Weekly Thoughts: 7/24/16

• The NFL had a bit of an eventful last week. First, on Friday, it was announced that Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell was suspended four games (again), but this time for missing a drug test (or drug tests), not failing one. Either Bell simply forgot the test, he just happened to be busy with important matters at the times of the tests, or he knew he would fail them. Then news started spreading that Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott had been accused of  domestic violence. The accuser said he hit her while sitting in a car, but three witnesses (including one in the car) said they didn't see him touch her. Elliott' ex-girlfriend also posted pictures of bruises on instagram, saying it (the abuse) had been happening for months, and tagging Elliott. Elliott denied any wrongdoing, saying he even had texts that she was out to get him for breaking up with her. He has not been charged, and authorities are investigating. A situation like this (if it is proven that he didn't do anything) is why everyone should be treated as innocent until proven guilty. But, as I saw someone on Twitter make a point of, how do athletes (or any other famous people) prevent false accusations from happening? Even if they're proven innocent, just an accusation could potentially tarnish a reputation. The NFL world also lost former coach Dennis Green at age 67 on Thursday night. He was best known for his "They are who we thought they were" rant, but he also coached two teams over 16 seasons, and won Super Bowl XXIII. 
• More NFL news came out at the beginning of this week. First, on Sunday night, an archived Periscope video from a periscope account supposedly run by Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (he appears in many of the account's videos), who is currently suspended indefinitely under the league's substance abuse policy, got around. In it, a man (who is not shown) and a woman are smoking a blunt. The woman questions the man about why he is Periscoping it, and the man says, "They don't know it's me. It's not like I put 'Aldon Smith'". In response, Smith tweeted, "Good try, not me" today. Either he is really stupid, was so high he didn't realize what he was doing at the time, or is telling the truth. Today, Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, who, like Smith, had been suspended indefinitely under the substance abuse policy, was conditionally reinstated and suspended for the first four games. He'll be able to got to team meetings and have contact with coaches during this time. Obviously, he's on a short leash with the new coaching staff, but if he can finally stay clean, he is one of the league's elite receivers (I'd put him in the top five).
• The MLB trade deadline is a week a way, and trade rumors are heating up. Today, the Cubs acquired flamethrowing lefty Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees to solidify their bullpen. In exchange, the Yankees received 19-year-old shortstop Gleyber Torres (ranked 24th overall in MLB.com's latest prospect rankings, 27th in Baseball America's, and 26th in ESPN Insider Kieth Law's), reliever Adam Warren, and minor league outfielders Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford. From an on-the-field standpoint, this definitely helps the Cubs in their quest for their first World Series title since 1908, as Chapman is one of the best relievers in baseball. This is also the right move for the Yankees, who probably won't make the playoffs, and got a pretty good-looking return for a reliever who was suspended the first 29 games of the season for a domestic violence incident and is in the last year of his contract. 
• Trades aren't the only notable transactions that occur this time of year in Major League Baseball. Two top prospects were called up yesterday. The Astros called up top prospect Alex Bregman (ranked 18th by MLB.com, 8th by Baseball America, and 1st by Kieth Law) after weeks of speculation. Bregman tore up AAA, and will probably play some third base and left field for the Astros. Meanwhile, the Rockies called up outfielder David Dahl (40th by MLB.com, 16th by Baseball America, and 31st by Kieth Law), who will get ample playing time, and will get a permanent spot if the Rockies decide to trade any of their outfielders.
• Speaking of trades, there have been rumors that the White Sox may be shopping ace Chris Sale (although they are reportedly looking for "five top prospects" in return, according to Jon Heyman). On Saturday afternoon, the White Sox scratched Sale from his scheduled start that night. The first thought by many was that a trade might be imminent. Then the White Sox announced they had sent him home due to a "non-physical incident" prior to the game. That was odd enough, but it got stranger. Apparently, Sale didn't like the throwback uniforms the team was slated to wear, so he took everybody's unis and cut them all up so they couldn't be worn. He also did it because he felt the front office and ownership cared more about PR and jersey sales than winning. He was suspended five days by the team on Sunday. I can respect that Sale was standing up against "The Man", especially since this is not the first time this season he has voiced displeasure with the higher-ups (Adam LaRoche retired in Spring Training after the organization told him he could no longer bring his son into the dugout), although I feel like there were probably better ways to go about it then going all Edward Scizzorhands on the uniforms.

Weekly Thoughts (7/18/16)

Hello again, everyone. It's been too long. If you haven't heard, we've undergone a little remodeling. We're now called "Head In The Game", and I've brought on Troy Lehman as a writer. If you, like me, are against pennies, like obscure sports, and enjoy movie-related jokes, you'll love him. He'll be mainly covering basketball (of the NBA, college, and Olympic variety). As for me, look for my fantasy football preview and an Olympics viewing guide in the near future. But first, I've decided to try a weekly article where I just share some (somewhat) random thoughts (hopefully I come up with a catchier name for it at some point). We'll see how this goes.

• The answer to violence is not more violence. Can't we all just get along?

• There are rumors the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to trade Russell Westbrook with the increased likelihood that he won't re-sign with them next year. If I were the Thunder, I would try to trade him as soon as possible. Their chances of contending for a title don't look great after KD left, and as an elite player, Westbrook has immense trade value. If they don't trade him, though, I look forward to him going for 50 every game.

• It's trade season in Major League Baseball, and a big one went down last week between the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres. Padres GM A.J. Preller once again got great value in a trade with Boston (he traded closer Craig Kimbrel there last year), trading All-Star pitcher Drew Pomeranz, who's having a career year, for 18-year-old top prospect Anderson Espinosa, who's been lauded by many as a future ace.

• The Houston Astros made news when they signed Cuban star Yulieski Gurriel to a 5-year, $47.5 million contract last weekend. With the addition of him, and the continued dominance of top prospect Alex Bregman in Triple-A, the 'Stros, who are playing great after a slow start, look primed for a postseason run.

• With that in mind, here are the five teams I think are most likely to win the World Series (as of right now):

1. San Francisco Giants - It's an even year. 'Nuff said.
2. Cleveland Indians - This year is the year! BELIEVELAND!!!
3. Toronto Blue Jays - I still think they're an ace away from the World Series.
4. Houston Astros - Ditto
5. Washington Nationals - Maybe they'll finally live up to the expectations?

• I am more of a believer in Ben Simmons than I was a few months ago. Like many people, I was unimpressed with him during his one year at LSU, but the #1 overall pick via the Philadelphia 76ers showed off his otherworldly passing skills and all-around talent during Summer League. Now, if only he could shoot...