Wednesday night deep thoughts

A lot is going on, so let's get started....

- The Chris Paul ordeal is finally over as the NBA has agreed to allow the trade of the Hornets star point guard to the Clippers for three players and a very key draft pick, which will be discussed in a moment. The Clippers will also get two second-round picks. I'm just glad this is finally over and the focus can actually be on the game on the court starting Christmas Day.
- Now to that draft pick, New Orleans is getting Minnesota's 1st round pick in 2012. Why is this important? From all indications, the Timberwolves won't make the playoffs and could be one of the worst teams in the league meaning the Hornets could end up with two of the top picks in the 2012 draft. May be able to rebuild very quickly.
- While Paul is being traded, Dwight Howard won't be....for now. The Magic has decided to wait to see if the market heats up more for Howard and maybe wait until closer to the trade deadline. Orlando is the kind of team that could have used Paul or maybe another superstar to pair with Howard. No state tax in Florida should be a big selling point.
- On a much more serious note, Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will undergo surgery for a kidney condition and will be away from the team for 7-10 days. Phillips has completely turned around Houston's defense, going from the worst last season to near the top this season. Wishes go out to Phillips for a speedy recovery.
- Also in the NFL, the league has renewed the TV deals with CBS, Fox and NBC through the 2022 season. A few changes are coming to your TV with this deal. First, the deal allows the NFL Network to expand their Thursday Night Football package. Sure seems like Thursday games are going to be all season long starting next season to me. The Thanksgiving night game will now be shown on NBC so all three Turkey Day games will be on free TV and flexible scheduling continues with a change. You may see AFC games on Fox and NFC games on CBS along with networks can not simulcast games online. Interesting developments to make the NFL viewer even more happy.
- In MLB news, the Red Sox traded Jed Lowrie to the Astros for closer Mark Melancon. Boston was in need of a closer after Jonathan Papelbon left to go to Philadelphia. I'm not sure Melancon will be the closer though next season. Ryan Madson, who was the Phillies' closer for most of last season, is still available. Melancon would be better-suited in a set-up role anyway. Boston isn't done with signings yet, trust me.

That's all for now......back in the morning.

Friday thoughts

As we approach the weekend, a quick group of observations...

- Edwin Jackson looks really good in a White Sox uniform after a 13-strikeout game in a 5-1 win over the Rays
- Nice to see the Pirates fans supporting their team after a hot start, over 39,000 at PNC Park Thursday
- Nothing like a ton of day baseball, the way it should be. I guess more for summer time when the kids are out school but more day ball please
- Dear Red Sox, win a game sometime before June
- Expect something strange to happen this weekend between the Cubs and Brewers in Milwaukee. Something we haven't seen in a long time, don't know exactly what though
- Note to Tsuyoshi Nishioka, while you are out with your broken leg, try to find a way to get stronger. I hate to tell you but you are going to get hurt more if you don't and learn to play the American game

Now back to watch more tape....

Midweek Report

Changes are upon us...let's take a look

- Finally, the Angels decided that they had enough of Mr. Rodney yesterday putting Jordan Walden into the closer's role. The kid proved his worth saving his first chance of the season. Walden is a kid who bares watching as the season goes on, a great pickup for any fantasy team and if he can hang on to the role, someone who has a very bright future ahead of him.
- The injury of the year is going to the appendix. Adam Dunn had emergency surgery to remove his last night and Matt Holliday went through the same thing last week. Should they be an over/under on how many more of these we see this season?
- Another tread from Tuesday was all the extra inning games with four games going to the 10th or later. Managers have got to hate this and the chance they blow their bullpen out this early in the season, forcing them to look for help from the minors.
- Are the Red Sox even planning to win a game? This time, Boston lost to the Indians while only having four hits on the night. Is there a chemistry issue starting off here? You have to figure a turnaround is coming since it is only four games but any slump is a slump.
- More trending is the fact that you have to be scared when the Royals have the last at-bat. Four wins in their final at-bat this season already including last night's 12 inning win over the White Sox. A 4-1 start in KC, impressive. How long does it last though?
- Here's what to look for today....Will the Rangers stay undefeated having to face King Felix and the Mariners? Can the Orioles stay undefeated against the Tigers and Justin Verlander? Who wins first, the Rays or the Astros?

Thoughts and questions to start the baseball day, time to get back to the dugout.