Rival execs have nothing but kind (and envious) things to say about Dodgers as lockout looms

The Los Angeles Dodgers are ruining baseball. They're the reason why we face such labor uncertainty and the looming threat of a lockout when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires this December. Or so we've been told.

After two straight World Series championships, the Dodgers need to be considered the heavy favorites to win yet again in 2026. The additions of Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz to what was already a star-studded crew essentially guarantee it.

The gambits like huge signing bonuses, deferred money, and the short-term, massive AAV deal they gave Tucker have some calling for a salary cap. But how does the rest of the league really feel?

According to a report by Bob Nightengale, while the other owners might have issues with how the Dodgers do business (for their own selfish reasons), rival executives, the guys actually tasked with designing rosters to take LA down, have no problem with it. In fact, they speak about them with admiration.

Rival executives don't hate the Dodgers, they want to be them

You'd expect big-market teams to look at the Dodgers with envy and small-market clubs to glare at them with disdain. That's not really how things are, though.

J.J. Picollo is the Kansas City Royals' president of baseball operations. The Royals have spent more in recent years, but mainly to retain their own players like Bobby Witt Jr. via early extensions. Last season, they ranked 17th in baseball with a $180.9 million tax payroll. For reference, the Dodgers came in at $417.3 million, per Spotrac. Here's what Picollo had to say about Los Angeles:

“They’ve done this strategically, and have done it well. They’re capitalizing on things that are perfectly within what’s permitted. What they’re doing is fascinating, and it’s really impressive.’’

Others, like Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto, were even more glowing in their praise. “The Dodgers are unquestionably awesome,’’ Dipoto said. “There are superstars all around the field. They have awesome role players. They have depth everywhere you look. So to have a team like that, and to sustain it, is so impressive."

Many execs compared them to the late 90s New York Yankees dynasties, though the Dodgers spend even more (even when you adjust for the era), and have gotten less direct contributions than those Yankees' teams whose core was homegrown. Still, the praise continues.

If you think anyone would have a negative thing to say, it'd be a division rival, right? However, San Diego Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller was yet another who heaped praise on his nemesis.

"The difference between the Yankees teams and the Dodgers is the financial component of it,’’ Preller said. “I mean, you’re talking over $500 million, and all of the deferrals. So that’s a different level.

“But we understand they’re a great team. They’ve got star players that are impactful. They just set up super high bars. If you want to get to that championship level, you’ve got to get past them.’’

Preller is an aggressive executive in his own right. There might be a bit of jealous admiration in those comments.

The list goes on and on. No one cried foul, and most were impressed with the way the Dodgers have run their business.

The praise layered on by these chief decision makers mirrors comments made by rival players defending the Dodgers in recent years. Perhaps no player has been more outspoken than Bryce Harper, who has gone on record saying that the only people complaining about the Dodgers' spending are losers.

Or maybe it's just the owners. Rival fans, we understand, they're just trying to cope. But if the players are okay with what the Dodgers are doing and the other executives look at Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes with admiration, then why are the other owners against it? Maybe because if their fans realized they could all invest more and still turn a profit, they'd have to settle for slimmer returns overall?

In case the point hasn't become crystal clear yet, let's bottom line this. The Dodgers aren't bad for baseball; the owners who prioritize maximizing profits over maximizing rosters are.