Yes, folks, this trade appears to be complete lunacy. The Cannons are sending Johnny Christmas (five goals, two assists in 2009), Ray Megill (one goal, five ground balls in ’09), and Mike Levin (.560 save percentage, 12.35 goals-against average, All-Star selection in ‘09) to the Washington/Baltimore/Smartlink Bayhawks for Kevin Buchanan (seven goals, six assists) and the B-hawks’ third- (14th overall) and fourth-round (20th overall) selections in this year’s collegiate draft.
WHY?! Why did they do this? I had to know for my own sanity and for yours, Cannons fans. So I called up Mr. Mark Kastrud, general manager of the Boston Cannons to give him what for. Fortunately he didn’t pick up and I sent him a series of snarky questions that he actually answered. He’s good like that and now I feel better. Damn he’s good.
Kyle Devitte: How did the trade come about (who proposed it initially?)
Mark Kastrud: Spencer has a pretty clear idea of the kind of players they want on the Bayhawks and is looking to take advantage of guys living in his area, so he and BD started chatting as soon as Brendan Kelly’s group began operating the team – about a lot of possibilities, not specifically the players involved in this deal. Buchanan had just been assigned a sales territory in Boston, so the specific discussion kind of started there.
Devitte: Where do you envision Buchanan playing? He's sort of a swingman and can be a great third attackman or run on the first or second midfield lines ... but he's also undersized.
Kastrud: We love his versatility, but primarily see him running midfield, creating, and also being a nice off ball complement to some of our other middies. Midfield play defines success in our league and it’s an area we wanted to strengthen this winter. We were fortunate to get three middies with solid MLL experience in the Supplemental draft, Pat Heim, Glenn Adams, Billy Looney, and now picking up Kevin makes us even stronger.
KD: Does the trading of Levin (and subsequent protection of Burke) mean that you're not in the market for another backup goalie?
MK: If “in the market” means actively seeking another goalie, then no, we’re not in the market. That said, it pays to be deep in the goalie position. Last year we were really fortunate to have two goalies who were MLL starters and it worked out pretty well for us. Bruce Bickford will be in camp this spring and we’ll see how everyone plays. We’ll likely only carry two goalies on the 23-man roster, but may keep a third on the practice squad.
KD: What type of player are you looking for when you're selecting the 14th and 20th? Are you looking for the best players in the draft (respectively) or do you address needs in the team?
MK: Best Player Available is a cliché for a reason. It’s always smart to be aware of the best player available. We’re pretty comfortable with our lineup for 2010 as it stands right now and the draft is really a time to think about building for the future. I imagine we’ll look to the draft to get some youth on defense … maybe address any issues that pop up during the first few weeks of the season.
KD: Was there concern over the depth left over from last year's team? Did that play a hand in this trade? Was player location a factor?
MK: Yes, we wanted to build some depth among the offensive midfield. Yes, location was a factor. The less a player has to travel, the easier it is for that player to maximize his potential on the field. It’s just simpler and less taxing if you’re able to drive 10 minutes to practice as opposed to flying 300 miles. So, that will help Kevin, Mike and Ray in this situation. I can get into the marketing benefits of having more local players, but I think you’ve heard my rants on that already!
KD: Essentially you unload three non-starters for a potential starter and two picks that MIGHT be starters. That being said, you are trading away two former first-rounders and an All-Star for a potential starter and third- and fourth-round picks — can you see why some fans might be upset?
MK: Yes I can. John was an incredibly popular player for a lot of reasons: he’s extremely talented, can beat just about anyone one on one when he’s 100 percent, he was a true professional in his work ethic and physical preparation for the season, and he was great with our fans off the field. He also made what was, for my money, the greatest play in Cannons history (with some help from Tom Zummo of course) when he finished a 60-yard pass from Zummo with no time on the clock to beat Long Island at Harvard. I’ve never felt the emotion from our fans that I did that night and the next few days. Ray was the kind of player we love in New England, great athlete, hard-nosed, played whatever position his coaches asked, tough kid, really good team guy. And Mike is really a consummate professional, he stepped in to start for us last year and was ready to go immediately, always prepared mentally to go into the game which is tough on an MLL goalie, and anyone who knows Mike off the field (like all the kids at MetroLacrosse) knows that he’s a better person than goalie. Story for you … I introduced Mike at a MetroLacrosse awards event last year and I had thought through my comments and had some material lined up. The place was filled with probably 200 kids and their families and every time I said anything, they erupted into “Le-vin, Le-vin, Le-vin” standing on their feet and yelling! It was awesome and very apparent that sure they thought it was cool that he was an MLL goalie, but his real impact with those kids was the time he had spent with them on the sidelines of their games. His impact on their lives was palpable that day and it’s a real testament to the kind of guy Mike is.
So yeah, I can see why fans would be disappointed. But, they haven’t gotten the chance to know Kevin Buchanan yet…
KD: How will you console all the children that you have upset over trading away John Christmas? What will you do with all of those t-shirts?
MK: T-shirts and jerseys are still for sale at BostonCannons.com! We’re still fielding requests for No. 0 t-shirts, so I know we’ll move the rest of our No. 1 inventory.
[Who is No. 0? Is that, like, the guy that plays guitar?]
KD: What will we all do without Kip and Ray ray's video blog?
MK: That should still happen – someone call LaxUnited – imagine the tension between those two now. That’s Jersey Shore material!
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Look, this is a trade that cannot be judged at full value right now. No one knows whom those draft picks will be. What we do know is that none of the players the Cannons sent packing were regular starters. Christmas and Megill were playing out of position last season and don’t live in Boston. Take a deep breath and relax for now. The MLL season is months away. Besides, NCAA lax will be here before you know it.
But those picks better turn into Ned Crotty and Diogo Godoi (they would have to trade up to get them but that’s why you stockpile picks in the MLL draft) or I’m going to freak out like this.
