I just saw this and can agree with Bono's review.  This was really boring and long.  I kept on waiting for something (ok anything) to happen and it just moved really slowly.  I kept on thinking about the first Spiderman film (2002 one) when I was watching this as a lot of the plot is borrowed from that film.  The only difference between Mcguire and Garfield in their portrayal of Spiderman is that they tried to make this Spiderman more angsty and angry and it just doesn't work.  Oh yeah, the villian wasn't very interesting or engaging at all.

As an aside, I saw that trailer for the new Twilight film and I nearly LOL in an almost empty theater.  I can't believe people pay to see that franchise.  The acting is just so bad and cheesy.

I would never pay big money for any closer.  If there's one thing that small market teams have realized, it's that you can get closers and relievers for cheap.  The Rays have had something like 6 different closers in the last seven years.  San Diego and Pittsburgh seem to find usable bullpen arms on a yearly basis.  Hell look at the Marlins, they picked up Kevin Gregg on the cheap and he racked up 40 saves for them.  They flipped him to the Cubs after that year.

The Marlins are just a mess.  I'd actually give Morrison a longer leash but it seems he and the Marlins have issues from last year.  They would definitely be selling low at this point.  I think Hanley could still fetch an ok package although it would help if the Marlins picked up some of the contract.  The Marlins minor league system is pretty weak and unlikely to provide help.

I think Ozzie probably deserves to be fired based on his off the field gaffes. 

New article that came out on the Red Sox:

[url][http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/i … ctions/url]

Why did they insist on keeping several of Francona's coaches?  And they had him retain McClure instead of hiring his own guy?

The schedule makers also didn't do the Red Sox any favors either:

@Rays
vs White Sox
vs Blue Jays
@Rangers
@Yankees
vs Tigers

That's 3 1st place teams and two other series vs clubs over .500.  The only "break" is they get to face the Blue Jays who can still mash the ball.  We'll find out a whole lot about the Red Sox after this brutal stretch.

All Star Break time and time for some comments on the general state of each divison:

AL East--Yankees have taken control of the division.  And I think they can ride out their rotation injuries.  They might have to make a trade though (Dempster maybe?) and I think if that happens they end up trading away a Top 10 prospect from their farm system.  They almost never trade away a top prospect though.  I'm having a hard time figuring out whose going to finish in second/contend for a wild card.  I'm going to say Toronto because most of their problems are correctable (pitching injuries) and they have the goods to get another starter if they need.  Red Sox are incredibly inconsistent.  Tampa needs offense and will have to trade a prospect to get one.  Not sure what to think about the Orioles, but I think they fall back.

AL Central--3 team race here.  Youk has brought a lot to the White Sox.  The back end of the rotation is a problem but I think they can ride it out since Floyd has pitched much better.  That and they don't really have anything in the minors to pull off a trade.  I think the Indians fall back as they've been doing with smoke and mirrors.  Unless they pull off a trade for some offense.  The Tigers have finally started to play well and I expect them to trade for a 2b and OF.  Don't know if they have enough to add a starter as well.  Twins and Royals just have to trade assets and pray that their GM"s make smart moves.

AL West--Rangers and A's both playing well.  They'll both be in the playoffs.  Oakland is hanging around near .500 and that is a good surprise.  Seattle is vying for that #1 pick.  I wouldn't be surprised if they just freaking tank in the second half.  This team is BRUTAL on offense.  They'll be forced to move in the fences for Safeco since no offensive player wants to go there.  Also, I think it's time to be critical of their GM (Jack Z), he put together most of their current offense.

NL East--Nats in a great position.  I still think they need to maybe get more offense.  Luckily for them, Zimmerman finally started hitting.  Clippard has stabilized the closer spot.  Braves and Mets still need pieces.  The Mets are a great feel good story this year.  The other two teams (Marlins and Phillies) won't be doing anything.  And Philly should be in fucking sell mode.

NL Central--Three team race.  Pirates are one of the surprises of MLB.  I think this team is more legit than last year's team the cratered in the second half.  They need to get an OF bat and maybe another starting pitcher.  Reds need offense too.  Cards just need bullpen help again.  Milwaukee has a small window to play well and contend, otherwise they should start trading away.  Astros are the worst team in the division and the Cubs seem to be playing better with the Rizzo callup.

NL West--Another three team race.  The injuries have really hurt the Dodgers.  They've been running a AAA lineup the past month or so.  And shockingly, they are still in first.  LA and SF both need offense bad.  Giants have 37 million tied up in Zito and Lincecum this year.  I think the Diamondbacks need offense and pitching but they could come from behind and win this thing.  Their farm system is stronger than the other two teams.  No idea why they are entertaining trade offers for Justin Upton though.

It'll be a great July trading season and I hope everyone enjoys the All Star game and festivities!

Actually, I think Crawford has an elbow injury that could require Tommy John surgery.  Man Theo made a lot of expensive FA mistakes during the end there.

Twins are pretty much a one stop shop for contenders.  They have a lot of players they can offer.

Morneau
Willingham
Capps
Liriano
Revere/Span (they both have the same skillset, one of them should be traded)
Pavano

I don't think they'll get much for Liriano and Pavano though.  The position players (Morneau is tricky though) should bring back a decent haul.

I think Mauer might have the worst contract in MLB right now.  Vernon Wells one is awful but it is at least shorter.

Youkillis + 5.6 million dollars traded to the White Sox for P Zach Stewart and IF Brent Lillibridge.

You know at first thought I thought that the Red Sox did okay with the trade but then I looked closely at Zach Stewart's stats and they were brutal.  Lillibridge is strictly a utility IF.  I think they could have gotten a bit more since they were sending cash and there were other teams interested in Youkillis.

As the for White Sox, their 3b had a collective  .167/.243/.224 line for the season.  And Ken Williams got the Red Sox to include cash in the trade.  Big win for the White Sox, even if just posts average numbers.

White Sox have pitching issues now.  They have to be thanking their lucky stars that this kid Quintana has helped with the rotation.  Second straight start that he has thrown eight scoreless innings.   With both Danks and Humber on the DL, and Gavin Floyd struggling, the back end of the rotation is a huge question mark.

Alfonso Soriano and Josh Willingham are probably the best power hitters available right now.  I get the suspicion that the Indians and Tigers will be making a play for Soriano soon.  Tigers want a right handed power hitter and a starting second baseman.  They'd be a good match for a Soriano + Barney trade for DET prospects.

Garza has a bunch of suitors as well (5 or 6 teams).  Toronto probably could use him the most.  The funny part is that the Royals are somehow interested in Garza as well.  They actually have the most young talent to give the Cubs.  But fuck they are closer to last than first, and I'm not sure why they're even sniffing around Garza.

Marlins finally win today.  They had lost something like 14 out of 16 and had fallen into last place.