The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again stirred the pot with their bold moves in free agency, leading to renewed calls for a salary cap. Yet, some of the game's biggest stars are backing the Dodgers' strategy.
Philadelphia Phillies standout Bryce Harper is all for it, saying he wishes more teams would take a page from the Dodgers' playbook. Over in San Diego, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. have also chimed in, applauding their rivals for consistently aiming for the top prize each season.
Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes appreciates the nods from fellow players but makes it clear that the team's focus is on results, not validation. As he put it, “The validation is winning championships and putting out as good of teams as we can each and every year.”
With back-to-back World Series titles under their belt, the Dodgers have bolstered their lineup by signing star free agents Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz. This offseason spending spree has pushed their luxury tax payroll beyond the $400 million mark for the second year running.
But as Harper pointed out, the Dodgers' success isn't just about big contracts. Their knack for drafting, developing talent, and rejuvenating under-the-radar players is just as crucial.
These elements have set the Dodgers up to potentially become the first team since the 1998-2000 Yankees to clinch three consecutive World Series titles.
As spring approaches, the Dodgers' spending habits are sure to be a hot topic in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA) talks between MLB and the Players Association. With Bruce Meyer stepping in as interim executive director, the negotiations promise to be intriguing.