The Dodgers probably have the best roster in MLB in 2026 and that is largely due to the great investment that the Los Angeles front office has been making year after year. For Fernando Tatis Jr., this is the right strategy. An unexpected and controversial admission.
Tatis Jr. recognizes Dodgers model
While in San Diego they are fine-tuning details in Spring Training, their main figure, Fernando Tatis Jr., was blunt when talking about the economic power of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
That’s the right way to do it. If you want to go out and win everything, that’s the right way to do it, and they’re doing it right
His words did not go unnoticed. With a projected payroll that could exceed $400 million in 2026, the Dodgers have turned aggressive spending into a constant competitive tool.
Manny Machado also backs spending
The Dominican player’s comments are not an isolated case, as his teammate Manny Machado also openly defended the millionaire investment as part of the growth of baseball.
I love it. Every team should be doing it. That’s fantastic for the game
Machado even addressed the debate over a possible salary cap in the Major Leagues:
There shouldn’t be a salary cap. There’s a lot of money being made. Look at what’s happened in the game over the last five years… A lot of teams have the ability to do what the Dodgers are doing
The statements are particularly noteworthy because they come from key figures from the San Diego Padres, direct rivals of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West Division
Indirect message to the San Diego board?
Some fans interpret Tatis‘ words as a veiled criticism of the Padres’ management, as the team finished last season with a 90-72 record, second in the NL West, but was eliminated in the wild card round and in the offseason they were far from being one of the leading teams for their signings.
But it’s not all about opening the wallet, in Los Angeles success is not based solely on spending large sums, but on developing a scouting and youth development system that complements high-profile acquisitions. This combination has been key to achieving back-to-back championships and reaffirming themselves as strong favorites to win a third consecutive World Series.
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