The Dodgers are making waves in the MLB, and they’re doing it with a big splash of cash. Over the last couple of years, this Los Angeles powerhouse has become synonymous with sky-high spending, igniting conversation about whether they’re “ruining baseball” or simply setting a new bar.

The moment that turned heads everywhere was the signing of Shohei Ohtani to a jaw-dropping 10-year, $700 million deal. A lot of the money for this record-breaking contract is deferred, but it’s still a figure that’s hard to ignore.

And Ohtani wasn’t alone. That same offseason, the Dodgers welcomed Tyler Glasnow with open arms (and a hefty five-year, $136.5 million contract).

But they didn’t stop there. The following offseason, they snagged Cy Young winner Blake Snell with a five-year, $182 million deal.

Then came extensions for talented players like Tommy Edman, who signed for five years at $74 million, and reliever Tanner Scott, who inked a four-year, $72 million contract. They even added outfielder Teoscar Hernández with a solid three-year, $66 million agreement.

But perhaps the most intriguing addition to the roster was the young Japanese sensation, Roki Sasaki. Choosing the Dodgers despite only receiving the league minimum in base salary, Sasaki’s choice highlights the Dodgers’ alluring organizational draw.

These new superstars are joining a roster already glittering with former MVP jewels like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Betts is playing under a $365 million deal, while Freeman’s contract holds a $162 million price tag.

It’s clear—the Dodgers have been opening their wallet wide. And not everyone is thrilled about it.

The sheer magnitude of their expenditure stirs unease among teams without similar financial muscle. Yet, there’s at least one major voice in baseball who isn’t crying foul: Bryce Harper.

As the Phillies gear up to face the Dodgers in a three-game series set to kick off on Friday, Harper spoke up boldly. Brushing aside concerns about the Dodgers’ spending, Harper said, “I feel like only losers complain about what they’re doing.

They’re a great team. They’re a great organization, and that’s why guys wanna go there and play.”

Harper’s candor might not come as a shock to those familiar with his situation. After all, he’s part of an equally lavish spending machine in Philadelphia.

Last season, the Phillies ranked fourth in MLB payrolls, dishing out nearly $250 million, trailing only the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets. On a 13-year, $333 million deal himself, Harper certainly knows a thing or two about high-stakes contracts.

With six Phillies players set to earn over $20 million in 2025—led by Zack Wheeler’s hefty $42 million—Harper is right at home in the conversation surrounding big-money baseball.

In the grand scheme, what the Dodgers and Phillies are showing isn’t just about the finances—it’s about the allure of ambition, the draw of potential championship glory, and the magnetic pull of storied franchises setting high aspirations. While debates will continue about the impact of such financial flexing, one thing is certain: baseball’s top spenders are creating a narrative that has the entire league watching.