A Zimple Deal? Walker Zimmerman heads to Nashville SC

Walker Zimmerman has been the main focal point of two MLS blockbuster trades in his career so far. Back in 2018 FC Dallas traded away their star American youngster defender Walker Zimmerman to an expansion side LAFC. Dallas was able to get $500,000 in total allocation money for Zimmerman in what looked like a great “sale” price. Now let’s fast forward to current day where that same LAFC squad just turned around to “sell” their even better version of Walker Zimmerman to another expansion club in Nashville SC. LAFC doubled what they spent on Zimmerman back in 2018 and was able to get a total of $950,000 in allocation money, which can increase to a little over $1,000,000 if Zimmerman hits certain goal points. 

In business terms that a pretty good investment. Buying something and then in two years time your investment doubles. But a great business deal doesn’t necessarily mean it didn’t take people by shock. I reached out to LAFC Digital writer and co-host of the Inside LAFC Podcast, Vince La Rosa for some insight. “The trade took us all by surprise a bit. I knew LAFC was deep at center back but didn’t see it coming.” I think that through the initial shock however Vince agreed that it was a good deal. “Nashville gets a guy that knows what it’s like to anchor a back line and help build a winning culture. LAFC gets a record amount for a defender in a trade and it opens an opportunity for someone like Tristan Blackmon. I think he has a really high ceiling as a center back and the tools to fit LAFC’s high line in defense. Time will tell, but I really think both teams are winners in this instance”. 

I also reached out to Araceli Villanueva who is the LAFC and Sporting Kansas City reporter for Switch The Pitch and this is what she had to say:  “The Black and Gold community was blindsided by the announcement of Walker Zimmerman’s trade. However, it is a good business move - considering we still have players like Eddie Segura, Tristan Blackmon, Dejan Jaković, Danilo Silva and Jordan Harvey still on the roster. And since Blackmon has really stepped up during Zimmerman’s absence for the Gold Cup and started for the latter part of last season. Walker will always be apart of our club’s history. There’s no doubt he’ll be greatly missed”.  I think I can agree with her and Vince’s takes. Though there will be a giant Walker sized hole on that backline, it was a must do business deal. 

I am interested to see what LAFC do from here. To me they have to go out and sign either a starting caliber center-back or right-back. If they go out and get a starting right-back, then bump Blackmon inside to center-back. If they sign a starting center-back then put Blackmon out on the right. To me I think going and signing free agent Steven Beitashour is a smart move but… I mean who am I? 

As far as Nashville, they are going out and creating a MLS experienced roster. Dax, Accam, Godoy, Lovitz, and now Walker. They are trying to avoid inaugural seasons like we’ve seen in the past (Looking at you Minnesota and Cincy). At least if they won’t compete for MLS Cup or even the playoffs, they won’t finish as a record bad.