K-Rod implies 2008 his last year with Halos. Francisco Rodriguez is not pleased with the fact that he must enter an arbitration hearing with the Angels over this year's salary. When asked if this meant K-Rod would be wearing another uniform next season - he enters free agency in 2009 - the closer replied, "Yeah, probably...if they wanted me here they would have done something a long time ago." Rodriguez asked for $12.5 million this year and the Angels countered with an offer of $10 million. As far as its bearing on the New York Yankees, K-Rod's departure may not make the Bronx a likely landing spot. Mariano Rivera would have to show a sharp decline in 2008 and be willing to move to the setup role in 2009. Those are big ifs to consider, especially for the 26 year-old Rodriguez who collected 40 saves, a 2.81 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 67 innings-pitched.

Why Hoffman Will Never Be Rivera

After Saturday saw him blow his last save opportunity, forcing his team into a Wildcard tie and subsequent one-game playoff, Trevor Hoffman then blew a two-run lead in that play-in game. The devastating loss results in the San Diego Padres sitting at home during October as the Rockies dance around Coors Field.

If the playoffs were on the line, and Mariano Rivera were the on the mound with a two-run lead, you better believe the G.O.A.T. closes that ballgame. Bringing up Hoffman in the same conversation as Rivera has always been an aberration and now it's just a joke. The saves statistic has always been overrated as a true barometer of a closer's worth and Hoffman is the prime example.

Though he is consistently good, he never converts the "life or death" save opportunity. Scott Brosius in the '98 World Series comes to mind. Blowing a 2006 all-star game where NL home field advantage in the Series was at stake is another. Then there is Saturday and Monday's successive choke jobs, each of which would have meant San Diego playing postseason baseball.