In a move several observers could see coming, the Galaxy today announced they have traded goalkeeper Joe Cannon to the San Jose Earthquakes, reuniting him with previous Galaxy coach Frank Yallop, with whom he won an MLS Cup in 2001.

Capable of some incredible saves, Cannon was also known for some horrible errors and was somewhat eccentric to say the least. A couple of reporters were surprised to see Cannon apparently sobbing in the locker room after one Galaxy loss last season.

New Coach Ruud Gullit didn't become an instant fan; he pulled Cannon at half time in his first game in charge during the post-season tour of Australia and replaced him with backup Steve Cronin, whose new multiyear contract was made public Wednesday.

With Cannon earning almost $200,000 a year, the move is likely to free up some much-needed salary cap room for the Galaxy.

From the (edited) Galaxy press release:

The LA Galaxy announced today that they have traded goalkeeper Joe Cannon to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for allocation money.

Cannon was acquired by the Galaxy from Colorado prior to the start of the 2007 season and played one season with the club. He started 29 of the Galaxy’s 30 regular season games, as well as all five matches in the club’s run to the SuperLiga Final. Cannon had a record of 9-13-7 this past season, tallying five clean sheets and posting a 1.59 goals-against-average.

Meanwhile, having just bid good riddance to an injury-riddled 2007, it appears the Galaxy are starting the New Year much the same way they ended the old one.

Dependable Canadian right back Ante Jazic will miss the start of the new season after undergoing ankle surgery. An ankle injury limited his appearances last season, too.

From the (edited) Galaxy press release:

LA Galaxy defender Ante Jazic is expected to miss anywhere from 4-6 months after undergoing surgery on his right ankle. Jazic, 31, underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right ankle late last month that revealed the extent of his injuries, leading to a more extensive cartilage debridement, which is a removal and smoothing of the cartilage. The surgery was performed by Dr. Kenneth Jung at the Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center in Los Angeles. Under the current timeline, Jazic is scheduled to be able to return to action early in the 2008 MLS season.

A Canadian international with 15 career caps, Jazic has appeared in 29 regular season games for the Galaxy since being signed by the club in August 2006. A veteran of Austrian, Croatian and Russian soccer, Jazic appeared in 18 games for the Galaxy in 2007, starting 16 of the club’s 30 matches. He missed more than a month after suffering an ankle injury on August 18 against New York at Giants Stadium and also missed time while with the Canadian National Team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

In addition to Jazic, two other Galaxy players also underwent surgery over the recent holiday period, with goalkeeper Joe Cannon and defender Troy Roberts each undergoing hernia operations here in Los Angeles. Both players are scheduled to be ready to practice with the club when preseason training begins next month.

That press release was issued a couple of hours before the Cannon trade was announced, in case you're wondering.

The beneficiary is likely to be versatile Galaxy defender Mike Randolph, who admirably stepped into the breach last season and earned himself a callup to the U.S. Under-23 team.