Diamondbacks ace reacts to Dodgers' 'crazy' spending spree

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a stunning run to the World Series in October. Still, they won't be the favorites to win their own division once the 2024 campaign starts after the Los Angeles Dodgers went on an offseason spending spree for the ages. 

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen acknowledged that fact – along with the added pressure that comes with success – during a recent appearance on the "Wolf and Luke" show on Arizona Sports radio. 

"I think we're gonna have a little more of an expectation on us for sure because of what we did last year," Gallen said. 

Regarding the big, bad Dodgers, Gallen admitted that he wasn't surprised they landed two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani but described the rest of their offseason as "kind of crazy." 

Along with Ohtani, the Dodgers inked Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $375 million deal shortly after trading for and extending starter Tyler Glasnow ($136.5 million). Factoring in Ohtani's massive j10-year, $700 million contract, the Dodgers have committed to spending roughly a billion dollars on improving their roster. 

Despite the bold moves, Gallen believes his squad can compete and build off what they accomplished last season as perpetual underdogs. 

"A lot of people probably still think what we did last year was a fluke and I can almost guarantee you that everyone in our clubhouse doesn't feel that way," Gallen said. "I think on mass scale, people are probably still counting us out." 

Gallen is right to be confident. Not only does the team have several returning standouts like emerging hurler Brandon Pfaadt and slugger Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (with whom they re-upped), but they've also been active this offseason. 

While not on the level of the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks have added third baseman Eugenio Suarez and lefty reliever Eduardo Rodriguez. General manager Mike Hazen recently indicated that they still have their eye on an outfielder or designated hitter, with J.D. Martinez and Justin Turner on their radar, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.