Ruiz, Yes; Denilson, No?

Buzz Carrick at the FC Dallas-focused blog 3rd Degree is reporting that the team has picked up their 2008 option on forward Carlos Ruiz, while at the same time declining the '08 option on Designated Player bust Denilson.
What that means for the club is that, effectively, Denilson is now a free agent and can be signed by any team. Carrick says the Dallas Morning News has quoted FCD coach Steve Morrow as saying the club hopes to bring back the Brazilian next year, but at a much lower price. If the club had exercised their option, Denilson would be guaranteed over $1 million in 2008, but his play up to this point has clearly not been up to snuff for Hoops officials.

After being pursued for much of the summer, Denilson was officially signed to a contract on August 23, 2007, becoming the league's fourth Designated Player amid much fanfare. On the field, however, the results just weren't there. Starting seven games down the stretch, Denilson scored just once - on a penalty kick - and had zero assists. Sure, the trickery was abundant, but it seemed to be more of a distraction to the team's chemistry. In the team's semifinal 1-0 victory over the eventual champion Houston Dynamo, coach Morrow opted to bench Denilson and did not even see fit to sub the former World Cup winner into the match.

So, unless he is willing to take a massive pay cut, it sounds like Denilson will not be in an FC Dallas uniform next year.

Ruiz may not return either, for what it's worth, but his exodus would have to be mediated through a trade with another club, as Dallas will retain his rights through the 2008 season by picking up his option. Rumors throughout last season had Ruiz returning to the Los Angeles Galaxy, but nothing ever materialized. One of three players to be included in the DP grandfather clause (along with Landon Donovan and Eddie Johnson), Ruiz is set to earn $435,000 in 2008, but a trade would mean new contract negotiations with his new team.

FC Dallas has already lost one key player from last season; Clarence Goodson was left unprotected and subsequently selected by the San Jose Earthquakes in last month's expansion draft. Goodson was the heart of the club's defense and his head was always dangerous when coming forward on set pieces, thanks to his 6'4" frame.