Any Rhyme or Reason to Dodgers’ Decisions?

‘Twas a week before Christmas, and all through L.A.,

Not a Dodger was staying, not even Beltre.

For money is tight at Chavez Ravine,

So it’s off to the desert, Mr. Shawn Green.

And to further infuriate every Dodger fan,

We’re also sending Penny and Brazoban.

And now Lima’s gone and Steve Finley too,

We don’t have the money these other teams do.

But never you worry, things will turn out OK,

We expect a monster season from Ricky Ledee.

Plus we still have Gagne, but with one slight hitch,

We’ll now say “Game Over” before the first pitch.

Darren Kozak

San Gabriel

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Angel owner Arte Moreno is a savvy businessman. He has two influential baseball executives working diligently to bring new fans to Angel Stadium and it is not costing him a dime.

Their names are Frank McCourt and Paul DePodesta.

Scott Morris

Toluca Lake

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You find a way to sign Adrian Beltre. If the Mariners had the money, the Dodgers certainly do.

You keep Paul Lo Duca. And you find a way to get Tim Hudson.

It’s clear L.A. has no desire to remain competitive. Does anyone know Peter O’Malley’s phone number?

Scott Baird

Sacramento

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Tell Arte Moreno he can use Los Angeles in his team’s name, since the team playing in Chavez Ravine is now the Oakland Dodgers.

Connor Hastings

Westwood

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I have news for you, Mr. DePodesta and all your “Money Ball” buddies. The music has stopped, and we fans are absolutely left standing without a chair. Why? No Dodger fan is going to agree that Thursday was a great day in Dodger history. The only people admiring you for “fiscal responsibility” and “payroll flexibility” are the McCourts and the rest of the NL West. The only teams that have “payroll flexibility” are the ones at or under .500 each and every year.

It was 2:10 p.m. on Thursday when I used the money I had saved for Dodger tickets in 2005 for NASCAR seats.

Eric Monson

Temecula

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I want to thank the Dodgers for almost doubling my ticket prices. After all, they did let Beltre and Hudson go elsewhere and sign the feared Ricky Ledee and the aging Jeff “I’ve never seen a ground ball that I can field” Kent. At least we still have Hee-Seop Choi and Kaz Ishii.

Jeff Buttikofer

Van Nuys

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Thank you, Mr. McCourt and Mr. DePodesta, for not giving in to Adrian Beltre and his greedy agent. I am so glad you did not pay Adrian for one good year.

If the Mariners get the old Adrian Beltre, this might be the worst contract in baseball history.

Craig Clark

Arroyo Grande

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With the conclusion of the winter meetings, the significant player movement away from the Dodgers and their paucity of acquisitions, T.J. Simers might have understated the problem. We are now a small-market team, competing with the Twins, Marlins and Pirates for free-agent signings and blockbuster trades.

Bud Selig got what he wanted: an ownership in Los Angeles that won’t abet in the increase of players’ salaries. Unbelievable.

Alan Amitin

Montrose

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Where is Dan Evans now that we really need him?

Gregg B. Hughes

Northridge

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Why so much negativity about the Dodgers? Aren’t we all really happy that Jamie McCourt had enough money to buy a second million-dollar home next to her first million-dollar home?

Ron Wells

Corona del Mar

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Why do they call it “Money Ball” when hardly any money is ever spent?

David H. Crocker

Long Beach

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You have to give Frank McCourt credit. Truly, because he doesn’t have the cash.

Monte Whaley

Redondo Beach