While evaluations of the Los Angeles Dodgers, considered the strongest team in Major League Baseball, are extremely divided, star players from rival clubs have been voicing positive opinions one after another.
On the 18th (Korean time), according to the U.S. sports outlet Sports Illustrated, the Dodgers have recently received conflicting views among fans, being called both "a team that makes good use of massive support" and "a team that is ruining baseball," and there is almost no middle ground. However, recently star players from other clubs have continued to voice support for the Dodgers.
Earlier, Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) reiterated remarks he had made in April last year, emphasizing that the Dodgers' roster construction is not something to be criticized. He said the Dodgers' success is not simply because of a high aggregate payroll, and that their player development ability has not been sufficiently recognized.
Then Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres, when asked about Harper's remarks, also praised the rival team. He said all clubs could make similar levels of expenditure in the free-agent market and expressed the view that other owners should actively invest as well.
Machado's teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. also echoed that view. In a San Diego local radio interview he said, "That's the right way. If you want to win, that's the right way. They are doing it properly."
That remark can be interpreted to mean there is a direct link between a high aggregate payroll and winning the World Series. In fact, over the past two seasons the Dodgers have posted strong results, but that did not guarantee the outcome.
In 2024 the Dodgers' starting pitchers suffered a wave of injuries, forcing them to rely on the bullpen to a level that would normally be unsustainable. Also, in last year's postseason they faced elimination and needed two consecutive road wins, and they survived thanks to performances that came through at decisive moments. If even one of those moments had swung toward the opposing Toronto side, the result could have been different.
Meanwhile there is a practical background to star players supporting the Dodgers. The players' union and MLB are facing the possibility of a lockout and upcoming negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, and many of the players involved have signed major contracts.
Harper received interest from the Dodgers as a free agent but turned down a short-term offer and chose a 13-year, $330 million contract with Philadelphia (about 477.6 billion won).
Machado joined the Dodgers in a 2018 trade, reached the World Series, then became a free agent and in 2019 signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with San Diego (about 434.2 billion won). Later, in 2023, even though his previous contract still had time remaining, he signed an 11-year, $350 million extension (about 506.6 billion won).
Tatis Jr. is also a long-term contract player. He agreed in 2021 to a 14-year, $340 million contract with San Diego (about 492.1 billion won).
Ultimately the debate surrounding the Dodgers continues, but at least among players the assessment is clear. Even competitors acknowledge, "If you want to win, you have to do it that way."
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