Padres' Manny Machado says Dodgers' spending 'great for the game'

"The Dodgers continued their spending spree this winter, pushing their payroll to approximately $400 million. Their signings included Kyle Tucker, the best hitter on the market, to a four-year, $240 million contract. Meanwhile, the Padres signed low-cost players just this past week when they brought in pitchers German Marquez and Griffin Canning to go along with outfielder Nick Castellanos, whose $20 million salary is being paid for by the Philadelphia Phillies."

"Instead of asking for a more balanced financial playing field between markets, Machado would just rather everyone spend like the Dodgers than rein them in. "I think every team has the ability to do it," Machado said. "I hope all 30 teams learn from that." As players and owners gear up for labor negotiations to begin next month, many players are being asked if what the Dodgers are doing -- gobbling up many of the good players every winter -- is good for the game."

""I love what the Dodgers do, obviously. I mean, they pay the money, they spend the money," Phillies star Bryce Harper told reporters in Florida. "I mean, they're a great team. They run their team like a business, and they run it the right way. "Each team in baseball has an opportunity to do the same thing. Maybe not at the upper echelon of money, but they can draft, they can develop, they can trade."

The Dodgers raised payroll to roughly $400 million and signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million deal, reinforcing a high-spending approach. The Padres added lower-cost pitchers German Marquez and Griffin Canning and acquired Nick Castellanos with his $20 million salary covered by the Phillies. Manny Machado said he would prefer all teams emulate the Dodgers' spending rather than seek spending limits. Bryce Harper praised the Dodgers’ financial commitment and roster construction while noting other teams can draft, develop, and trade. San Diego previously made multiple large commitments but now ranks sixth in spending. Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes credited ownership support and focus on goals.

Read at ESPN.com