Ex-Dodgers Star Manny Machado Defends Team Amid Spending Criticism with NSFW Comments

Manny Machado claimed that he loved what the Los Angeles Dodgers were doing and expressed that all teams should try that.

Ex-Dodgers Star Manny Machado Defends Team Amid Spending Criticism with NSFW Comments

Manny Machado (Image via Imago)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again splashed the cash this offseason. While many have criticized them for their spending, San Diego Padres star Manny Machado came to their defense. On Sunday, he dropped some NSFW comments while defending the LA-based side.

After winning back-to-back World Series, following their victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, the Dodgers brought in Edwin Diaz. The 3-time All-Star pitcher had opted out of his deal with the New York Mets after they failed to qualify for the postseason.

The relief pitcher would pick the 3-year, $69 million offer of the Dodgers instead of returning to the Mets. In his introductory press conference, Diaz would claim that they were a winning organization and thus he decided to come here.

A massive uproar was caused last month when the two-time defending champions landed Kyle Tucker. Along with them, the Mets and the Blue Jays were reported to be favorites to land him.

Like Diaz, Tucker would choose the Dodgers. The team signed him on a 4-year, $240 million deal, making this the second biggest contract in terms of Average Annual Value (AAV) at $60 million. Reports later claimed that the former Houston Astros star had a 4-year, $220 million offer from the Mets.

While there are deferrals in Tucker’s deal, many were not happy to see him sign with the National League West side. On Sunday, Manny Machado was asked about his thoughts regarding the spending spree of their division rivals.

The third baseman would come into the defense of his former team and expressed that he loves what they are doing. He even added that all other teams should try to replicate that.

I f**king love it. I love it. I mean, honestly, I think every team should be doing it. They’ve figured out a way to do it, and s**t is f**king great for the game.

Manny Machado told the reporters at Padres camp

These comments from Machado came a day after the Padres landed Nick Castellanos. The outfielder, who fell out with the Philadelphia Phillies, would sign with them on a 1-year deal.

According to Spotrac, the Padres are currently ranked 6th in the MLB payroll ranking for 2026 with an estimated tax payroll of $257 million. The Dodgers, meanwhile, are top of this list with $390 million.

Bryce Harper is also a fan of what Dodgers are doing

On Sunday, Manny Machado expressed that he loves what the Los Angeles Dodgers are doing and how they are handling their finances. He, however, was not the only one who was impressed by them, as Bryce Harper also spoke highly of them.

Phillies' Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper (Image via Imago)

While speaking with the reporters at the Philadelphia Phillies camp, the former National League MVP claimed that the team knows how to work within the rules and they develop talents and work on trades.

I love what the Dodgers do, obviously. I mean, they pay the money, they spend the money. They’re a great team, they run their team like a business. They run it the right way... It bothers me when everybody talks about the Dodgers spending money. No. They draft, they develop, they do it the right way. They understand what it takes to be the best team in baseball.

Bryce Harper said regarding Los Angeles Dodgers

Last year, Harper made similar remarks regarding them. In an interview, the 8-time MLB All-Star expressed that only “losers” were complaining about their spending.

In 2025, the Phillies did have a positive record against the NL West team in the regular season. However, things changed in the postseason.

The Dave Roberts-led side eliminated the Phillies from the National League Division Series (NLDS) by winning the best-of-five series by 3-1. It marked a second straight year where they had lost in the NLDS, having been eliminated by their division rivals, the New York Mets, in 2024.

MLB owners were left fuming at Dodgers after Kyle Tucker’s signing

Kyle Tucker’s signing caused a major uproar online. After he officially joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, several MLB owners were left fuming.

Kyle Tucker of the Dodgers
Kyle Tucker (Image via MLB)

Like many of their deals, the World Series champion inserted deferrals in his contract. According to MLB insider Evan Drellich, the owners were left “raging” and would now push for a salary cap once the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires on December 1, 2026.

It was later reported that the team will only pay him $1 million in salary this year. This was because he would receive $64 million as a signing bonus.

Speaking of the salary cap, the MLB is the only league among the Big 4 leagues to not feature a salary cap. With the way things have gone, a salary cap or a salary floor could be on its way in the future.

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