This might be my favorite post of the off-season to write every year.  We can preview the team all we want, but nothing is more fun than boiling down the season so that it really depends on one player.  This year was definitely one of the toughest yet, but after much consternation, I think I finally figured out the answer.  The most important Angel of 2011 Is... Dan Haren.  Allow me to explain.

Bet you thought I was going to say Morales, right? 

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The Baseball Bloggers Alliance today named writer Joe Posnanski the winner of the inaugural Writer of the Year Award, honoring the top internet writer.  Posnanski, who writes for the print version of Sports Illustrated as well as maintaining his own blog and Twitter account, was the overwhelming selection from the BBA membership. no comments

Sometimes coming up with these Twitter Trends is real tough.  This week?  Not so much.  In fact, I'm not even coming up with it, I'm stealing it.  Originally created by OC Register's Bill Plunkett and adopted by AngelsNation.net, this topic could be pretty popular because it focuses on someone so unpopular.  So, without further adieu, the trending topic is: #NotKazmir

Daily Links for the LA Angels including Morales cleared to take BP, Wells held out with more hamstring issues, Downs recovering quickly and much more...

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With John Lackey leaving via free agency, the Angels needed Jered Weaver to step up in 2010 and become the team's ace.  He did that and so much more, but can he repeat the same kind of success in 2011?

2010 Stats: 224.1 IP, 13-12, 3.01 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 233 K

2011 ZiPS Projections: 201.1 IP, 15-8, 3.53 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 195 K

2011 Bill James Projections: 222 IP, 14-11, 3.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 199 K

2011 Marcel Projections: 193 IP, 12-10, 3.50 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 176 K

2011 MWaH Projections*: 215 IP, 16-9, 3.38 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 192 K

*The MWaH projections are simply my best guess based off my own personal opinion and research

The season hasn't even started, but the Kazmir situation has already reached a critical mass.  Public consensus is that Kazmir has nothing left, but that hasn't stopped the Angels from keeping him in the rotation.  But how long will that last?  Is this just delaying the inevitable or should the Angels start making different plans for their embattled pitcher?

Time to vote!

Daily Links for the LA Angels including Scioscia has harsh words for Kazmir, Weaver officially gets the Opening Day nod, Moreno says the stadium needs renovations and much more...

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