Dodgers Get High Praise From NL West Rival: ‘You Want Teams Like That’
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the team to beat in the 2025 season. That comes as no surprise, and that was the case last season, as well. All eyes will be on Los Angeles all year long.
The Dodgers finished the job after a National League Division Series scare and cruised their way to a World Series title. However, the Dodgers were not complacent with one title. L.A. is looking to fill up its trophy case, and that was evident with another stellar offseason.
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The Dodgers went big this offseason, spending over $450 million. L.A. is making sure they have everything and more to repeat as champions. Teams and players are taking notice, induing the Arizona Diamondbacks’ newest ace, All-Star Corbin Burnes.
Burnes spoke to Bob Nightengale of USA Today and praised the Dodgers’ willingness to spend this past offseason.
“As a player that wants everyone in this game to make as much money as they can,” Burnes said, “you want teams like that. They go out and win. They make money, and then they turn around and they give it to their players.
“It’s always refreshing to see when you see an ownership group that wants to put the money they’re making back into the team. The Dodgers obviously have done well the last couple of years and put the money back into the team and got a World Series.”
Burnes joined the Dodgers’ National League West rivals this past offseason, signing a six-year, $210 million contract in late December. The deal was the richest in franchise history, surpassing former Dodgers ace Zack Greinke’s six-year, $206.5 million deal signed in December 2015.
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The Diamondbacks knew the only way they could compete with the Dodgers on the field was if they could spend big money off of it. The addition of Burnes means a lot to Arizona, especially in their quest to not only derail the Dodgers’ chances, but aid their own championship hopes.
Still, the Burnes addition may not be enough — only time will tell. In the meantime, Burnes just wishes the Dodgers were not in his division.
“So, it’s good to see,” he said. “I just wish they weren’t in our division.”
The Diamondbacks would be the favorite to win the division if it weren’t for the Dodgers.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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I obviously understand Corbin Burnes perspective, and respect it, but I see it almost opposite. I think the game of baseball, the Game, not individuals or their performance was better when players were paid less, often had to take a job in the offseason to make ends meet, but a family of 4 could go out to a game without taking out a second mortgage on the house. Early 70’s I think Dodgers bleacher seats were a buck. Ok, inflation. Fair enough. Lets say a factor of 8, which is probably more than the official rate, and you’ve got $8 seats. Lets round up to $10. Uh, is that what seats are going for now? I don’t think so. Box seats, again, IIRC, were on the order of 5-6-7. So… 40-50-60 now? Maybe… maybe not. I’ve read Dodgers seats are the 2nd most expensive somewhere around $170 average per seat. I think the game of Baseball would be better if the highest paid players were on the order of $1M a year, instead of what, 30+ per year. Well, and if ticket prices were reflective of that.
Yes, the level of play is better, offense, defense, pitching, yes, it’s all better. But is the game better? The competition, the interplay, the drama of a runner on third with one out? I don’t think so. But if regular middle class people, working class, even under that in numbers at least occasionally can’t afford to see a game, I think the game is poorer for it.
Are all my rants going to change things? Or course not! But the game is diminished because of money.
The essence of the game is the drama, the competition, the runner on third. The ace pitcher tiring, but still getting it done.
I’m a Dodgers fan, have been for 60+ years. I want them to win, but it’s no fun if they or anyone else runs away with it. The game is about competition more than excellence. Great play is good, but the excitement, the drama, is about the competition.