Dodgers' $400 million payroll attracts reward from Manny Machado, Bryce Harper

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading into the 2026 season trying to win their third straight World Collection, and as soon as once more, they added All-Star gamers to an already stacked 40-man roster.

In consequence, many within the baseball world have grumbled and groaned in regards to the huge spending Los Angeles is doing on the open market. However there may be the opposite aspect of the argument: How do gamers on different groups really feel in regards to the tremendous squad the Dodgers and GM Brandon Gomes have been in a position to put collectively?

"I f---ing find it irresistible," San Diego Padres star third baseman Manny Machado told reporters at spring coaching when requested in regards to the Dodgers heading into the brand new 12 months. "I find it irresistible. I imply, truthfully, I feel each crew ought to be doing it. They’ve discovered a method to do it, and it’s f---ing nice for the sport."

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Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres seems to be on throughout warms up previous to the sport towards the Chicago Cubs in sport three of the Nationwide League Wild Card Collection at Wrigley Subject on Oct. 2, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures)

Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Bryce Harper shares Machado’s sentiment.

"I like what the Dodgers do, truthfully," he stated at his crew’s Clearwater facility this week. "They pay the cash. They spend the cash. They’re an amazing crew. They run their crew like a enterprise. They usually run it the suitable manner."

The Dodgers head into the 2026 season with a large $400 million payroll, although there are groups shut behind. The New York Mets are second with a projected $368.3 million, adopted by the New York Yankees at $333.25 million.

However the Phillies are fourth on the listing ($311.18 million), and the Padres are sixth ($257.84 million), and Machado and Harper have each cashed in on huge contracts over their careers. After all, these contracts have been rightfully earned for each gamers.

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Los Angeles has taken the spending to a distinct stage, although, which has led a gaggle of baseball followers to say the Dodgers are ruining baseball. The actual fact the collective bargaining settlement expires on Dec. 1, 2026 makes issues much more fascinating, as an MLB lockout could possibly be within the works with a wage cap debate nearly actually on the middle of future negotiations.

Nevertheless, the phrases of Machado and Harper present how a lot the gamers benefit from the Dodgers spending cash. As they each stated, the Dodgers’ spending is what they need to see as a result of, finally, which means their friends are being paid the cash they really feel they’re price.

On the identical time, smaller market groups are unable to spend the way in which the Dodgers and huge market groups do. That argument, nonetheless, isn’t one Machado finds affordable.

Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies arrives at Residents Financial institution Park previous to Recreation Two of the Nationwide League Division Collection offered by Reserving.com between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Trevor Hayes/MLB Photographs)

"I feel each crew has the power to do it," he stated. "So, I hope all 30 groups can be taught from that."

Harper added: "Every crew in baseball has a chance to do the identical factor. Possibly not on the higher echelon of cash. However they will draft, they will develop, they will commerce. I don’t know, I feel lots of groups can do this in baseball. And they need to."

Gomes was requested about his opinion of those that say the Dodgers are ruining baseball, and as anticipated, he isn’t anxious in regards to the outdoors noise.

"I don’t actually pay any consideration to that in any respect," he stated, per the California Put up. "We’re not wanting externally. The validation is successful championships and placing out nearly as good a crew as you possibly can each 12 months."

Los Angeles Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman holds the trophy throughout a ceremony after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 in sport 4 of the Nationwide League Championship Collection at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Pictures)

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The Dodgers’ newest big-name acquisitions have been outfielder Kyle Tucker, who signed a whopping four-year, $240 million deal, and nearer Edwin Diaz, who got here aboard on a three-year, $69 million contract.