1) As the preferred late-inning defensive replacement for aging/creaky Vlad & G.A.
2) As the best guy on the team for taking a walk, making a bunt, or pinch-running.
3) As a spot starter when we have one of our two extreme flyball pitchers (Weaver and Santana) on the mound.
4) As the only outfielder who is not either injury-prone or in his 30s or both -- and therefore capable of copious filling in for the injured guys.

And every other team despises and fears him. He is the itch on their backs they cannot scratch.

If it's true that the Halos' best offer was really only $34 million for three years, then it seems to me that they really don't want to keep him. The fact of the matter is that he's worlds better than Francisco Cordero. If they're only willing to go three years, they're going to have to top $40 million, probably closer to $45 million. For four years, $50 million or more. The Angels aren't even close to that. They obviously know how much other relievers are getting, and they're on acid if they think K-Rod can't do better on the open market.

Because he won't