“They are doing what the system allows,” Commissioner Rob Manfred DEFENDS LA Dodgers over spending backlash in offseason

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred claims that the Dodgers have done nothing wrong and are spending as per the rules of the league.

“They are doing what the system allows,” Commissioner Rob Manfred DEFENDS LA Dodgers over spending backlash in offseason

Rob Manfred (Image via Imago)

After the World Series in 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers went all-out in the offseason. They have splashed huge money to land some of the top names. This has led to severe backlash among fans, who have urged the league to implement some sort of salary cap. Commissioner Rob Manfred has now come into their defense and claimed that they are simply doing what the system allows.

The Dodgers have roped in stars like Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Michael Conforto, Hye-Seong Kim, Tanner Scott, and Kirby Yates. Apart from that, they have brought back Teoscar Hernandez, Blake Treinen, Kike Hernandez and Clayton Kershaw.

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All of these signings have seen a huge increase in the competitive balance tax (CBT) payroll of the Dodgers. One thing they have done is that they have deferred some amounts. The $182 million deal of Snell along with the $72 million contract extension of Tommy Edman has some deferred amount.

Speaking at a Spring training media event, Rob Manfred claimed that the Dodgers have “gone out and done everything possible, always within the rules“. He even expressed that this was probably great for the game of baseball.

I can’t be critical of the Dodgers… they’re doing what the system allows. If I’m going to be critical of somebody, it’s not going to be the Dodgers. It’s going to be the system.

Rob Manfred told the reporters

He though acknowledged that there have been some concerns among the fans and owners of the small market team regarding their ability to complete with the financial resources of the Dodgers.

As per Spotrac, the Dodgers currently have a CBT of around $392.5 million for the 2025 season. The New York Mets are the only other team to have crossed the $300 million mark with a total CBT of $321 million.

Rob Manfred hails Hal Steinbrenner and New York Yankees for helping Tampa Bay Rays

For the 2025 season, the Tampa Bay Rays will be playing at the Spring Training ground of the New York Yankees – Steinbrenner Field. This comes after the Rays’ home stadium was damaged by Hurricane Milton. Rob Manfred has now hailed the Yankees and their owner Hal Steinbrenner for this move.

Rob Manfred and Hal Steinbrenner
Rob Manfred and Hal Steinbrenner (Image via ESPN)

With the damage to the Tropicana Field, the Rays were left without a roof over their head. Steinbrenner and the Yankees would later come forward and offer a helping hand to their division rivals.

Speaking on this matter, Manfred mentioned that the baseball industry owes him a “real debt of gratitude”.

I’ve said this publicly, but I’m going to say it now. The industry owes Hal Steinbrenner a real debt of gratitude. I mean, he put literally tens of millions of dollars into improving Steinbrenner Field and the first people who are really going to get to use it for any period of time is the Tampa Bay Rays. That support for the industry, that collegiality is a really important thing.

Rob Manfred told the reporters

At the moment, the repair work at the Tropicana Field has started. The total damages will cost around $55 to $56 million to repair. The Rays, who are in talks about building a new ballpark, are currently expected to return to this site in 2026.