PEORIA, Ariz. — San Diego Padres’ key infielder Manny Machado is entirely comfortable with the competitive Los Angeles Dodgers’ ongoing financial investment in athletes, even as his own club — and others — is relegated to a subordinate position in the free agent market.
“I absolutely adore it,” Machado exclaimed on Sunday from the Padres’ training ground. “Every team ought to be pursuing this. That practice is exceptionally beneficial for the game.”
The Dodgers maintained their expenditure surge this winter, raising their total salary commitments to roughly $400 million. Among their recruits was Kyle Tucker, the most sought-after batter obtainable, secured with a four-year, $240 million pact.
Concurrently, the Padres acquired budget-friendly athletes just last week, bringing in pitchers German Marquez and Griffin Canning, in addition to outfielder Nick Castellanos, whose $20 million remuneration is underwritten by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Rather than requesting a more equitable fiscal landscape among markets, Machado simply wishes all would invest funds akin to the Dodgers, instead of curtailing their activities.
“I believe every team possesses the potential to accomplish it,” Machado stated. “I hope all 30 organizations draw lessons from that example.”
As athletes and club owners make ready for imminent collective bargaining to commence next month, numerous players are being queried on whether the Dodgers’ practices — namely, monopolizing a significant number of premier athletes each winter — are advantageous for the sport.
“I greatly appreciate the Dodgers’ actions, clearly. I mean, they furnish the capital, they allocate the funds,” Phillies’ prominent player Bryce Harper informed journalists in Florida. “Indeed, they constitute a formidable squad. They conduct their club as an enterprise, and they administer it appropriately.
“… Each club in baseball is afforded a chance to engage in similar endeavors. Perhaps not at the pinnacle of financial outlay, but they are capable of drafting, cultivating talent, and trading. I believe numerous organizations in baseball can achieve that, and they ought to.”
For the Padres, this represents a stark contrast to just a few years prior, when they committed Manny Machado ($300 million), Fernando Tatis Jr. ($340 million), and Xander Bogaerts ($280 million) to protracted agreements. San Diego now holds the sixth position in expenditure – lagging behind the Dodgers by roughly $150 million.
Dodgers’ chief executive Brandon Gomes mentioned on Sunday that he seeks neither affirmation nor apprehension from others. He instead opts to laud ownership, disregard diversions, and stay dedicated to the primary aim.
“I believe, primarily, it’s the exceptional backing from ownership, as we’ve consistently received, enabling us to venture forth and be empowered to fulfill the requirements that will assist us in striving for another championship,” Gomes remarked. “I believe much of it involves examining the roster’s requirements and the market’s offerings. We were in the advantageous situation to obtain players who integrated seamlessly.”
“… The true testament lies in securing championships and presenting the strongest possible squad annually. All we endeavor to do is improve incrementally each season, with the aspiration of claiming a title. Our coaching staff, our players, I believe, regard it as such. … We must not concern ourselves with it.”
A component of the collective bargaining discussions will likely encompass owners’ aspiration for a salary cap. MLB athletes have historically opposed that idea, but as the sole professional sports league lacking such a cap — and with the Dodgers surpassing all others in expenditure — it is progressively becoming an increasingly significant subject.
“I believe a cap ought not to exist,” Machado asserted. “Considerable revenue is being generated. Observe the developments within the sport over the past five years. It has been superb. Numerous teams possess the potential to emulate the Dodgers’ actions. We commenced it a few years ago with [former owner] Peter [Seidler].
“Everyone is able to achieve it. It solely depends on whether they choose to or not.”
ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez furnished information for this article.