Supporters charge Rob Manfred and the Dodgers with going over budget to win another championship: “This is embarrassing for MLB”
In Major League Baseball (ML MLB), the phrase “win at all costs” has taken on a more literal meaning in recent years. For some teams, particularly those with deep pockets, the race to the top involves far more than talent, strategy, and teamwork. It’s about leveraging financial might, bending or, some argue, outright breaking the unwritten rules of baseball’s salary cap system. Among the most frequently criticized organizations in this regard is the Los Angeles Dodgers—a team whose lavish spending has led many to question the integrity of the sport. Most recently, critics have come out in force, accusing MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the Dodgers of deliberately going over budget in their pursuit of another championship, turning the game of baseball into a financial arms race.
The Dodgers have long been one of the wealthiest and most successful teams in the MLB, and their commitment to winning is evident in their near-constant pursuit of big-name players, along with a payroll that consistently ranks among the highest in the league. But in 2025, the team’s lavish spending spurred renewed criticism. Critics are now asking whether the “no-luxury-tax” rules governing MLB’s finances have given teams like the Dodgers an unfair advantage. As they continue to chase that elusive World Series title, many argue that Rob Manfred’s leadership has turned a blind eye to the inequities caused by teams like the Dodgers, who seemingly have no budgetary constraints when it comes to winning championships.
With so much money pouring into MLB, the question remains: Is the playing field truly level for all teams, or has a select few, like the Dodgers, distorted the game’s competitive balance with financial firepower?
The Dodgers’ Spending Spree: The Pursuit of Championship Glory
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been at the forefront of the MLB’s financial evolution. Over the past decade, the team has amassed a payroll that consistently breaks league records. Despite not having a salary cap, MLB imposes a luxury tax threshold, which, when surpassed, results in teams paying a tax on the amount spent over that limit. However, the Dodgers have routinely gone over that threshold, fully aware that the cost is manageable for a team with their resources.
Under the leadership of president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers have been relentless in their pursuit of the best talent, regardless of price. The team’s aggressive spending has included large free-agent signings, major trades, and long-term contract extensions for some of their biggest stars. In recent years, the Dodgers have added high-profile players such as Mookie Betts, Max Scherzer, and Freddie Freeman, all of whom come with hefty price tags. This lavish spending spree has earned the Dodgers multiple division titles and a World Series championship in 2020, but it has also raised concerns about the competitive fairness of MLB.
For critics, the Dodgers’ model is problematic not only because of the staggering salaries but because of what it represents: a league where the wealthiest teams can simply buy championships. Critics claim that this undermines the competitive spirit of baseball, turning what should be a level playing field into a financial contest where only the richest organizations can truly compete for a championship. Teams in smaller markets or those with less lucrative television contracts and sponsorship deals find themselves at a distinct disadvantage.
Rob Manfred’s Role: Turning a Blind Eye to Financial Inequality
At the heart of the controversy surrounding the Dodgers’ spending spree is Rob Manfred, the current Commissioner of Major League Baseball. As the league’s overseer, Manfred has been tasked with ensuring fairness and competitiveness within MLB. However, many fans and critics argue that his leadership has allowed teams like the Dodgers to grow even more powerful, perpetuating an environment where a select few teams dominate the championship race year after year.
One of the most common charges against Manfred is that he has failed to enforce financial discipline or institute any form of salary cap that could prevent teams from leveraging their vast financial resources to purchase a title. In contrast to the NBA and NFL, where salary caps exist to ensure parity, MLB operates without one, allowing teams with deep pockets to consistently outbid their competition for the best available talent. The Dodgers have taken full advantage of this lack of restrictions, effectively creating a payroll that puts them on a different level than the majority of teams in the league.
This dynamic has led to accusations that Manfred is complicit in a system that allows financial disparity to dictate the outcome of championships, rather than pure competition on the field. By failing to implement measures that promote financial equality or limit spending, Manfred has been accused of prioritizing the wealthiest franchises over the smaller-market teams, which many feel undermines the spirit of fairness and equity within the sport. Some even argue that Manfred’s indifference to the growing financial gap between teams is “embarrassing for MLB,” as it has created an unbalanced and unsustainable system.
