Congrats to the Yankees and the umpires on the well earned victory.

While not taking anything away from our great season, in this country when things go wrong, we love to place the blame somewhere.

CC was named LCS MVP, and we lost so the question is who gets blame of the series for the LCS (other than the umpires).  You are welcome to let the heat of the moment cool and vote after thinking it over.

Wise A** answers are welcome in the comments.

I loved him while he was in his prime, but with so few spots on the active roster for backup position players, I don't think we can carry him anymore.

The best of use of Q was as a backup at the 4 corners, and platoon player versus LHP.  He was particularly useful when some of our starters at the 4C were LHP who struggled against lefties.  His OPS versus LHP for the last 3 years was 764, so he did OK, but it is downhill from here.  BP projects him for a 253/306/349 line this year.  He only hit .282 against lefties last year, and that was an empty 282 with 0 HR.

But now we have plenty of good players to back up in the OF and at 3B, so when Vlad is back I think Wood has to stay and Q has to go.

I mentioned before about how win shares are great but they need to be adjusted for context (basically how many losses are generated too).  So I've been entering the numbers in a database of every Angels pitcher season ever, and I want to share some preliminary results to see if I'm on the right track.  So without further ado, the 20 best seasons for Angels pitchers:

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Well, since the season has now moved onto that time when you play the young guys and let anybody that is hurting just go home, how about posting your top 10 for NL MVP!  Last year, many people thought Hanley should have won, while others disqualified him because he could not really play SS.  This year he seems better out there, so he can legitimately be in the conversation.  My list follows, go ahead and post yours.

1. Berkman

2. Pujols

3. Beltran

4. Hanley

5. Reyes

6. Wright

7. Utley

8. Aramis Ramirez

9. Webb

10. Manny being Manny

Obviously we have been spending a lot of time wondering if he is going to be resigned and how much he should get, but I think first we have to know: Where does he rank among baseball's best closers?

We all hope he sets the all time record for single season saves, but his peripheral numbers don't seem mind boggling.  I mean his ERA is almost 3, but 4 of the other closers in the top 10 in saves have ERA's under 2.  ERA is not exactly the best stat for relief pitchers, of course, you also need to account for how they do with inherited runners, and if they are in the National Minor League or not.

So, my question is, where do you put K-Rod?

Based on current standings and run differential from 2007 and 2008.  These are very accurate power rankings, I think.  These are projected wins at the end of the regular season.  I posted once before at the end of an old thread.  I'm curious if you would like an update from time to time as the season goes along.

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Our old buddy cracked 3 HR's in a game yesterday.  He is leading the PCL in HR's with 15, and is 6th in the league in OPS with a 1.056

Curiously 6 of the top 8 hitters in OPS in the PCL are third basemen.  I think he'll make the Marlins proud when he gets a good shot to platoon in the NL.

Praise little baby Jesus we are in first place and Figgy was doing well at 3B and will be back soon, otherwise I might cry.

In 2007 the biggest problem with the Fish was their awful D as hits were dropping in everywhere as measured by DER and team zone rating.

It's too early in the season to focus too much on any one player, as they don't have enough AB's to have a good sample.  But the team stats have enough events that we can start to see what is going on with the whole team.

In 2008 the D is much better, as they are no longer worst in the league.  Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and San Francisco are all arguably worse.  Maybe Hanley's health and having a real 3rd baseman are helping.

But the one thing that jumped out at me is that they are 29th in all of baseball in team OPS versus LHP.  As you guys see more games than me, what is going on there?  I thought the Marlins were loaded with RH batters.

How much money will the highest paid Marlin make in 2008?  (best guess)

I figure this would be good to have on the right, it should be awhile before it drops off.  You can post your guess as a comment, or vote too.

I think they still have a couple of guys up for Arbitration.  Is Olsen scheduled for the most now?

Plus we're not getting Cliff Floyd, but at least he is returning to Florida.

I'll say 1.5M