Dodgers Do Their Best to Shake Things Up

Paul DePodesta has now tried to trade away or let go an entire team with an infield of Green at first, Cora at second, Beltre at third and Jose Hernandez at shortstop, pitchers Jose Lima and Guillermo Mota, catcher Paul Lo Duca and an outfield of Steve Finley, Dave Roberts and Juan Encarnacion.

That might not be the prototype Moneyball team, but I think that team is better than what the Dodgers are left with.

David Ginsberg

Los Angeles

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Dear Mr. McCourt,

As long as you’re ripping out the hearts of Dodger fans, could you at least speed up the process a little and get rid of Eric Gagne a season early? We all know it’s going to happen anyway, and as long as we’re in pain, you may as well get it over with.

Eric Monson

Temecula

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If the Dodgers stock the team with players from the farm system, the fans scream for high-priced free agents. When the Dodgers sign high-priced free agents, the fans want players from the farm system. I think Paul DePodesta is doing a fine job. Tradition? The Dodgers hadn’t won a playoff game in the previous 15 years before DePodesta arrived.

For the sake of my children, I am glad the Dodgers aren’t looking like their father’s Dodgers. They are looking like their grandfather’s Dodgers. Now, that was a winning tradition.

Steve Fountain

Fond du Lac, Wis.

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I’m not surprised that Paul DePodesta’s favorite character is Howard Roark, Ayn Rand’s fictional architect. Like Roark, DePodesta is convinced that ordinary human rules don’t apply to him. So why shouldn’t his “superior” baseball wisdom trump any considerations of fan loyalty or team chemistry?

Guys like this get along OK in books, but in real life their chutzpah usually catches up with them.

Bonnie Sloane

Los Angeles

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I am a 28-year Dodger season-ticket holder and during the Yankee-Dodger trade discussions I wrote a letter to Frank McCourt outlining my concerns. Mr. McCourt called me on New Year’s Eve and for 26 minutes he bluntly discussed the club strategies, trades and needs. He made a lot of sense and asked for my patience and for me to call him back when the season begins and the team is complete. He has gained my respect and deserves time to prove himself.

Stuart Siegel

Westlake Village

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Paul DePodesta got slickered in a trade and ended up with Hee-Seop Choi. Rather than cut his losses, he now seems determined to get rid of anyone who might prevent Choi from starting. In poker, that’s called throwing good money after bad.

Richard Turner

Fontana