They’re Not Exactly Fans of Dodger Trades

So let me get this straight: The Dodgers traded their starting catcher who was a fan favorite to the Florida Marlins in a package deal and we’re going to end up with Charles Johnson behind the plate? Didn’t we do that already or is it just deja vu?

Scott Hofman

Atwater Village

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While the acquisition of a pitcher might prove vital to the stretch run for the Dodgers, trading away Paul Lo Duca stings.

He, more than any other Dodger since Orel Hershiser, embodies what it means to wear the uniform. His daily self-sacrifice behind the plate and an intense, yet level-headed, approach to each pitch will be missed. It was a pleasure to watch a great Dodger catcher.

Let’s hope his replacement, or replacements, can fill his shoes.

Jeff Clifford

Encino

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Only the Dodgers, a team with the third-best record in the major leagues, would order a complete engine overhaul when a simple tune-up was all that was required.

Paul Lo Duca was the heart and soul of a scrappy, hard-working team. Paul DePodesta has turned a year that was resembling the Dodgers’ improbable season of 1988, into a redux of 1998 and their horrible decision to trade away Mike Piazza.

Len Penzo

Chino Hills

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The Dodgers have pulled the trigger on a deal. Except, once again, in shades of 1998, the gun was aimed at the fans.

If it’s a question of the Pauls, Paul Lo Duca was much more important to the team and to the fans than Paul DePodesta. As a starter, Brad Penny with his sore arm has as many wins as Guillermo Mota, a setup man. And Hee Seop Choi gets dumped from more fantasy teams than anybody, except maybe Charles Johnson.

We may get to borrow Randy Johnson and Steve Finley a half a season or more in exchange probably for new inexpensive star Jayson Werth and Penny. Because it seems they’re just letting anybody be GM of the Dodgers, I was wondering if I could get a shot in 2005? If not me, there’s this 11 year-old I know who’s, like, really good at EA Sports.

Pointy Williams

Los Angeles

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I think it’s a good idea to pick up a player or two to help you get over the hump to make the playoffs, but at what cost? The Dodgers are trying to reacquire the slowest bat in major league history, Charles Johnson, from Colorado and have traded the heart and soul of their team, Paul Lo Duca, and arguably the second-best relief pitcher in baseball, Guillermo Mota.

What a deal! We’re about to get an extremely expensive and grumpy 40-year-old ace, who really wants to play in New York, and a 39-year-old outfielder who really wants to play in San Diego, while losing three guys who would have given their left feet to win as Dodgers.

So, sorry, fans. The Dodgers won’t make the playoffs after all. Only their uniforms.

Steve Freeman

Los Angeles

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I could see why Arizona, Colorado or Montreal might give up on the season, but it’s odd that the Dodgers, who are in first place, would give up so easily. I think DePodesta’s computer has a virus.

Antoine Hicks

Los Angeles

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I see that Paul Lo Duca is being traded. Must be comforting to know that Todd Hundley is still under contract as a replacement.

Jack Rosenberg

Silver Lake

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Call me crazy, but as an Angel fan, I’m glad we didn’t mortgage the future to acquire a clubhouse cancer who has only a couple of years left at best.

Christopher Bates

Los Angeles