MLB Trade Deadline Central

Athletics Acquire Jon Lester
Oakland goes all-in on its World Series chances, as they trade for star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for starting pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes. Lester, who was the ace on the Red Sox championship team a year ago and will be a free agent this offseason, joins a stacked Oakland rotation that now features Scott Kazmir, Jeff Samardijza, Sonny Gray, and Jesse Chavez. Meanwhile, the A's offense takes a bit of a hit, while Boston gets a middle-of-the-order run producer for 1 1/2 years at the least.
Tigers Acquire David Price
A few hours after the A's improved their pitching, the Tigers drastically improved theirs, acquiring 2012 AL Cy Young David Price from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade that also saw Tampa getting Drew Smyly, Nick Franklin, and Willy Adames and Seattle getting Austin Jackson.
Astros Trade Cosart
My hometown Astros continue their annual firesale, trading 24-year old Jarred Cosart, Kiké Hernandez, and minor leaguer Austin Wates in exchange for Colin Moran, Jake Marisnick, Francis Martes, and a 2015 compensation draft pick. Can we please go back to 2005?
Yanks Get Stephen Drew
Yankees and Red Sox swap infielders, with Stephen Drew going to the Bronx, while Kelly Johnson and cash goes to Red Sox.
Nationals Acquire Cabrera
Washington upgrades its infield, getting former all-star SS Asdrubal Cabrera from Cleveland in exchange for Zach Walters
Cardinals Acquire Lackey
Boston's firesale continues as they trade SP John Lackey, Corey Littrell, and cash to St. Louis in exchange for postseason heroes Joe Kelly and Allen Craig.
Brewers Acquire Parra
Milwaukee boosts its outfield depth, getting Geraldo Parra from the Diamondbacks in exchange for Mitch Haniger and Anthony Banda.
Twins Acquire Millone
Minnesota gets lefty SP Tommy Millone from the A's in exchange for outfielder Sam Fuld.
Braves Acquire Russell, Bonifacio from Cubs
Atlanta acquires James Russell and Emilio Bonifacio from Cubs in exchange for Victor Caratini and cash.

Eight Years

Today my blog, The Sports Scene, turns eight years old. Hard to imagine that when I started this blog in the summer of 2006, the U.S. was coming off a disappointing World Cup, George W. Bush was still president, LeBron James had yet to reach an NBA Finals and Texas Longhorn football was still relevant. The fact that what had been a way of relieving boredom during the summertime has lasted this long and been so successful is truly amazing to me. From the great success this blog had on AOL (350 posts, 51000 visitors, #4 ranked blog), to the amount of viewers (nearly 18000) it has had since I moved to Blogger in March of 2009, I would like to thank my readers for coming back.

Just in the past year, I've had almost 3000 page views, including a record 669 views for my 2013 AFC South preview. 

Anyway, once again, thank you to everyone and continue to visit, comment, and email, and look for another great year in superb sports coverage!

Rory McIlroy Wins British Open

It was never in doubt. Rory McIlroy led wire to wire at the Open Championship this weekend, at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, winning by two shots over Sergio Garcia and Ricky Fowler, by shooting 66-66-68-71 to finish at 17-under par. The win gives McIlroy his third career major championship (after the 2011 US Open and 2012 PGA Championship) and puts him one Masters victory away from the career Grand Slam at 25 years old.

"It feels incredible," McIlroy said before heading out to collect the oldest trophy in golf. "Today wasn't easy. A few guys were making runs at me. I just needed to stay focused and stay in the present and really concentrate on what I was doing out there."

