BSJ Daily Briefing 10.11.18: Waiting on Houston, Patriots' cap (semi-)crisis, B's host Oilers

Good morning! 

A few random thoughts while we wait for the Astros' Wagon to get into town...

• Hope you checked out Miguel's cap story. It's very important if you're a Patriots fan.


• I think we've all gotten used to the Patriots basically being able to do whatever they wanted personnel-wise near the trade deadline because they've always, smartly, left themselves wiggle room with the cap. That didn't seem to be the case this season, so I asked Miguel to look into it and report back. That's exactly what he did, in straight-forward fashion. Just the facts ma'am.


• Basically, unless the Patriots do something totally out of character for them — the kind of short-sighted financial tricks we've laughed at other teams for doing and have hurt those other teams — they're broke this season. They're so broke they're going to have to do some things just to meet payroll by the end of the season.


• It seemed no one else was talking about this, so I asked Miguel to signal the alarm now — if he found that was indeed the case — so his brethren could be informed on what's going on.


• Part II will delve in what the Patriots can do to create more cap room, and what Miguel thinks the Patriots will do.


• Looking forward to the Bruins taking on Connor McDavid, Milan Lucic and the Oilers tonight. Edmonton has played one game so far (5-2 loss to the Devils).


• How is it that four NHL teams have played just one game? Seven teams have played four. That makes no sense.


• Red Sox get back at it with media/workout at Fenway this afternoon. Time to turn the page to the ALCS. A lot of unfinished business. Beating the Yankees is always great and an accomplishment, but the Red Sox were better than them and Boston took care of business. The Astros are the challenge.