Are the Dodgers ruining baseball, or are they just dominating it? Fresh off their Tokyo Series triumph, the Los Angeles Dodgers have landed in hot water yet again. Critics accuse them of aggressive spending and assembling a star-studded roster that threatens competitive balance in MLB. Dodgers players, however, are not ready to accept these accusations quietly, refusing to let their team’s name be dragged unnecessarily. But whether the criticism holds water is still up for debate.
Dismissing all criticism, Dodgers All-Star reliever Kirby Yates asserted that winning is the only priority in Los Angeles. Inspired by a fellow teammate, he emphasized that, “I do not think anyone in the clubhouse cares,” during a spring training interview with Dodgers Nation’s Noel Sanchez. Winning comes at a cost: “Haters are going to hate, right?” That’s why the front office and players remain unfazed, having their eyes set on another championship.
Kirby Yates responds to the “Dodgers Ruining Baseball” narrative while speaking to @noisebynoel:
“I don’t think anybody in the clubhouse cares… haters are going to hate, right?” pic.twitter.com/UJxBbfxqDE
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 22, 2025
Of course, Yates isn’t the first to defend the Dodgers. Freddie Freeman echoed a similar sentiment in his interview with DodgersBlue, reinforcing that the team is focused on delivering the best product for their fans. “I understand people can be mad at us, but when you’re here, they are doing so much good work. To pour it back into the fans and put a product that people want to come out for six straight months, you never know what you’re going to see“, Freeman explained.
When the Dodgers brought in Yates, it surprised many. But it was a no-brainer for him since he wanted to play for a team fully committed to winning. If you ask him, he doesn’t think “there was much of a decision.” Amid the ongoing criticism, Yates didn’t mince his words before claiming that “there’s anybody more committed than the Dodgers right now.” Perhaps this is where he was meant to be.
His words highlight a larger trend—players want to be part of a winning culture. The Dodgers’ front office has consistently invested in top-tier talent, making them one of the most desirable destinations in baseball. Whether through signing superstar free agents or developing homegrown talent, the organization has built a sustainable formula for success. That’s probably why, from ownership to the players, the focus remains on outcomes rather than outside complaints.
Financially, the numbers paint a clear picture of the Dodgers’ commitment to winning. The team is set to pay a staggering $103 million in luxury tax penalties, a figure that alone would rank among the top half of MLB payrolls. They are subject to a 110 percent tax on the overage, but the real issue is not their spending; it is that half the league refuses to spend at all. The Dodgers are simply maximizing their resources to acquire elite talent, including Shohei Ohtani and Rōki Sasaki, while other teams choose to sit idly.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic captured this reality perfectly: “The heart of every baseball fan fuming about the Dodgers’ spending lies an uncomfortable truth: you are just mad your owner is not doing the same thing.” The Dodgers aren’t breaking the system—they’re exposing it.
Dodgers’ blueprint for success and past criticism
While some criticize the Dodgers for “buying championships,” history tells a different story. Their success isn’t just about spending money; it’s about smart roster construction. With this strategy, they have combined high-profile free-agent signings like that of Mookie Betts, Ohtani and Freeman, with homegrown talent like Gavin Lux and Bobby Miller. This balance is why they have remained eternal contenders for over a decade.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has upheld the Dodgers’ approach, stating, “The Dodgers are a well-run, successful organization. Everything that they do and have done is consistent with our rules. They are trying to give their fans the best possible product. Those are all positives.”
As strange as it may sound, this is not the first time an MLB powerhouse has faced a backlash for dominating the league. Remember the New York Yankees‘ era? They faced similar criticism in the late 1990s and early 2000s for assembling an all-star roster. More recently, the Houston Astros were accused of gaming the system with their controversial sign-stealing misconduct.
Yet, these teams, much like the Dodgers today, embrace the criticism and continue winning. The reality is that dominance breeds criticism. The Dodgers are not breaking the law—they are simply playing it better than anyone else.
Regardless, Yates’ retaliation proves one thing: the Dodgers don’t concern themselves with the hate. They are focused on winning, not on narratives. As they pursue another World Series title, the only question is—will the critics ever acknowledge their greatness? Will the Boys in Blue keep proving them wrong?
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