How come Dodgers are not “best team money can buy?”

Deadspin thinks otherwise

Good morning, all! I hope your week is going well.

Remember when the New York Yankees were referred to as the "Evil Empire" or the "Best Team Money Can Buy," for shelling out millions to buy World Series? How come the Los Angeles Dodgers aren't referred to as the Evil Empire? Don't they shell out millions each season to buy a World Series championship? The best team a global services financial firm can buy is attempting to become MLB's first repeat World Series winner since the New York Yankees, although the record should show the Yankees repeated in back-to-back 162-game seasons. The Dodgers haven't won a World Series title in a 162-game season since 1988. But I digress.

Leave it to the website Deadspin to throw a monkey wrench into the Dodgers' narrative. When the Dodgers swooped in an acquired future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer and All-Star infielder Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals, just as it appeared the Nats and San Diego Padres had a deal for Scherzer, it was the organization's prospects and deep pockets that enabled the deal. Imagine if the New York Yankees tried to do the same thing to repeat as champions?

The Dodgers have now positioned themselves to win a World Series every year, with savvy baseball executives and deep pockets. But it is the bottomless money well that will enable the Dodgers to once again smash the luxury tax threshold and cover mistakes made by said executives - see Trevor Bauer. Meanwhile, the club's blueprint of assuming other teams high-priced talent and doing all that it takes to win will not only create more Tampa Bay rooters but make it awfully difficult to label the New York Yankees the "Evil Empire." 

The Yankees may have their travails, but the franchise has made a genuine effort to build a productive farm system and stay under the luxury tax. They have stuck to a blueprint and adopted a sane personality that would have never happened under their late owner, George M. Steinbrenner. Should the Yankees make a run and somehow win it all - and their prospects have changed for the better with smart trades and an upward movement in the standings - there is no way they can be labeled the "Evil Empire" or the "Best team money can buy." To accuse them of such and not point a finger at the Dodgers would make such an argument laughable. The story-line, much to the detriment of Yankee haters, has changed. The "dem' Bums" Dodgers, are as far removed from that description as the franchise is from Brooklyn.

Watch out for August

The month of August should be interesting for baseball. Under normal circumstances - a 162-game campaign - seasoned baseball people have always fretted August. That was when pitching staffs started to break down and the wear-and-tear of a long season began to take its toll on everyday players. Only the strong survived. It has always been that way, even though more effort has been made to rest the regulars and treat pitchers like porcelain dolls. 

August is when the New York Giants started their miracle run and overtook the Brooklyn Dodgers to win the 1951 pennant. August is when the New York Yankees began their sprint from 14 1/2 games out to knock down the Boston Red Sox and go on to win the 1978 World Series. 

This August may be even more precipitous. All of the players are coming off of a 60-game season, shortened by the pandemic. Minor league players called up to the majors this season, didn't even play in 2020. And no amount of work outs can replace the actual competition of a season. What will the after affects be? We will soon find out, but if we see more teams tumble in the standings and prolonged slumps by players, do not be surprised. August, a most unforgiving month, could be the most unforgiving of all in 2021.

The future is now

I don't know if you read where Barstool Sports is now getting in the bowl business. Say what? The website and now media entity has acquired the rights to stream college football's Arizona Bowl. And one look at the story is enough to realize another step has been taken to change the paradigm of how we consume our sports. You can be sure more stream-only games are on the horizon.

Well that is it for today. Have a terrific week and thank you for your support. 

SPORTSCASTER DAN