Missing C. J. Wilson?

The Angels are free-falling in the standings, and losing innings-eater C. J. Wilson for the rest of the season certainly doesn't help. On the other hand, there's a great deal of truth in this:

Granted, Wilson's not exactly a disinterested observer here. But most athletes seem to believe that things will fall apart without them, so Wilson's analysis is refreshing. While it's true that he leads the Angels in innings this season, and has pitched decently enough, it's also true that on this team, at this moment anyway, he seems relatively disposable.

If you add Wilson to the Angels' projected rotation when Jered Weaver finishes his rehab assignment, his FIP would rank third, but not a particularly strong third:

3.05 Heaney
3.80 Richards
3.98 Wilson
4.03 Santiago
4.27 Shoemaker (before Tuesday)
4.79 Weaver

and that's not even including Tropeano, who's been solid (if hardly brilliant) for two straight Triple-A seasons.

If the Angels fall short -- and it's looking more and more like they will -- it probably won't be because they're missing Wilson. It'll probably be because there's no real ace in the rotation, and because the left fielders and DH's never got going.