Dodger Fans Are Clear Who Gets Thank-You

Headline on Dec. 12: DODGERS TRADE KEVIN BROWN TO YANKEES.

I thought Christmas was Dec. 25.

Jim Meser

Simi Valley

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OK, Mr. Evans, you lucked into trading that clubhouse malcontent, Kevin Brown, so here’s the simple formula to take control of the National League West:

Your payroll is now $33 million under last year’s. Assuming approximately $6 million for salary arbitration and raises, you have $27 million to spend.

First, you trade Jeff Weaver to the White Sox (who have coveted him for some time) for Paul Konerko (actually saving a few bucks in salary over the next two years).

Then you sign Greg Maddux for $6 million plus incentives. (He will flourish again with his groundball-inducing pitching.) Then you sign Miguel Tejada for $9 million. (Your only competition is the Mariners.)

Finish up by signing Vladimir Guerrero (only the Orioles are left as competition) for $12 million a year.

You now have the same salary structure as last year’s, but you’re fielding a batting order that looks like this: Roberts, cf; Tejada, ss; Green, rf; Guererro, lf; Konerko, 1b; Lo Duca, c; Beltre, 3b; Izturis, 2b. Your bullpen still has Mota, Shuey and Gagne and your starting staff has Maddux, Dreifort, Nomo, Perez, Jackson or Ishii. That’s a winner!

Allan Kandel

Los Angeles

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How ironic is it that The Times’ sportswriters excoriated Kevin Malone for giving Kevin Brown a seven-year deal at the age of 34 (He’ll be a 41-year-old power pitcher!) and now decry his departure for the last two years of the contract at $15 million a year.

Malone very cleverly got Brown’s agent, Scott Boras, to agree to the shorter five-year deal knowing full well the Yankees would provide the bailout.

Alan Amitin

Montrose, Calif.

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God bless the Yankees! Who would have thought our savior would come in pinstripes?

Our newfound friends in the East (sorry about 1981) have relieved us of a $15-million weight that could previously only be lifted by a private jet to Georgia.

Dan Evans, now’s your chance. Nomar would be great, but how about this?

Get us Vlad Guerrero and put Shawn Green at first base.

Two birds with one stone, plus Green won’t have to worry about ruining no-hitters by not diving.

Oh Danny Boy, what do you say?

Oh, that’s right -- you don’t comment on deals until they become official.

Scott Hofman

Atwater Village

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At least the Dodgers will save a little payroll next year with the acquisition of Jeff Weaver. Now they don’t have to pay a bullpen coach to throw batting practice.

Steve Owen

Solana Beach