The Los Angeles Dodgers are quickly becoming the team everyone loves to hate—and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. They’ve got money, talent, and a knack for snatching up star players. For baseball fans, it’s a classic case of the rich getting richer. The Dodgers aren’t just good; they’re building what feels like an unstoppable machine.
Let’s talk about their latest move: signing left-handed pitcher Blake Snell to a massive five-year, $182 million contract. Snell had a rough patch last offseason, where teams didn’t exactly line up to give him a home. But now? He’s landed in Los Angeles, a place that seems to be collecting top-tier players like it’s a hobby.
The Dodgers’ ability to pull off deals like this isn’t just about money—it’s about other teams dropping the ball. Take the Boston Red Sox, for example. They practically handed Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in 2020. All it took was a few players who never really made a splash in Boston. Betts, on the other hand, became a cornerstone for L.A., signing a $365 million deal that’s actually worth less in today’s terms because of deferred payments. The kicker? Boston probably could’ve kept him for the same price.
Or look at Freddie Freeman. After helping the Atlanta Braves win the 2021 World Series, he wanted to stay in Atlanta. Instead, they traded for a replacement, Matt Olson, and gave Freeman the cold shoulder. The Dodgers swooped in with a six-year, $162 million offer, and now Freeman is a fan favorite in Los Angeles.
It’s not just Boston and Atlanta missing out. When Snell was on the market last winter, teams like the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees could’ve grabbed him. Instead, they hesitated, and Snell ended up signing a short-term deal with the Giants. Then, he bounced back with an incredible second half of the season, boosting his value just in time to become a Dodger.
The Dodgers aren’t just lucky; they’re strategic. They’ve spent billions in the past year alone, including landing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto—two of the biggest names in baseball—for a combined $1 billion. It wasn’t just about money, though. Players want to be in L.A. The city offers the perfect mix of fame, competition, and a real shot at winning championships.
And it’s not like the Dodgers are hurting for cash. Their massive TV deal, Japanese sponsorships tied to Ohtani, and huge crowds at their games keep the money rolling in. They’re at the point where even midweek games against smaller teams like the Diamondbacks draw tens of thousands of fans.
Meanwhile, teams like the Giants and Red Sox are scrambling to catch up. The Giants have swung and missed on big free agents, and the Red Sox are suddenly trying to win back fans by chasing stars like Juan Soto. But building a powerhouse isn’t something you can do overnight. It takes years of smart decisions and investments, something the Dodgers seem to have mastered.
So, while other teams are left playing catch-up, the Dodgers keep stacking their deck. Hate them all you want, but their success isn’t just about money—it’s about making the right moves at the right time. And for now, they’re sitting comfortably at the top, with no signs of slowing down.
