The Los Angeles Dodgers are already a force in Major League Baseball, but their potential signings of superstar slugger Juan Soto and Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki could shift the league’s competitive balance even further. Such signings could cement the Dodgers as an unstoppable force and raise concerns about the long-term impact on equity and the sport’s overall appeal.
A star-studded squad
Fresh off a World Series win that came 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. The addition of Soto, one of the league’s best hitters, and Sasaki, a generational talent on the mound, would create a lineup and pitching staff unparalleled in modern baseball.
Juan Soto, a consistent MVP-worthy player, would improve an already formidable batting order. Meanwhile, Sasaki, whose dominance in Japan drew comparisons to Shohei Ohtani, would provide the Dodgers with another ace pitcher, making their rotation nearly impenetrable.
A super team in the making
While baseball has traditionally prided itself on unpredictability and a relatively even playing field, the Dodgers’ ability to stack elite talent threatens to usher in an era of superteams. Jon Heyman pointed out the potential downsides of such dominance in a recent column: “The Dodgers look a level or three above everyone else since they signed Snell. Adding Soto and Sasaki would catapult them to the top.”
Unlike other sports leagues with salary caps or stricter luxury 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 parity problem
Baseball has long relied on its mix of large and small market teams to maintain fan interest across the league. A competitive imbalance could alienate fans of less-resourced franchises and create a dynamic in which few teams have a realistic chance of competing for the title.
Critics argue that such dominance could harm MLB’s growth. “Baseball thrives on the idea that any team can win,” explained one analyst. “If the Dodgers monopolize all the top talent, it risks turning into a predictable spectacle rather than a compelling contest.”
A way forward
While the Dodgers’ decisions would make them the clear favorites, they also raise questions about how MLB can maintain competitive fairness. Ideas such as tougher luxury tax penalties or an international draft have been proposed to curb spending discrepancies, 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.
