As the Dodgers face criticism for their massive payroll, Kiké Hernández defends the team’s commitment to winning ahead of looming CBA negotiations.
The tension in the Dodgers’ clubhouse is palpable. even as the team celebrates a season that brought them the second-best record in baseball. With a luxury tax payroll exceeding $420 million—a figure higher than the bottom four league spenders combined—the organization has become the primary target for those pushing for a salary cap. As rumors of a 2027 lockout swirl. the players are bracing for a fight. and Kiké Hernández is making it clear that they will not be backing down.
“Whenever things like a CBA come around. there always has to be a bad guy in order for the opposition to want to change things. ” Hernández said. “And we just happen to be the ones to blame, at this point. Obviously, probably well-deserved, because of the way the last couple of years have gone. Especially with the spending.”.
That spending—which includes the major acquisition of Kyle Tucker and the trade for Tarik Skubal—has fueled the team’s drive for a third consecutive World Series title and a fourth in seven seasons. While Shohei Ohtani’s season was plagued by injuries, the team has navigated the financial landscape with tactical precision. They have avoided the trap of taking on excessive bad contracts. opting instead to bolster their roster with both high-profile talent and a pipeline of affordable. internal prospects like Josue De Paula. Even the deferred money in Ohtani’s record-breaking contract. while criticized by some. remained entirely within the bounds of the existing rules.
For Hernández, the criticism ignores the fundamental purpose of owning a professional sports franchise. He views the team’s massive investment as a standard others should strive to meet rather than a problem that requires a legislative fix.
“If you own a team. it would make sense that you’re trying to make that team the best possible. in order to win. ” Hernández said. “Because if not, you’re just treating the team as a stock. And why would you want to compete against other people if you’re just trying to make money?. Sell the team to somebody who actually wants to compete and win.”.
Beyond the Dodgers’ payroll. the reality of Major League Baseball’s economy suggests that the lack of competitiveness in other markets is a choice rather than a necessity. Of all the owners currently in the league. only two—Cincinnati’s Bob Castellini at $400 million and Colorado’s Dick Monfort at $700 million—have a net worth under $1 billion.
Since 2018, the Dodgers have consistently maintained a payroll above $200 million, with the sole exception being the shortened 2020 campaign. This pattern of sustained investment has clearly positioned them as the face of the debate over league-wide spending limits. While they sit at the center of the impending labor struggle. the players view the situation as a simple conflict between those prioritizing a championship and those treating the sport as an asset to be managed for profit.
Kiké Hernández Los Angeles Dodgers MLB lockout CBA negotiations Shohei Ohtani Kyle Tucker Tarik Skubal MLB payroll luxury tax