Bunchastuff: Rafael Soriano, Kevin Durant, D'brickashaw, Ilya Kovalchuk and more

Today's been a pretty quiet day outside of the Bosh-Wade team-up, which is going to be the story of the day until we find out who will be playing in the World Cup Final or unless a Cliff Lee trade goes down today. Nonetheless, here's the other news of the day....

BASEBALL - Due to a nagging left side and ailing right knee, Yankees' closer and future hall of famer Mariano Rivera, will sit out the All-Star Game in order to rest himself for the second half of the season. It was announced today that the Tampa Bay Rays' closer, RHP Rafael Soriano will replace Rivera on the roster. For Soriano, it's his first All-Star selection, as he is 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA and 23 saves in 24 save opportunities this season. Soriano will join teammates 3B Evan Longoria, RHP David Price, and OF Carl Crawford as the four Rays' representatives.

BASKETBALL - Amidst today's big news about Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, Kevin Durant's signing made headlines. Durant, 21, however, isn't a free agent and isn't looking to leave Oklahoma anytime soon. The face of the Oklahoma City Thunder signed an extension for $86 million over five-years, that will keep the star SF in Oklahoma through the 2015-16 season. Durant's new contract will kick in after the 2011-12 season, after his old contract expires. The 6-9 Durant, the second overall pick in the 2007 draft by the then Seattle Supersonics (who are now the Oklahoma City Thunder), has established himself as one of the greatest players in the NBA, scoring an average of 30.1 points per game this season, a stat that is bound to increase as he matures.

"Kevin wanted to make this commitment to the Thunder because he and his family are very appreciative of the commitment that the Thunder have made to him," Goodwin said of the five-year arrangement.

"The Thunder showed the Durant family from the very beginning, at 11:01 [Central time] the first night, that they were committed to keeping him," Goodwin said, referring to the start of the free-agency period. "There were just a few legal things to work out. Kevin made it clear that he wanted to be in Oklahoma."

On his Twitter page Wednesday, Durant said that "God Is Great, me and my family came a long way."

FOOTBALL - The New York Jets re-signed offensive tackle D'brickashaw Ferguson to a eight-year $73.6 million contract. He will be signed through 2017 and is the highest paid offensive linemen. At the moment, the Jets are also trying to re-sign CB Darelle Revis, C Nick Mangold and LB David Harris.

HOCKEY - The Edmonton Oilers signed #1 overall pick LW Taylor Hall to a three-year contract worth $2.7 million, along with some bonuses that will max the contract to $3.75 million. "Now, it's time to work," Hall said. "All the excitement is over. I'm excited to get started tomorrow. I know this signing is only the first step. I've got a lot of work to do in that camp." When the four-day development camp opens, Hall will be lacing his skates alongside 2009 first-rounder Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, taken 10th overall, and 2008 first-rounder Jordan Eberle, selected 22nd. (ESPN)

- Not sure how I missed this but former Montreal Canadiens' goalie Jaroslav Halak has signed a four-year deal worth $15 million with the St. Louis Blues. Halak, 25, was traded from Montreal to St. Louis for top prospect-center Lars Eller and RW/LW Ian Shultz last month. Halak, while not only having an outstanding regular season for the Canadiens, was critical last year in the playoffs for a Montreal team that upset the Washington Capitals in the first round and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round before being eliminated by the champion-to-be, Chicago Blackhawks.

More details from ESPN:
Halak, 25, will earn $2.75 million next season; $3.5 million in 2011-12; $4.25 million in 2012-13; and $4.5 million in 2013-14. "Jaroslav will be a big help for our organization moving forward," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "He has made a great commitment to the Blues as he enters the prime of his career."

Halak was 26-13-5 last season, and was fourth in the NHL in save percentage (.940); ninth in goals-against average (2.40); and tied for fifth with five shutouts.

"I've been looking forward to playing in St. Louis ever since the trade was announced," Halak said. "I believe in my abilities and hope to do some good things for the Blues."

- The Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes ramble on, as now the Los Angeles Kings have now re-entered the mix to sign the star winger. Last Sunday, the Kings pulled themselves out of the running after Kovalchuk rejected their contract offer. After the Kings pulled out, the New Jersey Devils, Kovalchuk's former team, were deemed the favorite to sign him. Monday, the New York Post reported the Devils were on the verge of signing Kovalchuk to a six-year, $60 million deal, which has not come to fruition. (ESPN)

WORLD CUP SOCCER - The results are in, as Spain defeated Germany 1-0 to seal their World Cup Final ticket. On Sunday, the Spaniards will play the Netherlands for the World Cup Championship.