World Cup Final

Argentina vs. Germany 3:00 PM ET ABC

It should be a great final at the Maracana with South America against Europe in the 2014 World Cup Final. Germany's firepower was on full display against the host Brazilians, as their strikers Thomas Müller and Miroslav Klose, midfielders Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos were clinical in their finishing. Add to that the playmaking of Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield and the ability of Andre Schurrle off the bench, and the Argentinian defense will have their hands full. Luckily, they have to ability to do so, as the back four of Marcus Rojo, Martin Demichelis, Ezequiel Garay, and Pablo Zabaleta (and midfielder Javier Mascherano) shutout the potent Dutch for 120 minutes, with goalkeeper Sergio Romero serving as the hero in the penalty kick shootout. Argentina's offense runs through Lionel Messi, who will be trying to cement his legacy as the greatest player Argentinian football history by leading his team to the World Cup title. Although his impact on the game against the Netherlands was minimal, I think he'll get more time and space against the Germans. Even still, he'll need help from fellow forwards Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi, or Sergio Aguero, who may finally be available to play.

In the end, although Messi may be the best player on the field (and in the world), the overall German depth is just too strong, as they'll win their 4th World Cup title, which will be a sigh of relief to the Brazilians, who are hoping to avoid the trifecta of losing in the semifinal, losing in the 3rd place game, and watching their archrivals lift the World Cup trophy in their capital.

My Semifinal record: 2-0

LeBron James to Return to Cleveland

Four years after breaking Cleveland's hearts, the King is coming home. In a letter posted on SI.com, LeBron James ended a week of speculation by announcing that he will sign with Cavaliers in an effort to bring a title to a city that has suffered through decades of sports heartbreak.

I think his article is very well-written, detailing his thought process and how he desperately wants to bring a title to Cleveland. Given how badly he handled "The Decision" four years ago, I think this is a great decision that will hopefully stop the endless criticism he's received. (Sorry, bandwagon Heat fans, you can go back to the beach)

Even more exciting, hopefully this is the domino that jump starts the rest of free agency, as Chris Bosh will (hopefully) sign with my Rockets, which would allow them to match the offer sheet the Mavericks gave to forward Chandler Parsons.

Novak Djokovic Wins Wimbledon

In a truly outstanding Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic outlasted Roger Federer 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 to win his 7th career Grand Slam and 2nd Wimbledon title.

The 3 hour, 56 minute match did not lack for drama, as Federer and Djokovic were evenly matched throughout, splitting the first two sets. In the third set, Djokovic seized an early break, and eventually won the tiebreak to move within a set away from breaking his string of three straight Grand Slam final defeats.

And in the fourth set, it looked like he would have the title, as he broke Federer twice to lead 5-2. But Federer rallied by winning an incredible 5 games in a row, including saving match point at 5-4 (after challenging an out call on a serve) to force a fifth and decisive set.

In the final set, Djokovic had to call a medical timeout at 2-1 due to discomfort in his right leg. After the timeout, both players stayed on serve, with Djokovic saving 1 break point and Federer saving 3 break points, until Djokovic got the final break at 5-4 to close out a great final.

"It was a great match to be a part of," said Djokovic, who will reclaim the world #1 ranking from Rafael Nadal, after the match. "[Roger's] a magnificent champion. After dropping the fourth set, it wasn't easy to regroup, but I had to find the necessary energy."

Meanwhile, for Roger Federer, a great tournament run comes to an end one win short of his quest for a record-8th Wimbledon title and 18th Grand Slam.

"Going into a match with Novak is always going to be tough," Federer said after the match. "... I can only say congratulations today. ... Well deserved."

Happy Independence Day

HAPPY JULY FOURTH everyone. Today, our country is 238 years old. I hope everyone will enjoy the fireworks tonight and stay cool.

Earlier today, Joey Chestnut successful defended his title to win his 8th Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, downing 61 hotdogs in 10 minutes.

Also, at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic won his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 to advance to the final to face Roger Federer, who beat Milos Raonic in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. 

At the World Cup in Brazil, two quarterfinal matches will be played with Germany taking on France and Brazil playing Colombia. (Give me Germany and Brazil advancing, although I will be rooting for Columbia)

If you're in front of a TV tonight, check out the an MLS Doubleheader with the NY Red Bulls @ Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers @ LA Galaxy starting at 8:30 PM ET on NBCSN.