The Los Angeles Dodgers made the first major splash of the offseason by signing Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract.
The deal includes deferred salary, which is a strategy the team has used in recent years to add as many talented players as possible.
The Dodgers’ recent spending has been criticized by fans of other teams and some who cover the sport. Complaints range from operating in bad faith with deferred money in contracts to outright claims of ruining baseball.
“I think we’re rewarding our incredibly passionate fans,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said after Snell’s press conference at Dodger Stadium.
Agent Scott Boras, who represents Snell and several other high-profile players such as Juan Soto, praised the Dodgers for making a consistent effort to win the World Series.
“I would say that, as George Steinbrenner said, ‘Whatever you do to compete, the fact that I can compete in a different way than others, so be it,'” Boras answered when asked what he would say to the Dodgers’ critics.
“I don’t think that has anything to do with the number of trophies that hang over your stadium. I don’t think fans remember that.”
Even after signing Snell, the Dodgers could still make additional splashes this offseason as they reportedly are interested in Tanner Scott, are widely expected to re-sign Teoscar Hernández, and may be the favorite for Roki Sasaki but he would come at a steep discount due to MLB rules in place for amateur international free agents.
The Dodgers also were part of the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but their bidding trailed fellow finalists before he signed with the New York Mets on a 15-year, $765 million contract.
Padres manager Mike Shildt credits Dodgers
San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt recently credited the Dodgers for making an effort to put the best possible team on the field every season.
He added that his focus is on defeating L.A. rather than worrying about their strategy of utilizing deferred salary.
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