In a refreshing departure from the usual grumbling about the Los Angeles Dodgers' massive spending, two of baseball's top veterans expressed enthusiastic support for the team's financial approach. Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies and Manny Machado, now with the San Diego Padres, both praised the Dodgers during interviews on Sunday morning, highlighting how their strategy benefits the game.
Speaking to reporters at Padres camp, Machado, a former Dodger, was unequivocal in his admiration. “I f–king love it,” Machado said. “I love it. I mean, honestly, I think every team should be doing it. They’ve figured out a way to do it, and it’s f–king great for the game.” His comments came in response to questions about competing against the Dodgers, the defending two-time World Series champions with a payroll exceeding $400 million.
Harper echoed Machado's sentiment from Phillies camp, offering similar praise for the Dodgers' business model. “I love what the Dodgers do, honestly,” Harper said. “They pay the money. They spend the money. They’re a great team. They run their team like a business. And they run it the right way.” Both players struck a defiant tone, rejecting the typical complaints about the Dodgers disrupting competitive balance.
The Dodgers' aggressive spending has long drawn criticism from around the league, with detractors arguing it undermines fairness in baseball. However, Harper and Machado's remarks represent a notable shift, coming from high-profile sluggers who directly compete against the powerhouse club in the National League.
Machado's history with the Dodgers adds context to his support; he previously played for the team before joining the Padres. Meanwhile, Harper, a Phillies star, faces the Dodgers regularly in divisional play and postseason matchups, making his endorsement particularly striking.
True to form, the Dodgers organization did not engage with or respond to the positive comments from Harper and Machado. In recent years, the team has consistently downplayed external critiques of its roster construction, maintaining a focus on its internal strategy.
These statements from Sunday underscore a divide in baseball's discourse on spending. While some continue to revile the Dodgers' approach, voices like Harper's and Machado's suggest that not everyone views the record-breaking payroll as a problem for the sport.
