The San Diego Padres are no strangers to uphill battles in the NL West. Sharing a division with the Los Angeles Dodgers-baseball’s undisputed big spenders-means the Padres are constantly measuring themselves against a financial juggernaut. And while many around the league have grown weary of the Dodgers’ deep pockets and headline-grabbing contracts, not everyone is throwing shade.
In fact, one of the Padres' biggest stars is outright celebrating it.
Manny Machado isn’t just tolerating the Dodgers’ spending spree-he’s embracing it.
“I (expletive) love it,” Machado said, when asked about the Dodgers’ approach to building their roster. “Every team should be doing it. That (expletive) is (expletive) great for the game.”
That’s not exactly what you’d expect to hear from a player who has to face the Dodgers 13 times a year. But Machado’s comments offer a candid glimpse into how many players truly feel about the economics of the modern game. In a league where front offices and ownership groups often talk about “sustainability” and “fiscal responsibility,” players are looking at the Dodgers and seeing something else entirely: opportunity.
The Dodgers’ latest move-a staggering four-year, $240 million deal for Kyle Tucker-has only intensified the conversation. That’s $60 million per year, a number that eclipses the entire payroll of several teams across MLB. It’s the kind of deal that turns heads and raises eyebrows, especially among small- and mid-market franchises that can’t-or won’t-spend at that level.
But for players like Machado, it’s a signal that the market is alive and well. The more teams that are willing to open their checkbooks, the more leverage players have.
A salary cap? That’s a nonstarter for most of them.
Capping spending means capping earnings. And with contracts like Tucker’s hitting the books, it’s clear why players are pushing back hard against any talk of limitations.
Machado’s stance is especially notable considering the context. He’s not just any player-he’s the face of a Padres team that’s been chasing the Dodgers for years.
San Diego has made its own big moves in recent seasons, but they still operate in a different financial stratosphere than their SoCal rivals. And yet here he is, not only defending the Dodgers but urging other teams to follow their lead.
That kind of endorsement speaks volumes. It underscores a growing divide between players and certain ownership groups when it comes to spending philosophy. While some front offices call for parity through financial restraint, many players see big spending as the path to a more competitive-and lucrative-league.
Machado’s comments also reflect a broader truth: players want to win, but they also want to get paid. And when one team sets a precedent by handing out record-setting deals, it raises the bar for everyone else. The ripple effect of the Dodgers’ spending isn’t just felt in the standings-it’s felt in contract negotiations across the league.
So while Padres fans might be frustrated watching their rivals stockpile stars, their franchise cornerstone is taking a different view. For Machado, the Dodgers' spending isn’t a threat-it’s a blueprint. And he’s not alone in thinking that way.
In a sport where money talks louder than ever, the message from the players is clear: if you’ve got it, spend it.