The Hollywood sluggers have reached the Fall Classic for the fifth time in nine seasons, extending their remarkable streak of 13 consecutive postseason appearances. And when they clinched the NLCS, Manager Dave Roberts quipped that they were out to “ruin baseball”— just four wins away from the ring. Since then, the “Dodgers ruining baseball” narrative has gained traction. But why? The Dodgers are known for signing hefty contracts, and that shadow of spending has followed them all season. Now, experts — and data — have stepped in, and the narrative may shift.

The numbers tell an interesting story. They currently sit second on MLB’s 2025 payroll rankings at approximately $321M. Andrew Friedman and the front office have never been afraid to sign big-name players like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and others. On the other side, there are teams like the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres, who also signed big contracts. But it’s the Dodgers who are in the Finals.

MLB insider Dan Clark recently challenged the entire “ruining baseball” narrative with a pointed observation on X: “Yankees dropped over a billion dollars on Judge ($360M), Stanton ($325M), and Cole ($324M). The Padres dropped almost a billion dollars on Machado ($350M), Tatis Jr. ($340M), and Bogaerts ($280M). Both have poor ROI. The Dodgers aren’t ‘ruining baseball’ – they just invest wisely.” Clark argues that it’s not just how much you spend, but how you spend it. And for the Dodgers, the return on investment is showing up on the field.

Indeed, the Dodgers’ investments are playing great on the diamond. Their roster depth and player performance justify every dollar spent. Meanwhile, the Yankees’ billion-dollar trio has struggled to deliver championship results despite occupying prime real estate on the payroll. The issue isn’t the spending itself—it’s what teams get in return.

Clark isn’t the only one who observed this. Ben Verlander echoed this sentiment with his own analysis: “The Los Angeles Dodgers spend about 75% of their revenue on the team, whereas most everybody else in the league is in the mid 30%. So it’s not that the Los Angeles Dodgers are a problem. It’s that these other teams just need to pay their players when they have them.” The Yankees, generating over $700 million in annual revenue, certainly have the financial capacity to match the Dodgers’ investment philosophy. They just haven’t made it work the same way. Perhaps the real problem isn’t who’s spending, but who’s spending smartly.

Well, spending big isn’t the only factor the clubhouse needs, and it seems like the Dodgers have unlocked a secret recipe that has made their team unstoppable so far.

Talent, culture and infrastructure: The 3 pillars of the Dodgers’ dominance

It’s not only about spending a lot of money that makes the LA Dodgers so good right now; it’s also about constructing wisely. Andrew Friedman has led the club to strengthen a structure that combines a lot of resources with good scouting, effective player development, and a deep organization. As one recent study pointed out, “when [Friedman] gets it wrong, his mistakes don’t sting as much because of his roster’s overall depth.”

The Dodgers can handle injuries, slumps, or signings that make people wonder without falling apart. Manager Dave Roberts summed up their culture of resilience by saying, “a very talented group, but … also a very focused and very hungry group. … We mind the little things. We’re hungry.” This way of thinking, together with a robust infrastructure, is what makes them different from other high-spending clubs.

This approach is reflected in the roster assembly. Los Angeles acquired players like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman because they could offer what their former teams wouldn’t. These additions are not just about big names; they contribute to a broader strategy where role players and young talent play a key role.

The Dodgers’ success is a mix of heavy investment and efficient management. While large contracts capture attention, it’s primarily the scouting department, minor-league pipeline, and strong accountability that drive their success, BTS. Friedman himself says that the group has “a burning desire to improve on what we do.” The Dodgers are more than just a big-pay club because they are always good at what they do.