The Los Angeles Dodgers are already a powerhouse in Major League Baseball, but their potential moves to sign super-hitter Juan Soto and Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki could further tilt the league’s competitive balance. Such acquisitions could solidify the Dodgers as an unstoppable force, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the sport’s parity and its overall appeal.
A Stellar Roster
Coming off a World Series win despite injuries to key pitchers, the Dodgers have already bolstered their rotation by signing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to a $182 million contract. Adding Soto, one of the league’s best hitters, and Sasaki, a generational talent on the mound, would create a lineup and pitching corps unmatched in modern baseball.
Juan Soto, a consistently MVP-caliber player, would improve an already formidable batting order. Meanwhile, Sasaki, whose dominance in Japan has drawn comparisons to Shohei Ohtani, would provide the Dodgers with an additional ace, making their rotation nearly impenetrable.
A Superteam in the Formation
While baseball traditionally prides itself on its unpredictability and relatively level playing field, the Dodgers’ ability to amass elite talent threatens to usher in an era of superteams. Jon Heyman, in a recent column, pointed out the potential downsides of such dominance: “The Dodgers have looked a level or three above everyone else since signing Snell. Adding Soto and Sasaki would push them completely over the edge.”
Compared to other sports leagues with harsher salary caps or tax penalties, MLB allows wealthier franchises like the Dodgers to spend freely, giving them an advantage that smaller-market teams simply can’t match.
The Problem of Equality
Baseball has long relied on its mix of large- and small-market teams to maintain fan interest across the league. Competitive imbalance could alienate fans of less well-resourced franchises, creating a dynamic in which only a few teams have a realistic chance of competing.
Critics argue that such dominance could hurt MLB’s growth. “Baseball thrives on the idea that any team can win,” one analyst explained. “If the Dodgers monopolize all the top talent, it risks becoming a predictable spectacle rather than an engaging competition.”
A Way To Follow
While the Dodgers’ moves make them the clear favorites, they also raise questions about how MLB can maintain competitive fairness. Ideas such as tougher tax penalties or an international draft have been proposed to curb spending disparities, although implementation remains controversial.
For now, the potential arrival of Soto and Sasaki in Los Angeles could mark the beginning of a new chapter in MLB history—one dominated by superteams and unprecedented concentrations of talent.