The Impact on MLB’s Competitive Landscape
The implications of the Dodgers’ financial dominance reach far beyond the LA market. Teams like the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, and Miami Marlins—who operate in smaller markets with much lower revenue streams—find it increasingly difficult to compete with organizations like the Dodgers that are capable of spending without limits. This financial disparity has led to growing frustration among fans, players, and owners of smaller-market teams, who feel that the lack of financial parity diminishes their chances of winning.
The Dodgers’ spending spree has highlighted the problem of financial inequality, especially in the MLB postseason. When a team like the Dodgers can stack their roster with talent like Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urías, and supplement it with superstar hitters like Betts and Freeman, it becomes increasingly difficult for teams with smaller budgets to match that level of star power. The result is an environment where the best players are concentrated in a few elite teams, and the rest of the league is left to fight for scraps.
Furthermore, the Dodgers’ heavy investments in talent often lead to an imbalance in team-building strategies. The emphasis on signing the biggest free agents or making blockbuster trades puts pressure on other teams to adopt similar strategies or risk falling behind. This has created a growing sense of frustration among teams who are unable to spend freely due to financial restrictions, further compounding the problem of an uneven playing field.
The Criticism of Manfred’s Lack of Action
The most significant point of contention among critics is Manfred’s apparent lack of action in addressing the issue of financial disparity. While he has taken steps to address other issues within the sport, such as rule changes and the implementation of technology, Manfred has been slow to adopt measures that would curtail excessive spending or enforce a level of financial discipline across the league.
In the past, some have suggested implementing a salary cap that would limit how much teams can spend on player salaries, similar to what exists in the NFL or NBA. Such a measure would go a long way in promoting parity across the league, making it more difficult for wealthier teams like the Dodgers to simply outspend their competition. However, Manfred has not shown a strong inclination to pursue such a plan, which has led many to accuse him of prioritizing the interests of the wealthiest teams—teams like the Dodgers—at the expense of the overall health of the sport.
Additionally, critics argue that Manfred’s refusal to intervene in the financial dynamics of MLB is hurting the integrity of the game. In many ways, baseball is losing its essence as a sport that rewards hard work, talent development, and strategy, and instead is becoming a contest of financial muscle. The Dodgers’ continued spending spree underscores this point, as they have the financial flexibility to make significant moves year after year without the same restrictions that face other organizations. This, some argue, is damaging the competitive nature of baseball and turning it into an economic race where only the richest teams can truly compete.
The Dangers of Unchecked Spending: A Risk for MLB’s Long-Term Health
While the Dodgers’ financial power has made them perennial contenders, there are significant risks associated with an MLB landscape dominated by financial giants. The lack of spending restrictions, combined with the Dodgers’ continual investment in top-tier talent, has resulted in a growing divide between the league’s wealthiest teams and everyone else. If this trend continues unchecked, it could create an untenable situation where a small group of teams dominates the sport, while the rest of the league struggles to compete.
Such a scenario would likely lead to a loss of fan interest, particularly in markets where fans feel their teams have no realistic shot at competing. As teams like the Dodgers continue to spend freely, the sense of excitement and competition in MLB could diminish, leading to lower television ratings, less revenue, and an overall decline in the sport’s popularity. This could have far-reaching consequences for the game’s long-term health, potentially causing irreparable damage to the competitive integrity that has made MLB such a beloved institution for over a century.
What’s Next for MLB and Rob Manfred?
The increasing criticism of Rob Manfred and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spending habits highlights an ongoing issue in Major League Baseball: the widening financial gap between the richest teams and the rest of the league. Critics argue that this imbalance is undermining the competitive nature of the sport, and that Manfred’s failure to implement policies that address this issue is damaging baseball’s reputation. As the Dodgers continue their quest for another championship, they remain the symbol of an MLB system that rewards wealth over merit. If the league is to maintain its standing as one of the most popular sports in America, meaningful change is needed to ensure that all teams, regardless of financial resources, have a fair shot at victory. The next steps will determine not only the future of the Dodgers but the future of the sport itself.
