If you’re still clinging to the idea that the Dodgers are “ruining baseball,” it might be time to update your playbook.
Yes, Los Angeles has spent big in free agency - nobody's denying that. But framing the Dodgers as a team that simply buys its way to dominance misses the full picture. In fact, it ignores one of the biggest reasons they’ve built a sustainable powerhouse: elite player development.
While the headlines often go to their blockbuster signings, what’s happening behind the scenes is just as important - and arguably more impressive. The Dodgers have quietly built and maintained one of the most robust farm systems in the game.
And we're not talking about a system that flashes for a season or two. This is a pipeline that consistently churns out talent, year after year, with a level of precision that rivals any organization in baseball.
That’s where President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and his front office have truly separated themselves. They’ve mastered the art of balancing financial muscle with long-term vision. It's not just about signing stars - it's about developing the next wave of them before the current ones even start to fade.
Take a team like the Milwaukee Brewers. They’ve earned a reputation as one of the best in the league when it comes to player development.
And rightfully so. As a small-market club, the Brewers have to rely on scouting, drafting, and development to stay competitive.
They don't have the luxury of covering mistakes with a nine-figure contract.
But here’s the thing: just because the Dodgers can spend, doesn’t mean that’s all they do. In fact, they’ve taken a page from the small-market playbook and scaled it up with big-market resources. That’s not ruining baseball - that’s mastering it.
Need proof? Look no further than the latest farm system rankings from Keith Law, who placed the Dodgers’ system second in all of baseball - behind only the Brewers.
That kind of recognition doesn't come from throwing money around. It comes from smart scouting, savvy trades, and a relentless commitment to development.
And it’s not just about stockpiling prospects for the sake of it. The Dodgers have shown time and again that they know how to turn minor league depth into major league value - whether that’s through internal promotions or shrewd trades.
Case in point: the 2024 trade that sent Michael Busch to the Cubs. Busch was a talented hitter, but he was blocked in L.A.
Rather than let him sit, the Dodgers flipped him for Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris - two top 100 prospects, with Hope now seen as one of the most exciting young players in the sport. That’s the kind of move that doesn’t make headlines like a big signing, but it’s exactly what keeps the Dodgers ahead of the curve.
For every splashy addition like Kyle Tucker, there’s a calculated, under-the-radar trade that reinforces the Dodgers’ long-term foundation. It’s this dual-track approach - big spending and elite development - that makes them so dangerous.
So the next time someone rolls out the tired “they’re just buying championships” line, remember this: the Dodgers aren’t just outspending the league - they’re outsmarting it, too.