Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies’ star first baseman, understands that the path to a long-awaited World Series victory likely runs through the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. However, he’s not intimidated by the challenge and has no qualms about either team’s massive spending. “I think it’s great for the players,” Harper said to reporters on Sunday. FanGraphs estimates the Dodgers’ payroll at $389 million, closely followed by the Mets at $331 million, both teams employing deferred payments in their contracts.
The Dodgers, fresh off their second World Series title in five years, continued their aggressive moves, adding two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, and relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates for nearly $70 million annually. The Mets, coming off their first NLCS appearance since 2015, made waves by signing All-Star outfielder Juan Soto to an eye-popping 15-year, $765 million contract. They also retained power hitter Pete Alonso and starter Sean Manaea. Harper reflected on the moves, noting, “You expect [the Dodgers] to go out and do those things, just like the Yankees did in the 2000s. It’s the kind of team they are.” He added, “They get guys that defer money and do things the right way. … The Mets are doing the same thing.”
Despite some fans and analysts calling for a fix to the growing disparity in spending, Harper sees these massive payrolls as a positive. For comparison, the Miami Marlins, who are rebuilding, have a payroll of just $70 million, more than $300 million less than the Dodgers. Harper, on the other hand, is supporting the idea of teams spending to compete. The Phillies’ payroll, estimated at around $288 million, is among the higher ones in the league, and the team has made the postseason three years in a row. Seven Phillies, including Harper, are earning at least $20 million this season, with veteran Zack Wheeler leading the charge at $42 million after signing a three-year, $126 million extension last spring. The question now is whether Harper, Wheeler, and the rest of the Phillies can deliver on their hefty contracts and bring home the franchise’s first championship since 2008.
