""You're telling me I'm supposed to get excited about a Canadian baseball team and a team who just spends more money than everybody else?" Kelce said. "Who the f- cares about either?" "That's why baseball sucks. You just buy World Series championships... Everybody knew this was going to happen before the season. We just had a bunch of meaningless s- happen before it, then it happened.""
"While the Dodgers did have the highest payroll in MLB last season at $350 million, what Kelce neglects to mention is two other teams also sat above the $300 million mark. The New York Mets missed the playoffs with a $342 million payroll, proving money doesn't translate directly to wins, and the New York Yankees lost in the postseason despite their similarly huge wages. The Philadelphia Phillies sat just below $300 million, and also lost to the Dodgers in the NLDS."
"The Dodgers faced the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series as well, and they were one of just five teams to have a payroll above $250 million. LA's spending plays a part in their success, however their smart decisions in free agency and in trades gave them the edge in the postseason over their rivals. The Dodgers have also done well in player development, with key players like Will Smith and Max Muncy playing a huge role in the Dodgers' Game 7 win."
Los Angeles secured consecutive World Series titles in 2025 through a combination of the highest payroll and strategic roster moves. Criticism arose that heavy spending undermines competitive balance and makes outcomes predictable, with claims that championships are bought rather than earned. Several high-payroll teams failed to translate spending into postseason success: the Mets ($342M) missed the playoffs, the Yankees lost in the postseason, and the Phillies (just under $300M) lost to LA in the NLDS. Toronto also posted a payroll above $250M while reaching the World Series. Smart free-agent signings, trades, and player development— notably contributions from Will Smith and Max Muncy—contributed to LA's edge.
Read at Dodgers Nation
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