MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred: Dodgers’ Spending Spree Is ‘A Great Thing’

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason spending spree has been the biggest story of the offseason, sparking ire from fans and teams alike.

Whether it’s securing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, NLCS MVP Tommy Edman, two-time All-Star Teoscar Hernández or the highly sought-after pitcher Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers have been unstoppable, spending over $450 million in guaranteed money. This comes, of course, on top of a roster headlined by Shohei Ohtani that won the World Series in 2024.

As the season encroaches, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred addressed fan concerns about the Dodgers’ spending at spring training media day.

“The Dodgers have gone out and done everything possible, always within the rules to put the best possible team on the field,” Manfred said. “I think that’s a great thing. That type of competitive spirit is what people want to see.”

Manfred did, however, follow this up by acknowledging fan concerns.

“It’s clear we have fans in some markets that are concerned about the ability of the team in their market to compete with the financial resources of the Dodgers,” he continued. “If we’ve been consistent on one point, we try to listen to our fans on topics like this. And I have heard people, believe me.”

The Dodgers, who are spending $100 million more than any other team besides the New York Mets, are also paying record amounts in luxury tax.

Los Angeles’ spending is enabled by MLB’s lack of a salary cap, which has been a point of contention for fans, along with hundreds of millions of deferred money stretching for the next 20 years. Still, everything they’re doing is above the table – and their continued success remains to be seen.

“If I’m going to be critical of something, it’s not going to be the Dodgers,” Manfred supplemented. “It’s going to be the system.”