Since the Guggenheim ownership group took control of Los Angeles Dodgers and signed a lucrative television-rights contract with Time Warner Cable, it’s become readily apparent the organization will lavishly spend when they see fit.
Along with taking on multiple large contracts, and in some cases eating a substantial amount of money to cut a player, the Dodgers have significantly bolstered their front office. It began with the hiring of Andrew Friedman as president of baseball operations and continued during the offseason with the addition of Greg Maddux, among others.
During the time between, the likes of former Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopolous and former Blue Jays international scout Ismael Cruz.
While the front office hasn’t doled out any record-breaking contracts to free agents, the Dodgers have been aggressive in the international market.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, a low-revenue club official expressed frustration over teams such as the Dodgers being able to use their superior financial status in several manners:
“Everyone focuses on major-league payroll, but it’s everywhere,” a second official from a low-revenue club said, referring to the advantages enjoyed by the Dodgers and other high-revenue clubs. “They can spend more on international, more on their front offices.”
The Dodgers have surpassed the New York Yankees for the highest in baseball for multiple years running now. Los Angeles blew bast their international bonus pool for the 2015-16 international signing period and only faced a tax penalty.
Though, they are limited to $300,000 signing bonuses for pool-eligible international prospects during the current and next year’s international signing period. Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said recently he is considering changes to the international signing process.
