The first half is in the books. The All Star game is over. Take a short look back with me while I think out loud.

The All Star game was on the line in the bottom of the 9th with A Rod still available. Of course he'll pinch hit. No doubt about it. Fantastic strategy by Joe Giirardi. Keep that big bat on the bench until the right moment. What a brilliant move by the World Series manager. A Rod with the game on the line in the 9th. He'll hit for John Buck, right? OK, not for Buck. At the very least, he'll run for David Ortiz. Whew. Outstanding. A Rod's fast enough to get the job done. Even with a bad hip. He's certainly faster than Ortiz. Wrong. Uh, what was wrong with that picture? Ortiz ran for himself and got thrown out on Buck's little blooper to right. Pitcher Fausto Carmona was available to pinch run even if Girardi didn't want to use A Rod to run. It makes perfect sense to have one of your best players get a good feel for the bench for an entire game when home field advantage for the World Series on the line. How dumb am I? Of course it makes sense. He can count the remaining pieces of Bazooka or make sure the bats are lined up properly in the bat rack. Both are critical functions for a winning team. And leaving A Rod on the bench even makes more sense if YOUR TEAM has an outstanding chance to be in that same World Series. Duh!

Having a player from every team on the All Star roster is very, very important to MLB. However, playing a player from every team doesn't seem to have the same importance. Ask Fausto Carmona, the only Cleveland Indians rep. He didn't get to pitch. Maybe it's because he didn't belong in the game anyway. But man, did he look good in pre-game introductions. Chief Wahoo should have been crying and not smiling. So much for having a player from every team.

The Angels admit they want a big bat in the second half for their lineup. They are looking at guys that aren't tied up for multiple years. One of their important scouts was at the Diamondbacks game looking at Adam LaRoche. He should heat up in the second half. While Mark Trumbo is hitting home runs in AAA, he's only a .270 hitter and they may want more average from first base. The Angels want a veteran, proven hitter if they make a deal. Problem? They don't have much available in return. Brandon Wood could be used as a chip, but his value has really dropped. Peter Bourjos (speedy OF) could be part of a deal, but he would only be one part. I look for C Hank Conger to be part of any package the Angels offer in trade for a new first baseman. The Angels have to move quickly or be buried by the Rangers.

The Giants really do want Corey Hart. The price? Either Madison Bumgarner or Jonathan Sanchez. It will take pitching to get Hart. It will take hitting to get Giants pitching. It's a trade that helps both clubs. Once and for all, the Giants will have to pull the trigger and give up one of their pitchers if they ever want to get some help in the middle of that batting order. It's been three years that the Giants have had outstanding pitching but no hitting to support those great mound efforts. Get it done. The deal helps both clubs.

You may want to remember this name---Jared Goedert. He's a 3B for Columbus (AAA) in the Indians organization. If Jhonny Peralta gets traded (we can only hope, wish, dream, etc. that it happens) Goedert may get called up before Lonnie Chisenhall. Goedert is hitting very well and the Tribe may want to keep Chisenhall in the minor leagues longer. Goedert could be a good fill in for you at 3B.

Wouldn't Kelly Johnson (2b) and C Chris Snyder be a good tandem for the Diamondbacks to trade to Boston for Manny Delcarmen and someone else? Or to Philly? Both Johnson and Snyder have some value.

A trade of shortstops was announced today. Alex Gonzalez goes from the Blue Jays to the Braves for Yunel Escobar. Yes, I had heard all the negative comments about Escobar's attitude. His teammates were upset about his lack of hustle and lackadaisical play. The Blue Jays hope his change of scenery will change that attitude. Good luck with that. Gonzalez is 33. Escobar is 27. There you have it. Motive for the Blue Jays. Motive for the Braves. They're in the hunt for a trophy and Gozalez is hitting bombs.

Maybe A Rod was hurt. Uh,..... no! He seemed very healthy waiting patiently on the bench.

I hope you noticed that Matt Garza closed a game last week. What's up with that? Just askin'.

Second half means heat and different atmospheric conditions in baseball. Look for the hitters to smack the ball out of the park more often and the pitchers to struggle a little more in the second half. It won't be drastic, but it'll happen.

Did you notice that CC only had one K in his start at Seattle last week? For me, CC was only So So and I'm a little concerned about the balls that are being put in play against him. I'd like him to miss more bats.

Who's your NL MVP? Tough call but I still like Joey Votto and Martin Prado. Martin Prado you say? MVP you say? Yes. What a player. Key hits at key times and good defense. but Votto's my main man.

My AL MVP is Miguel Cabrera. He reminds me so much of Manny when Manny was in Cleveland and hungry. The ball just makes that special sound coming off Cabrera's bat. He's that good. Give Cabrera credit for changing his bad habits and addressing his demons while he's still young enough to have a superstar's career.

Maybe Girardi wanted a rested A Rod for the second half? Uh,.... no. One at bat wouldn't exhaust him.

Let me tell you about the wonderful people from RotoWire I met over the All Star break. They are a collection of some of the brightest, most well informed, intelligent and personable individuals one would ever want to be associated with. Their knowledge of the fantasy sports scene is All Star quality and second to none. I am honored to be part of RotoWire. Man do they know their stuff.

Where would my Indians be today if their hometown guy, the late George Steinbrenner's bid to buy the club was accepted? He tried to buy the Indians. His bid was rejected. Let me see now. They Yankees have Steinbrenner family and the Indians now have the Dolans. Advantage? The Yankees. Forever and ever and ever and ever. The ex-Indians All Stars bump into each other trying to get out of each other's way. That's how many of them are out there. But I'm not bitter. I'm not complaining.

Ryan Howard hasn't started to hit bombs yet. Warm weather=Ryan Howard. Can you believe he's hitting in the .290's? What a pleasant surprise.

I feel badly for Justin Smoak. He went from a hitter's Paradise in Texas to a very, very difficult park in Seattle. And the team as well as the city have anointed him a savior. Good luck with that.

I liked the fact that David Ortiz hit from the left side of the plate in Anaheim for the Home Run Derby. But I admit it. I thought he would tire as the competition progressed. He surprised me with his stamina.

Maybe Joe Girardi just flat out blew it. Ya think? Yes, I think.

Have a great second half everyone.