Former Dodgers pitcher defends L.A.'s spending, calls out other teams

Much has been made in recent weeks about the Dodgers signing free agents such as reliever Tanner Scott, outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and utility man Hyeseong Kim, as well as Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki, to boost a lineup filled with All-Stars and more than $1 billion in deferred money from 2028 to 2046. 

After winning the World Series in 2024, Los Angeles has shown it is willing to spend what it needs to spend to prepare the team for another run at the Fall Classic. Meanwhile, as an example, the San Diego Padres, a team that lost to the Dodgers in the fifth and deciding game of last season's National League Division Series, have made no additions to their MLB roster so far this offseason.

Add to that Scott leaving San Diego for Los Angeles and Sasaki choosing the Dodgers over the Padres and it's clear to see where some teams may be shaking their heads over the Dodgers' moves ... but may also have themselves to blame for the growing divide.

Flaherty appears to agree, adding this after the Dodgers reportedly are close to landing former All-Star reliever Kirby Yates to join the back end of the bullpen. While contract details are not officially known, Yates was predicted to sign a one-year, $14 million deal by MLBTradeRumors.com.

Even though he isn't expected to be back with the Dodgers in 2025, it's clear that Flaherty believes the problem with today's baseball spending lies outside of Chavez Ravine.