With SC2 staying strictly with GOM, and no active progamers switching yet, it looks like we might have a 2010-2011 proleague.
Last year's offseason was fairly tame, with Midas going to WeMade, Kwanro going to Stars, and Jaedong staying on OZ. Let's look at what teams might be trying to accomplish:
KT Rolster: KT's performance in the grand final shows that they have quite a good terran and protoss lineup. However, they might be looking for a Zerg to replace Luxury. I'd guess they'd try to be realistic about it and go for depth instead of star power, getting a 2nd or 3rd tier zerg.
Possible additions: s2, n.Die_soO, Neo.G_Soulkey, hyvaa. I'd go with hyvaa personally, since Action is starting to look very strong and eSTRO is a poor team that might want more salary options.
Possible losses: None, as losing Lux hurt them enough.
SKT: Despite the finals loss SKT remains a strong, deep team that now has a strong lineup in all 3 races.
Possible additions: Very unlikely.
Possible losses: One of the zergs, or maybe Boxer if he decides to become a head coach or something, since he no longer plays in even prelims. T_T
MBC: They're a team that's been known to sell top players, and they might need a protoss. I'd guess they're staying put at this time though.
Possible additions: They're going to want a PvT specialist like BeSt or Snow to take out terran aces (meaning Flash), but they won't get one.
Possible losses: Maybe Saint or even Light. Again, this is a team that's known to sell good players.
STX: They need a terran badly to replace Hwasin. Also, they're not really very good against Zergs.
Possible losses: I don't think they'll get rid of anyone.
WeMade: These guys have a 5 terran lineup of Baby, Mind, Nada, Major, and Midas. I'd say Baby, Nada, and Midas are safe, even though Nada costs a lot to keep on the roster. Roro is getting decent, but they might need a protoss better than Pure.
Possible additions: None. Everyone's going to keep a tight hold on any semi-decent toss.
CJ: The problem here is that they're a team of snipers. Without coach Cho they'll have less of a chance of getting good matchups, so unless KIMDONGWOO is really confident in his skill I'd say they go for someone well-rounded.
Possible additions: None. Well-rounded players like Sea, Stats, Violet will all stay on their teams.
Possible losses: Teams will want Snow as a Flash/Sea/Leta/other good terran ace sniper. They won't get him. Teams that lack terrans will want Iris, but I doubt he's going anywhere either.
Stars: They've needed a terran for a while. They still do.
Possible additions: See STX.
Possible losses: Maybe Soulkey. Depends how much potential he really has.
OZ: They badly need a protoss and someone who can play some ace matches instead of Jaedong.
Possible additions: None. They might beg for a young good toss like Snow, Flying, or Stats, but they're paying Jaedong too much I bet.
Possible losses: Won't anyone take PerfectMan? He's Perfect I tell you!
KHAN: Terran needed to replace FBH. Reality, Turn, and Sharp have all failed at becoming good A-team members.
Possible additions/losses: None probably, KHAN rarely makes transactions.
eSTRO: They have a good but inexperienced team. hyvaa might leave to free up salary for rising stars like Action, and especially if 1st overall draft pick hwata doesn't become a total flop.
Possible additions: No way. Poor team with some good young players.
Possible losses: hyvaa maybe. I think protoss-starved teams might go for Flying, but won't get him.
sparkyz: Need replacements for Yarnc/go.go/type-b as well as a good toss.
Possible additions: Unlikely they'll get anyone.
Possible losses: None, they're holding on tight as it is.
ACE: They're getting FBH and Rock! Please let them do ceremonies.
The two transactions I'd be least surprised at are:
On August 09 2010 05:26 r33k wrote: I expect no trades except maybe for a couple B-teamers going to hite, if you expect trades you should be watching sports, not korean e-sports.
Trades would happen often in Korean E-Sports if the free agency didn't have some of the most retarded rules ive ever seen for a free agency. It pretty much prevents any top tier from being traded because nobody is going to ...what was it 3x the salary for a player to the team that you're getting the player from?
Lol not happening man. The top 3 make over 160.000 dollars a year.
On August 09 2010 05:26 r33k wrote: I expect no trades except maybe for a couple B-teamers going to hite, if you expect trades you should be watching sports, not korean e-sports.
There are always a few players bought/sold each year. The biggest ones in recent years have been July's travels from MBC to SKT to STX, and Bisu to SKT.
On August 09 2010 05:26 r33k wrote: I expect no trades except maybe for a couple B-teamers going to hite, if you expect trades you should be watching sports, not korean e-sports.
