The Los Angeles Dodgers winning the 2024 World Series and going on another offseason spending spree has drawn the ire of opposing fans and team owners, with only a small group voicing their support.
Naturally, Dodgers front office members and their players don’t see any issue with the team boasting such a high payroll in pursuit of more championships. Beyond them, however, are plenty of calls for an MLB salary cap.
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As the Dodgers were playing the Philadelphia Phillies this weekend, Bryce Harper lent his support to the juggernaut they’ve created with harsh words for their critics.
According to Jason Dumas of ABC 6 Philadelphia, Harper praised the Dodgers for their success and made it clear he doesn’t agree with complaints:
“I don’t know if people will like this, but I feel like only losers complain about what they’re doing. I think they’re a great team, they’re a great organization. That’s why guys want to go there and play. L.A. is a great city to play in, obviously. It’s the mecca of the world in kind of everything; from food to nightlife, to sports, the Dodgers, Lakers, to anybody.
“They’re going to continue to get guys, continue to pull guys from this sport. That’s bullpen, starting pitching, international players, anything like that. They’re doing what the Dodgers do.”
Harper is part of a Phillies team that has spent aggressively in free agency, including on his 13-year, $330 million contract in March 2019. The Dodgers were among the teams that pursued Harper, but attempted to woo him on a short-term contract that included an inflated average annual salary (AAV).
Harper instead preferred to put down roots in Philadelphia with a mega contract that does not include any opt-outs.
Since adding Harper, the Phillies also signed the likes of Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Trea Turner and Aaron Nola, among others, to lucrative contracts. Zach Wheeler received a contract extension as well.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski nevertheless compared the Dodgers to the old New York Yankees under former owner George Steinbrenner.
Bryce Harper, Phillies give Dodgers first loss
Hours after Harper’s praise, he and the Phillies handed the Dodgers their first loss of the 2025 season. Harper went 0-for-3 with one walk and one strikeout in the Phillies’ 3-2 win.
Jesús Luzardo collected eight strikeouts over seven shutout innings.
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