Angels franchise better than Dodgers, says LAT's Dwyre

This sentiment from L.A. Times columnist (and former Sports Editor) Bill Dwyre would have been unthinkable before the McCourt era at Dodger Stadium. Dwyre says if you look at fan experience, prices, ownership and overall perception, the Angels are the top team around. "If you were a new baseball fan in town, you lived 15½ miles south of Dodger Stadium and 15½ miles north of Angel Stadium and you had to choose, it wouldn't be tough right now," Dwyre writes. "You'd drive south." He notes that FRank McCourt is raising prices on 35% of single-game tickets and 20% of season-tickets next year, and even before the price hike Dwyre offers this stunning fact: the standard cost for a family of four with hot dogs etc was $221.64 at Dodger Stadium, $131.80 in Anaheim.

Meanwhile: The Dodgers signed 34-year-old starting pitcher Ted Lilly to a three-year deal averaging $11 million a year.