Angels, Albert Pujols Miss The PostseasonAngels $154 million payroll still not enough for postseason spot.

Moneyball prevails.

The Los Angeles Angels were officially eliminated from postseason contention when the Athletics defeated the Rangers 4-3 on Monday night.

Last offseason, LA signed the biggest free agent available, Albert Pujols, to a 10-year, $240 million contract and added C.J. Wilson to their roster with a 5-year, $77.5 million deal. The Angels roster also features sure-thing Rookie of the Year (and possible MVP) Mike Trout and Zack Greinke, who they acquired at the trade deadline.

Their $154,484,166 payroll ranked fourth in Major League Baseball heading into the 2012 season, but it still wasn’t enough.

The Baltimore Orioles ($81,428,999, ranked 19th) and Oakland Athletics ($55,372,500, ranked 29th) both edged LA for postseason spots.

Don’t let anyone tell you Major League Baseball doesn’t have parity. From 2007-2011, only six teams didn’t make the postseason (Washington, Baltimore, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and San Diego). Three of those six are playing playoff baseball in 2012.