December 9th update

Los Angeles Angels Strike Gold

• The Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim) spent more than $325 million in a few hours on Thursday morning. In doing so they scored the two biggest prizes of the free agency class in what some people are calling questionable contracts.
• The first (and biggest) signing was Albert Pujols to a 10-year contract. The size of the contract is $250 million, which is greater than what any other team was offering. Additionally, Pujols was given a “no-trade clause” which gives him the ability to reject any attempt the Angels would make to trade him to another team (although he would be able to waive that clause if a future trade was to his agreement). Pujols, who will be 41 years old by the end of the contract, was looking for a 10-year deal. Some teams were reticent to give it to him, but it looks like the Angels are going to start spending the considerable money their owner, Artie Moreno, has.
• The second big signing was that of former Texas Rangers starting pitcher CJ Wilson. Wilson was the best pitcher on the market and the Angels were able to get him for a 5-year deal worth $77.5 million. The signing is especially meaningful for the Angels because the Rangers are the two time defending champions not only of the division the Angels play in (the AL West) but have represented the A.L. in the last 2 World Series.


Paul deal to Lakers nixed in NBA flurry

• Kobe Bryant almost had a dream backcourt mate as superstar Olympian PG Chris Paul seemed to be on his way to the city of Angels to join the Lake show in a 3 team deal that would have sent Pau Gasol to the Houston Rockets and multiple lesser pieces to the New Orleans Hornets.
• However, the NBA technically owns the Hornets, whose former owner was broke and had the team repossessed so to speak a few years ago. Because of this unusual arrangement, the other NBA owners felt that it was unfair to have Paul go to an already dominant team like the Lakers although this makes it very tough for ANY team to get Paul as it seems that the precedent has been set and any team who does not acquire Paul could just complain and keep him from going anywhere else.
• In other deals, Caron Butler signed a 3 year, $24 million deal with the L.A. Clippers (who look like a team on the rise), another former Maverick, Tyson Chandler, looks to be on his way to New York to join Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, and Greg Oden looks like he will rejoin the Portland Trail Blazers where he hopes to avoid the debilitating injuries that have derailed his career so far.


Weekend NFL Preview

• Two teams going in opposite directions: Philadelphia Eagles at Miami Dolphins – The Philadelphia Eagles came into this season with expectations a mile high, and have fallen completely flat. The Dolphins started the season with 7 straight losses, but have won 4 of the last 5 games and actually look like a good team despite their mediocre record. This game is a textbook example of two teams with different expectations going in vastly different directions.
• Can the Lions Recover?: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – The Detroit Lions started the season strong winning 5 straight games. But they have since lost 5 of their next 7, including the last two which were on national TV against the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, the two best teams in the NFC. They now get to take on one of the weakest teams in the league and restart their push toward the playoffs where they have not been since 1999.
• NFL Game of the Week: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – The two top teams in the NFC East clash in Dallas. The Cowboys, coming off an embarrassing loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week, look to extend their division lead over the Giants. Eli Manning and the Giants are looking to tie the Cowboys atop the division but no matter who loses, they'll have a rematch just a few weeks later when the teams play again, this time in New York (well, technically New Jersey).