Decided to give this a separate thread.

http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2011/11/29...or-2012-season/

http://nscminnesota.com/2011/11/stars-exercise-18-contract-options/

This is, by the way, the earliest this club, as either the Stars or Thunder, has made this kind of announcement. A good sign, I think.

However, there are questions that remain.

There are five names that remain unaccounted for from this past season's roster.

Joe Warren. Is it truly over? After all, his girls haven't seen him win the US Open Cup yet.

Kevin Friedland. Are his playing days over? With all the work he has done coaching and in the front office, combined with injury struggles over the past few years, is it time for him to devote all his energies behind the scenes?

Daniel Wasson. When his contract was renegotiated at the tail end of last season, did it include the upcoming one as well?

Luke Mulholland and Anthony Hamilton. The two late-season signings were important pieces of our playoff and championship push. If Hamilton is available, will we sign him? If Mulholland isn't signed by MLS, can we bring him back?

As noted elsewhere, Scott Lorenz, the mid-season loan from Sporting KC and key defender for the '10 Stars, was released by MLS. Anyone think he should be brought back?

And as for the list of players picked up, long-time followers of the club know that picking up an option doesn't mean that the player involved will be with the team by the time next season rolls around, even if uninjured.

Jack Stewart, for instance. Loaned to FC Dallas in mid-season. Will Dallas want him back? If so, by picking up his option, the Stars will compel Dallas to give up something (probably cash) for him. Is that the plan? If Dallas decides not to buy his rights, will the club keep him or attempt to move him elsewhere?

And finally, has the club made the right choices so far? Who else, if anyone, would you have released? Who do you think might might have been a mistake to let go? For instance, Geison is currently second in the MISL in scoring. Are we possibly, like the Thunder did with Thiago Martins, a Brazilian forward released by the Thunder in 2002 who, in 2003 for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds went on to score 22 goals and win the A-League MVP award, making a mistake and giving up too early on him?

Questions galore, methinks.

"Any answers?" inquires

That little old jersey collector

Me

Here's the only answer I have:

http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2011/11/29...2-roster-moves/

Which means: Let the speculation continue!

The team exercises their options, but the players still have to agree, and some of the rumors I've heard don't match with the current list...

Rumors?

You've heard...rumors?

Pray tell, what rumors have you heard?

Are they hot rumors? Hot and juicy rumors, perhaps? Mebbe hot, juicy and spicy rumors, even?

Well then, c'mon, oh Hedda Hopper of the NASL, give!

Fork 'em over, Rona Barrett!

Iffn' you got any Page Six material about our faves, lay it on us!

Don't make us wander the streets with a transistor radio tuned to KSTP pressed against one ear and another transistor radio tuned to KFAN pressed against the other, hopin' to catch a mention of our beloved Stars!

Spill it, oh Perez Hilton of the Pitch!

"That's the way - Uh-huh Uh-huh - We like it" belts

That little old jersey collector

Me

Just noticed...

No mention of Ryan Woods.

"Add him to the question marks" edits

That little old jersey collector

Me

One rumor I heard was that Brian Kallman was going to propose to his long-time girlfriend. I am happy to report that this has, in fact, happened and she accepted. I do not know the date of the wedding.

I also heard Joe Warren was going to retire, but I've heard that one before.

There's an odd but interesting story on Woods which I'm trying to figure out how to write about. That's all I will say at this point is he will not be back and is in the UK. I also very much wonder if he will even come back to the states to try to play. I doubt it.

Also, as to Mulholland, the issue with him is the same as it is with Barbara. Being a foreigner is a great disadvantage to getting picked up by an MLS team unless they think you are pretty special and can play and make a difference for them. In other words, the rules make it tougher and they are not looking to bring in too many foreign players as development players. But it does happen as we saw with Wayne Rooney's brother and the Red Bulls last year. It is possible that Mulholland could end up here again but it's probably a long shot. It was a short term contract with him and Hamilton until the end of the season and I'm guessing if he doesn't catch on with an MLS team there is a team that has more money than the Stars that will be willing to fork over the cash for the young man.

Thank you for the info on Kallman. I see him over at the soccer dome in Stillwater--Daughter #1 is playing in the same league as the team he coaches for Woodbury. (It is interesting to watch Kallman in the role of a coach. He does a really good job.)

Okay, I lied. I haven't heard any good rumors, just direct conversation with various players... Unfortunately for this discussion, the information was told in confidence, so there's nothing I can share at this point.

Oh wait, I did hear a rumor that Altman might have to return his Captain Altman banner to us...

I'm hearing Kyle Altman is trialing with the San Jose Earthquakes. I need to follow up on this but it sounds as if he's been out there since last week and so far has been showing well for himself. I'm hearing there are quite a few new guys training in camp that they are taking a look at.

Also, Jack Stewart was training with FC Dallas and has a partial tear of his hamstring and calf right near his meniscus but is recovering well and should be back in a week. He did miss the teams trip to Mexico.

I would buy that Jersey.