MVN: Most Valuable Network

Francisco Rodriguez made history yesterday when he recorded his 57th save of the season, tying him with Bobby Thigpen for the most in a single season.  K-Rod will make the record his own when he notched his next save, likely this weekend against the Mariners.

Rodriguez made a splash when he broke into the Majors back in 2002 and helped the Angels complete an improbably run to the franchise's first (and only) World Series title.  He got his name in the record book that year too when he was the youngest player to ever win a World Series game.  But this record will likely be remembered longer (at least until someone breaks it) since everytime a closer gets off to a fast start K-Rod's name will be brought up.

But just how big an accomplishment is 58+ saves?  Many people complain that a save is no bigger an accomplishment than a "hold" and that celebrating a relatively meaningless stat is a complete waste of time.  While I would not go quite that far, it is clear that number of saves earned is directly proportionate to number of opportunities given.  If Joe Nathan, Joaquin Soria, Jonathan Papelbon or Mariano Rivera pitched for the Angels this season then they very likely would be the next record-holder.  But the holder of the lucky lottery ticket called "2008 Angels' Closer" is K-Rod.  That ticket will be cashed-in this off-season when free-agent-to-be Frankie takes his show on the road to try and get "Mariano Rivera money" -- roughly $15 million per season for 5 years.  Is Rodriguez worth it?  Well you are worth exactly what the highest-bidder is willing to pay, no more and no less.  So if someone wants to write K-Rod a big fat check then so be it.  It is doubtful the Angels will be the ones to write that check since they are saving their pennies for someone who contributes more that 5 or so innings per week.  Maybe retaining Mark Teixiera or failing that, making a bid on Manny Ramirez.  Depending on Kelvim Escobar's status for next season the Halos may even be tempted to take a flyer on CC Sabathia and demote Ervin Santana or Joe Saunders to the bullpen to help fill the void left when Frankie leaves.

I'll celebrate when K-Rod breaks the record but I see it more as team record.  The early-season struggles of the offense to scratch out a lead, the strong performances from Halo starters to keep their team in most games and for the rest of the bullpen that helped get the game to Frankie in the 9th.  But most of all I think you have to give credit to Mike Scioscia who superb managerial skills make the Angels the best team in baseball in tight games.  From aggressive base running to key pinch-hitters, Scioscia seems to always press just the right button to get the Angels the win.  He has also resisted any urge to use Rodriguez for more than one inning per game.  The mental edge of knowing you only have to face one inning, hopefully three batters, helps closers maintain their edge.  When they are called early in the 8th inning they have to go and sit in the dugout and that edge becomes a bit duller.  When they have to come in to a game in a non-save situation they cannot possibly have the same mentality as when they are trying to nail-down a victory.  Scioscia promised he would only use K-Rod in save situations and has stuck to that promise.  So kudos to the Angels for being the first team to clinch a playoff spot, the earliest team in AL West history to clinch a playoff spot and putting together a tremendous team effort to earn the saves record.