Meanwhile, Back at the Old Ballgames ...

For those who make casual “observations” of Jose Lima and state: “Jose Lima knows the location of every television camera on the lot.” Perhaps they should attend a game, arrive early, and observe.

Jose Lima (when he is not scheduled to pitch) makes himself available to sign autographs with nary a camera rolling. As a Dodger observer since 1957, I’d have to say it is refreshing to watch a player who loves the position he is in, wants his team to win, and approaches the game with an almost child-like enthusiasm. Could it be the cameras know the location of Jose?

Steve Lopez

Duarte

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Just coming in over the wires, Paul DePodesta trades Adrian Beltre, Shawn Green, Jose Lima, Eric Gagne and Jim Tracy to Florida for Mike Lowell, Luis Castillo, Dontrelle Willis, a hundred kilos of Florida oranges, and Jack McKeon.

Yes, he will never be satisfied until he becomes the first GM in major league baseball history to piecemeal trade his entire team for a decidedly inferior one (just so he can fulfill his secret plan -- to get a capable manager who actually knows when to put in a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner!).

In other news, the player to be named later to go to Arizona in the Brent Mayne deal is ... Brent Mayne.

Peter Rich

Los Angeles

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The Dodgers gave up three players to the Marlins, and for that they have Hee-Seop Choi playing for them. Brad Penny can’t pitch. Good trade? Yeah right. Eric Gagne is being worn out because Mota is gone, and David Ross is hitting .176. When the playoffs come Gagne will be worn out and Ross will be a punch line.

Edward Burke

Phoenix