Coming off back-to-back World Series titles, the Los Angeles Dodgers continued to flex their financial muscle by signing top free agents Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz to lucrative contracts during the offseason.
The Dodgers are now projected to have a luxury tax payroll of more than $400 million for the second consecutive season, leading to more calls for a salary cap in MLB.
However, some players have actually come to the defense of the Dodgers. Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper recently made headlines for praising L.A.’s aggressive spending and believes every team should be doing the same.
San Diego Padres star Manny Machado echoed a similar sentiment when asked to share his thoughts about the Dodgers’ strategy, via Jesse Rogers of ESPN:
“I f—ing love it,” Machado said Sunday from Padres camp. “Every team should be doing it. That s— is f—ing great for the game.”
Machado, like Harper, said all 30 teams are capable of spending at the level of the Dodgers:
“I think every team has the ability to do it,” Machado said. “I hope all 30 teams learn from that.”
Machado’s teammate, Fernando Tatis Jr., respects the Dodgers for maximizing their efforts to win the World Series each season, via 97.3 The Fan:
“It’s the right way to do it. I mean, if you want to go and win it all, that’s just the right way to do it. They’re doing it right.”
Tatis’ point of view is also shared by Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten, who recently said the organization expects to contend every year and will use all of their resources to their advantage.
The team has benefited from a lucrative TV rights deal, unprecedented fan support, sponsorships and the presence of Shohei Ohtani on their roster.
Stan Kasten believes Dodgers’ spending is ‘win-win-win’ for MLB
When asked to address claims that the Dodgers are ruining baseball, Kasten shared a unique perspective and believes the team’s willingness to go out all actually benefits everyone in the sport.
“I think there are two elements to answer that,” he said last year. “First is competitively. As all of you know, the way our game is structured, right now we are three to one against to win a World Series; 70 to 75% someone else will win the World Series.
“Obviously, it hasn’t damaged the game competitively. And on the entertainment side, which is what we are, it’s really good when there’s one beloved team by their fans who come out in record numbers to lead all of baseball in attendance, while that same team can be hated and lead baseball in road attendance.
“That’s a win-win for baseball. And the fact that this is also really contributing to the enhanced globalization of baseball around the world, it’s a win-win-win. This is really good for baseball. I have no question about it, as I didn’t back then.”
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