This isn't a final analysis: just some information for you and I to have at hand. For those who want to continue chatting, I suggest continuing on the ongoing comment thread here.

Brad Penny has an ERA is 3.15, with 105 strikeouts in 131 1/3 innings against 39 walks and 124 hits. According to Baseball Prospectus, he has been the 11th-best pitcher in the National League with a VORP of 33.8. He is 26 years old and is owed the remainder of his $3.75-million contract for 2004.

Randy Johnson has an ERA of 2.68, with 174 strikeouts in 151 1/3 innings against 30 walks and 105 hits. His VORP is fifth in the league at 42.0. He turns 41 in November and is owed the remainder of the $32 million he is due for 2004-05.

Steve Finley has an EQA of .272 this season and a VORP of 23.6. He is on-basing .337, slugging .493 and OPSing .830. He is 39 years and is owed the remainder of his $6.75 million contract for 2004.

Charles Johnson has has an EQA of .271 and a VORP of 15.8. He is on-basing .363, slugging .475 and OPSing .838 - with a surprisingly slim Coors Field/road differential. He turned 33 this month and is owed the remainder of his $9 million 2004 salary plus his $9 million 2005 salary.

Hee Seop Choi has an EQA of .306 and a VORP of 27.7. He is on-basing .388, slugging .495 and OPSing .892. He is 25 years old and is earning $310,000 this season.

Statistics courtesy of Baseball Prospectus. Salary information courtesy of Dugout Dollars.