Dodgers’ Spending Gets Unexpected Support
PHOENIX – Interestingly, not everyone in baseball is criticizing the Los Angeles Dodgers for their record-setting expenditures.
This past Sunday, Bryce Harper of the Phillies and Manny Machado, formerly of the Dodgers and now with the San Diego Padres, were interviewed about what it’s like to compete against the two-time defending World Series champions.
Instead of the predictable complaints about the Dodgers’ big salaries—over $400 million annually—both players expressed a more positive perspective. Almost surprisingly, they embraced the situation.
“I love it,” Machado mentioned, commenting during a media session at Padres camp. “I think every team should do it, honestly. They’ve figured out how to make it work, and that’s pretty awesome for the game.”
“Honestly, I admire what the Dodgers are doing,” Harper added, acknowledging their business-like approach. “They’re investing in their team. They manage like a business and do it the right way.”
While the Dodgers have largely brushed off criticism regarding their roster in recent years, they remained unfazed by the supportive remarks from Harper and Machado.
“I’m really not focused on any of that,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomez stated Sunday morning. “What matters to us is winning championships and running the best team we can every year.”
Nonetheless, Harper and Machado’s comments shed light on a perspective that some in the sporting realm hold privately. They both suggested that other teams—and, by implication, their respective ownerships—could learn from the Dodgers and adopt similar methods to better compete.
“Every team has the potential to do that,” Machado offered. “I hope all 30 teams take note.”
“Every team has a chance to replicate this,” Harper echoed. “They might not have the same financial resources, but they can draft, develop talent, and make trades. I think many teams have that capability. They really should.”
In praising the Dodgers’ development system, Harper remarked that it’s not fair to simply criticize them. “Their draft and player development is phenomenal,” he asserted. “They can trade for star players and manage their spending well. It annoys me when people just say, ‘The Dodgers are overspending.’ They’re doing it right, clearly understanding what it takes to excel.”
Gomez highlighted this type of organizational cohesion while reflecting on the team’s recent high-profile acquisitions. He mentioned adding players like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, indicating that they had a “fortunate winter to secure some really talented individuals,” attributing this partly to the club’s culture.
Further discussing the Dodgers’ dominance, other voices in the baseball community, including those at spring training, acknowledged their standing. For instance, Ken Kendrick, while noting the Dodgers’ position as “900-pound gorillas” in the MLB realm, avoided criticizing their spending, instead suggesting that “even gorillas don’t win every matchup.”
This pretty much mirrors the message the Dodgers have maintained during their spring camp. They’re aware of how they are perceived by the rest of the sports world. Expectations for a third consecutive World Series title hang over them, yet they also understand the unpredictable nature of baseball. Money doesn’t guarantee success.
When asked about the idea of a “World Series hangover,” Gomez hesitated. “I’m not entirely sure,” he said. “Last year went relatively well. We didn’t always play our best. But I think we’ve stayed focused on the right things. It’s crucial for us all to remain attentive to details and not let our intensity wane.”
