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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Los Angeles Dodgers' high-spending offseason has drawn complaints from many about the lack of parity in baseball.
Within the industry, however, many players are loathe to complain about a team — even a rival organization — investing as much in player payroll as the Dodgers have. Their Opening Day payroll topped $328 million; for purposes of Major League Baseball's competitive balance tax, it topped $400 million.
Although Phillies fans might not love it — particularly with Philadelphia hosting Los Angeles this weekend — star Bryce Harper isn't buying the hate.
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"I don't know if people will like this," Harper told reporters Friday, including Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, "but I feel like only losers complain about what they're doing. I think they're a great team. They're a great organization."
Harper, a Las Vegas native, nearly signed with the Dodgers in 2019 before agreeing to a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies.
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Since then, he's more than demonstrated his loyalty to his new city. Harper has led the Phillies to three consecutive postseason appearances, including a run to the 2022 World Series. He even got a tattoo of the Phillie Phanatic, the team's mascot, riding his signature scooter.
The Dodgers have won two World Series since losing out on Harper. After defeating the Tampa Bay Rays to cap the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Dodgers vanquished the New York Yankees last October to claim the franchise's eighth championship.
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The Dodgers are off to an 8-0 start on the verge of their first series against the Phillies this season. For their part, the Phillies are looking to defend their first National League East title since 2011. They're off to a 5-1 start.
Harper, 32, is a two-time MVP, eight-time All-Star, and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner in his 14-year career. As one of the faces of baseball, he's built enough public capital in Philadelphia and beyond to speak his mind about the state of the game.
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It's also fitting that a prominent player would lay the groundwork for what's expected to be a bitter fight between the MLB Players' Association and the league over a potential salary cap, when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires after the 2026 season.
While Phillies fans might not want to hear Harper praise a rival team, his remarks Friday might not have been directed so much at fans as small-market owners who will wield the threat of a salary cap as a way to contain the Dodgers' spending.
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