Don’t hate on the Dodgers for perfecting an imperfect system
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The Los Angeles Dodgers exemplify a successful franchise built on smart decisions and leveraging financial advantages, enabling them to consistently compete for championships by outbidding other teams for key players like Kyle Tucker.
- MLB remains unique among major sports leagues by lacking a salary cap, leading to significant payroll disparities that fuel calls for reform but also complicate collective bargaining, as players strongly oppose salary caps due to past labor conflicts.
- Despite financial imbalances, baseball’s competitive nature endures through the randomness of short postseason series and strategic roster management, exemplified by the Dodgers’ deep lineup and innovative use of pitchers.
- The Dodgers’ success combines financial power with savvy acquisitions and player development, capitalizing on market inefficiencies and rival teams’ mistakes, while other teams
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