The Los Angeles Dodgers have dominated the offseason, investing nearly $500 million to strengthen their 2024 World Series-winning roster. With blockbuster additions like Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, they have built a team widely regarded as the favorites to represent the National League again in the Fall Classic.
Despite this, Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson remains confident that his team is built to compete.
“We’ll match up fine,” he said on an appearance on “The Phillies Show.”
The Phillies, coming off one of their best regular seasons in franchise history, had more All-Stars in 2024 than any other team. Though they haven’t spent at the same level as Los Angeles, they still carry a $279 million payroll, headlined by Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Zack Wheeler.
Thomson acknowledges that the Dodgers have constructed a roster filled with high-profile talent, but he believes Philadelphia’s lineup, rotation, and bullpen match up well against them.
He points out that even with their depth, the Dodgers can only put nine players on the field and one starting pitcher on the mound each game, meaning the advantage may not be as overwhelming as it seems.
While some in the league have called for a salary cap in response to the Dodgers’ massive spending, the Phillies focus on their strengths rather than dwelling on Los Angeles’ financial resources.
Philadelphia expects to be a legitimate contender in 2025 with a deep and talented roster. It sees a potential NLCS showdown with the Dodgers as a challenge they are ready to embrace.