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Jesse Rogers
Multiple Authors
PEORIA, Ariz. — San Diego Padres superstar Manny Machado expressed his enthusiasm for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ aggressive spending on players, even as his own team and others remain cautious in free agency.
“I f—ing love it,” Machado stated on Sunday from Padres camp. “Every team should be doing it. That s— is f—ing great for the game.”
This winter, the Dodgers have significantly increased their payroll, which now stands at around $400 million, highlighted by the acquisition of Kyle Tucker, the top hitter on the market, who signed a four-year, $240 million deal.
compared to, the Padres have opted for budget-friendly players this past week, signing pitchers German Marquez and Griffin Canning, along with outfielder Nick Castellanos—whose $20 million salary is largely covered by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Machado would rather see all teams follow the Dodgers’ lead instead of trying to create a more equitable financial landscape across MLB.
“I believe every team has the capability to do it,” Machado declared. “I hope all 30 teams take notes from that.”
As players and owners prepare for upcoming labor negotiations, many are questioning whether the Dodgers’ approach—acquiring top talent every winter—is beneficial for the game.
“I love what the Dodgers do, obviously,” said Phillies star Bryce Harper while speaking to reporters in Florida. “They invest the money, they make the right moves. They’re a fantastic team that operates its business correctly.
“… Every team in baseball has the chance to replicate that. They may not have the same financial capacity, but they can draft, develop, and make trades. Teams should do that.”
For the Padres, the current situation is a stark contrast to just a few years ago when they invested in Machado ($300 million), Fernando Tatis Jr. ($340 million), and Xander Bogaerts ($280 million) with long-term contracts. San Diego is currently sixth in spending, trailing the Dodgers by nearly $150 million.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes noted on Sunday that he isn’t seeking validation or worried about criticism. Instead, he focuses on praising ownership and remaining concentrated on their ultimate goal.
“First and foremost, it’s the incredible backing from ownership, as we’ve always had, that allows us to address our needs to pursue another championship,” Gomes explained. “A lot of it is about assessing what the roster requires and what’s available. We’ve been fortunate enough to acquire players who are a great fit.
“… Validation comes from winning championships and assembling the best team possible year after year. We’re just aiming to improve incrementally each season, with the championship as our ultimate goal. Our coaching staff and players share this vision… We can’t let distractions sway us.”
The labor discussions are likely to touch on owners’ desires for a salary cap. While MLB players have traditionally resisted this issue, the absence of a cap in the league—especially with the Dodgers outspending all others—is becoming an increasingly relevant topic.
“A cap should not exist,” Machado asserted. “There is plenty of money being generated. Just look at the developments in the game over the last five years. It’s been excellent. Many teams can emulate what the Dodgers are doing, much like we began under [former owner] Peter [Seidler].
“Anyone can do it; it’s simply a matter of desire.”
ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez contributed to this report.
