Don’t They Know Value of a Penny?

Math was never my strong suit in school, but I think even my old algebra teacher, Mr. Goldstein, would have a tough time with the following equation:

The Dodgers sign Brad Penny for $5.1 million; a pitcher with one Dodger win in the bank and whose last memory for Dodger fans was of him hopping around the infield, cradling his pitching arm like so much chopped liver. Some acquisition.

At the other end of the spectrum, Jose Lima, he of the enthusiastic and infectious persona and holder of the only Dodger playoff win since 1988, is offered and accepts a contract for $2.5 million from the Royals.

Let us break out the ol’ calculator. Hmmm. $5.1 million take away $2.5 million; factor in wins-losses, hit the “equals” key and ... gee, the Dodgers could’ve had Lima for $2.6 million less than Penny. Is that what’s known as a “no-brainer?”

John R. Grush

Mission Viejo

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Did I read correctly that the Los Angeles Dodgers gave a pitcher $5.1 million for one season because he pitched 11 2/3 innings for them the previous season? And he avoided arbitration, which makes one wonder how much more he could have received.

Hey guys, I’m $35,000 in debt (and that’s Canadian, by the way). Any chance, since you’re throwing out money, that you can help get creditors off my back? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks.

Howard Scheffer

Ottawa

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Scott Erickson? Fernando Valenzuela or Jesse Orosco weren’t available? Do you think we can get Steve Yeager to complete the battery?

Mark J. Featherstone

Windsor Hills

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Paul DePodesta is on the right track with moves he has made and recognizing the current environment. Sensible shorter-term deals to fill roster positions will always win over mega-dollar long-term gambles. The Dodgers learned the hard way with Darren Dreifort.

Scott Cahill

Corona

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I read in The Times and on Dodgers.com that the Dodger Caravan was coming to Downtown Disney. I thought that I could put my feelings about Frank McScrooge and computer boy, DePodesta, aside so my two sons could get an autograph from Eric Gagne.

We arrived at 3:45 for a 5 p.m. session. At 4:45 a Dodger rep told us that only those with wristbands would receive autographs. This was the first we had heard of the wristbands. The Dodger rep said that they hadn’t anticipated so many people showing up.

How appropriate for the Caravan to come to Disneyland -- proving once again that the Dodgers are indeed a Mickey Mouse operation.

Gary W. Borquez

Newport Beach

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Frank McCourt fired Ross Porter and then hired Charlie Steiner, Steve Lyons and Al Downing to work in the broadcast booth.

Thank goodness McCourt didn’t fire Vin Scully. If it takes three broadcasters to replace Ross, McCourt would need another stadium renovation to build a booth big enough to accommodate the number needed to replace Vin.

Allan Judkowitz

Northridge