Today’s draft — we can’t even say this week’s draft in MLS — is the MLS Re-Entry Draft, and if you’re wondering what that is, you’re probably not alone.
It’s a draft to allow clubs an opportunity to pick up a player whose option has been declined or who is out of contract, and it’s a two-stage draft. This is the first stage, and players who are selected must be given a contract offer or picked up at their option salary. Importantly, players can also opt out of the re-entry draft, choosing to explore other options — perhaps with their current club, perhaps in another league, or for some other reasons.