Amidst the looming threat of another potential work stoppage in Major League Baseball, the spending habits of the Los Angeles Dodgers have sparked intense debate among league owners and the players' union. However, star players Manny Machado and Bryce Harper have expressed unwavering support for the Dodgers' approach, advocating for more teams to emulate their success.
In a recent interview, Machado passionately stated, 'I f—ing love it. I love it. I mean, honestly, I think every team should be doing it. (The Dodgers) have figured out a way to do it.' He further emphasized the positive impact on the game, saying, 'It’s f—ing great for the game. Every team has the ability to do it, so I hope all 30 teams could learn from that.'
Harper, who is represented by the renowned agent Scott Boras, echoed similar sentiments. He praised the Dodgers' strategic spending, stating, 'I love what the Dodgers do, obviously. They pay the money, they spend the money. I mean, they’re a great team. They understand how to run it. They run their team like a business, and they run it the right way. They understand where they need to put their money into.'
The Dodgers' aggressive spending during the offseason, including hefty contracts for top players like Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker, has sparked controversy. While some MLB owners have expressed frustration, Harper argues that the Dodgers' success stems from more than just their spending. He highlighted their exceptional drafting and developing abilities, saying, 'People don’t look at this either. Like they draft and they develop, and then they trade those guys for big-name guys, and they can spend the money. It bothers me when everybody talks about the Dodgers spending money. No, they draft, they develop, they do it the right way. They understand what it takes to be the best team in baseball.'
The Dodgers' farm system is highly regarded, with the third-best ranking in baseball, according to The Athletic's Keith Law. They have seven prospects on The Athletic's top 100 prospect rankings, more than any other organization. Their international and amateur drafting scouting system is also considered top-notch, and they are known for their player development expertise.
Harper believes that other teams should adopt a similar model. He said, 'Each team in baseball has an opportunity to do the same thing. Maybe not at the upper echelon of money, but they can draft, they can develop, they can trade. I think a lot of teams can do that in baseball, and they should.'
This isn't the first time Harper has praised the Dodgers. Last April, he applauded the organization after their impressive 8-0 start to the season following their World Series victory in 2024. He stated, '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.'
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes acknowledged the support from ownership, which enabled the front office to secure the Díaz and Tucker deals. He noted that the Dodgers were not alone in their willingness to offer large contracts, mentioning the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays as other top spenders. Despite the competition, Tucker signed with the Dodgers, a decision that president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman found unusual, given the long-term offer.
While some may criticize the Dodgers' spending, their success is undeniable. Their operations, though controversial, are within the boundaries of the current CBA. The question remains: how long will this status quo endure, and what actions will MLB owners take to alter the landscape?
