I was just thinking about several items that found themselves coming to the front of my mind. For example:
The Arizona Diamondbacks have a real issue on their plate. Some fans and protesters in Phoenix continue to call for the 2011 All Star Game and festivities to be moved from Phoenix because of the recent immigration law passed by the State of Arizona. Several conferences and conventions have canceled their meetings planned for the state. The economic impact will be tremendous. Stay tuned.

Cliff Lee is back in form. I still think he leaves Seattle the minute his papers for free agency are filed and dry at the end of the season. I still believe that's why he's no longer with the Phillies. I believe they felt strongly that he would test the market and engage in a lengthy free agent process that would leave the Phillies wondering if he would sign with them or someone else. So they decided to send him to Seattle for some good prospects. By the way, I really like Tyson Gillies, the outfielder the Phils got in the deal for Lee.

With their current rotation, how does Tampa Bay ever give Jeremy Hellickson his chance? I'm sure they'll figure it out. Those guys can pitch. The Rangers and Rays have some scary pitching that other teams can only dream about.

In case you hadn't noticed, Juan Miranda is now up with the Yankees because of Nick Johnson's most recent appearance on the disabled list. Miranda has some pop. I've seen him in the Arizona Fall League. He's a big, strong guy with an uppercut swing. He could play well in Yankee Stadium against right-handed pitchers.

It's not early anymore. We're into the 2nd month of the season. The Angels have to be concerned about the lack of production they're getting from Juan Rivera and Hideki Matsui. They need those bats to come alive before Texas really starts rolling. And I think Texas will really start rolling.

If you heard me with Jeff and Chris on their fantastic Sirius-XM Fantasy show, I indicated I felt Justin Smoak's power was yet to come. He promptly went out and homered the same evening. Oh well. I still think he's going to have awesome power down the road. The road may not be as long as I think.

I don't know what the Rangers need on their roster other than a good hitting catcher, (unless they begin to trust Max Ramirez behind the plate) but they sure have the players to go get whatever piece or pieces they want. They can start by dangling Chris Davis. And Salty.

A Cubs scout told me yesterday that the team can not figure out what is wrong with Aramis Ramirez. The team is frustrated with the cold bats. Especially the one in the hands of Ramirez. Haven't we seen that movie before? Now it's in re-runs.

Roy Halladay didn't look the same to me when I watched him on television against Colorado yesterday. Maybe it was Coors Field. But he should have gotten good sink on the ball with the bad weather. I'm not saying anything's wrong. He just didn't look the same to me.

Bet you wish you had Brennan Boesch on your roster. I'm a believer. Great gap power from a big, athletic body. I think he has carved out a place for himself on the Tigers roster. Even when Carlos Guillen returns.

I'm thrilled for Jake Westbrook that he finally won a game in 2010. Now you can look for the Indians to trade him at the July deadline. If he shows any command from now to then, he's gone.

How great is it to watch Carlos Gonzalez play baseball for the Rockies? He takes pitchers deep into counts, he has a level swing without trying to do too much, he plays outstanding outfield and he hustles on every play. He's among the countless reasons I picked the Rockies to soar at the beginning of the season.

See! If the Reds would only let Chris Heisey play they would be rewarded. He needs to play to hit. It's very tough for him to rake when he's sitting on the bench. I know I'm a broken record about Heisey. But Dusty's learning to trust him a little more. And Heisey will reward him.

Jeff and Chris had Albert Pujols as a guest on their Fantasy radio show. That's fantastic. Great job! We're talking Albert Pujols.

Vin Scully was in the press box at Chase Field yesterday calling the game for the Dodgers. I was concerned he wouldn't be making road trips since his fall earlier this year. We are so fortunate to still be able to listen to Scully call a game. He's still among the best.

And just when is it that the Padres and A's begin their collapse?

Here's the situation. What would you do? Men on second and third and Andre Ethier is up. Right handed pitcher on the mound for the DBacks. Manny is on deck. Do you pitch to Ethier (he leads the league in all 3 Triple Crown categories and had homered earlier in the game) or do you walk him and pitch to Manny? You want to bring a lefty in and pitch to Andre? Sorry. No lefties on the Dbacks entire pitching staff. A. J. Hinch elected to walk Ethier and pitch to Manny. Bam! Right off the wall in dead center field. If the wall weren't there the ball would have landed in Scottsdale. It was a no win situation. What would you have done? By the way, the last time Hinch faced the same situation he pitched to Ethier. Ethier hit a home run. And you want to be a manager?

By the way, how can a big league club function without one lefty on the staff? None. Zero. Nada. Aaron Heilman is doing well against left-handed hitters. But still, no lefties?

Here is my early short list of players I think are good trade bait: Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Jhonny Peralta, Lyle Overbay, Stephen Drew, Jonny Gomes, Ryan Theriot, Corey Hart, and anyone named Hairston. There are certainly more, but those guys make my early short list. And yours?