Trades would happen often in Korean E-Sports if the free agency didn't have some of the most retarded rules ive ever seen for a free agency. It pretty much prevents any top tier from being traded because nobody is going to ...what was it 3x the salary for a player to the team that you're getting the player from?
Lol not happening man. The top 3 make over 160.000 dollars a year.
Wow Light makes 70 million won. STX/Stars are gonna be seeking out a cheaper terran then.
On August 09 2010 05:26 r33k wrote: I expect no trades except maybe for a couple B-teamers going to hite, if you expect trades you should be watching sports, not korean e-sports.
There are always a few players bought/sold each year. The biggest ones in recent years have been July's travels from MBC to SKT to STX, and Bisu to SKT.
most likely he was talking about the free agent period
Dang, STX with Light would be so stacked. But not enough to beat KT lol. And remember, this is considering there is a Proleague next year since Blizzard said they would get rid of the SC1 progaming by like August/September or something. I really hope not, I loved the proleague and my favorite team, KT Rolster
On August 09 2010 05:47 Tazza wrote: Dang, STX with Light would be so stacked. But not enough to beat KT lol. And remember, this is considering there is a Proleague next year since Blizzard said they would get rid of the SC1 progaming by like August/September or something. I really hope not, I loved the proleague and my favorite team, KT Rolster
STX is a huge company, if they want to get serious they can fork out the money for a good terran. Might not happen though.
And remember, this is considering there is a Proleague next year since Blizzard said they would get rid of the SC1 progaming by like August/September or something.
Oh man, I remember last year with the whole "free agency" trading thing with JD. It was thanks to the "free" agency that Midas went to a better use at FOX then a b-teamer in SKT. I really hope we have some good trades and potential players rising up thanks to these trades!
But what SKT really do need is a zerg ace and a secondary terran. I refuse to have Canata is terran #2 of SKT and mong/ssak is too young and ripe to be used. No way he'll be ready to tackle as the main line of SKT terran yet. As for zerg.... obvious reason, we definitely do need someone who's better than Hyuk or S2! (Not worth mentioning Soo, he's need to be gone imo.)
SKT did just release quite a few B teamers, so they might be looking to but someone. Probably a fairly strong terran or zerg player to fill their lineup. They need a zerg more, but there's plenty of decent terrans that might join their team considering everyone is a team of terrans these days. Doubt anyone will have too many changes though. We'll see.
I doubt SKT is interested in acquiring additional players, considering their massive payroll bill filled with star players and numerous staff members. I personally believe that S2 has great potential (and Hyuk is the next bonjwa, yes, yes we can)
KT may be looking at either Hyvaa or Action...Action to KT sounds very plausible. KT is likely to be in the mood to dish out additional cash, considering how well this season has been for KT.
On August 09 2010 05:47 Tazza wrote: And remember, this is considering there is a Proleague next year since Blizzard said they would get rid of the SC1 progaming by like August/September or something.
I rather SKT spend their time anf efforts getting Best's PvZ, Bisu's PvT and Fantasy's (arguably already "good") TvZ up to shape. That and a bit of work on Hyuk and s2 in regards of not-choking and skt will be looking at hitting the finals in three times in a row this season.
Wouldn't be surprized if Soulkey went to KT. I think that makes perfect sense.
SKT needs another Terran badly. With the race rules no longer viable, a solid terran with s2 can back up the FBB lineup. I might root for HyuK, but I think his time is over. I wouldn't be surprized if they tried to trade Hyuk.
On August 09 2010 14:47 luanshuju wrote: Why does KT need a new zerg? Isn't YellOw coming back soon?
awesome tempest out, reach in hoejja out, yellow in. next proleague finals we play with the roster being: violet - stats - forgg - reach - yellow - flash!
edit: for real: i think tempest could make a lots of money this fa season. he isnt on the regular kt rolster roster, and just won in the proleague finals. on the other hand he is old ofc...
On August 09 2010 14:47 luanshuju wrote: Why does KT need a new zerg? Isn't YellOw coming back soon?
awesome tempest out, reach in hoejja out, yellow in. next proleague finals we play with the roster being: violet - stats - forgg - reach - yellow - flash!
edit: for real: i think tempest could make a lots of money this fa season. he isnt on the regular kt rolster roster, and just won in the proleague finals. on the other hand he is old ofc...
Playing the Silver Surfer in a finals? A risky venture indeed.
EPT
s2, n.Die_soO, Neo.G_Soulkey, 
BeSt or 
Light. Again, this is a team that's known to sell good players.
