As the Philadelphia Phillies prepared to host the first game of a weekend series against Los Angeles on Friday, Bryce Harper had pointed words for those critical of the Dodgers for spending big bucks to build a championship roster.
“I feel like only losers complain about what they’re doing,” Harper said to reporters regarding the Dodgers, who have followed up last season’s World Series title by starting 8-0 this season. “I think they’re a great team, they’re a great organization, that’s why guys want to go there and play. L.A. is a great city to play in, obviously. They’re at the mecca of the world of everything from food to nightlife to sports from the Dodgers to the Lakers to anybody.
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“They’re going to continue to get guys. They’re going to continue to pull guys from this sport. If that’s bullpen, starting pitching, international players, anything like that, they’re doing what the Dodgers do.”
After committing more than $1 billion to sign players in the winter of 2023, the Dodgers committed more than $450 million to salaries this offseason. The Dodgers’ $331.3 million in 40-man payroll is the highest in baseball, according to Cot’s Contracts. It’s more than what the White Sox ($74.8M), Athletics ($78M), Pirates ($91.3M) and Marlins ($69.8M) have committed combined.
The Dodgers and Phillies are scheduled to play three games this weekend, with Los Angeles looking to extend its historic start to the 2025 campaign. No other defending champion has won its first eight games of the season.
(Top photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
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