“Turning the page” on K-Rod!

Angels owner Arte Moreno said on a radio show recently that the team was “turning the page” on record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, a free agent, is apparently out in Anaheim. After helping the Angels to a World Series title in 2002 and setting the MLB record for saves last season, K-Rod is persona non-grata. Moreno did say, however, that the Angels were open to re-signing the closer should they be unable to sign any of their other targets.

I’m pretty sure this means that K-Rod’s time under the Halo is over. And I’m glad that’s settled. I’ve grown sick of his ninth-inning antics. Or maybe his ninth-inning antics make me sick. Either way, I’m glad he’s gone.

Now GM Tony Reagins can shift his focus to re-signing 1B Mark Teixeira and another front-line starting pitcher. Teixeira is the protection Vladimir Guerrero needs if the Angels are going to get back to a World Series. Reagins must find a way to sign him, even if it means 10 years, $100 million. He’s the cornerstone the franchise has been waiting for since Wally Joyner broke Gene Autry’s heart.

Another starter would mean admitting the Jon Garland experiment was a mistake. But that’s OK. Getting C.C. Sabathia or Ben Sheets will wipe away any memory of Garland. Even getting Jason Jennings or Oliver Perez would probably wipe away any memory of Garland. Shoot, even Braden Looper or Pedro Martinez would wipe away any memory of Garland.