Rob Manfred Says Dodgers Is ‘What System Allows’

Key Takeaways:

• The Los Angeles Dodgers have outspent other teams considerably, including signing or extending five players to nine-figure deals this offseason.

• MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred asserts that the Dodgers are playing within the system’s rules and suggests criticism should be directed at the system itself.

• Manfred acknowledges that disparity in Major League Baseball is a top concern and is at the forefront of issues facing the sport.

• When asked about a potential salary cap in the next CBA, Manfred declined to comment, indicating the sensitivity of the topic.

• Manfred underscores the importance of handling collective bargaining discussions privately to achieve a deal with the MLBPA.

Dodgers’ Offseason Spending Highlights Disparity

The Los Angeles Dodgers have outpaced their Major League Baseball rivals in spending by a significant margin in recent years. This offseason alone, they’ve signed or extended five players to nine-figure deals, further cementing their financial dominance within the league.

Commissioner Manfred’s Perspective on the System

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the issue but refrained from criticizing the Dodgers for their substantial expenditures. “Disparity should be, it certainly is, at the top of my list of concerns about what’s occurring in the sport,” Manfred said. “When I say 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.”

Avoiding Public Salary Cap Debate

When questioned about whether MLB will push for a salary cap during the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, Manfred chose not to provide specifics. “I’m not going to get into what the answer is,” he stated. “We’re a year away. I have owners with really strongly held views that I need to coalesce into a position that we’ll ultimately take to the MLBPA.”

Emphasizing Private Negotiations with the MLBPA

Manfred emphasized the importance of conducting negotiations privately rather than in the public eye. “I don’t think starting that debate publicly is a good start,” he noted. “Whatever we settle on, we’re going to present in the collective bargaining process and try to handle it privately in order to get a deal.”

Looking Ahead to the Next CBA

As the league approaches the next round of CBA negotiations, Manfred’s comments highlight the challenges ahead in addressing financial disparity and the mechanisms that allow teams like the Dodgers to outspend their competitors. The focus remains on finding solutions within the framework of the system to ensure competitive balance across the sport.