The narrative that the Los Angeles Dodgers are ruining baseball quickly emerged as a topic of discussion this offseason. After winning the World Series in October, the Dodgers headlined the winter by signing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell.

The blockbuster move signaled the defending champions were preparing to build another championship roster. Adding Snell to the rotation was just one of several signings that fortified the roster.

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As baseball fans grew angrier with each Dodgers’ signing, the L.A. organization was being compared to the Evil Empire. However, Snell dismissed that notion at DodgerFest Saturday.

“I don’t look at us as villains,” said Snell. “I look at us as a team that wants to win. If any other teams or fan bases want to get upset, you know what to do: Follow what the Dodgers are doing.”

Before the Dodgers won the World Series in 2024, the team had a completely different reputation.

“Chokers!”

“Mickey Mouse ring!”

“Can’t win in a full season.”

There were several nicknames the Dodgers had, and none of them pertained to winning. Once the Dodgers won a ‘legitimate’ ring in 2024 and continued to find success in the offseason, the narrative quickly changed.

Baseball fans have groaned and grumbled about the Dodgers ruining the sport; however, team president Stan Kasten also dismissed the narrative.

“And, on the entertainment side, which is what we are, it’s really good when there is one team beloved by their fans, who come out in record numbers, leading all of baseball in attendance, while that same team can be hated and lead baseball in road attendance. That’s a win-win for baseball,” Kasten said.

“And this is also really contributing to the enhanced globalization of central baseball around the world. So it’s a win-win-win. This is really good for baseball. I have no question about it.”

While many fans may be unhappy with the Dodgers’ assertive efforts this winter, they should instead be wondering why their teams have failed to replicate L.A.’s success. Rather than being villains, the Dodgers look like heroes as they form a team that has the potential to be as popular and powerful at the New York Yankees in the Murderer’s Row era.

That’s at least the way starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow looks at the 2025 Dodgers.

“It’s like the Avengers,” Glasnow said. “It’s the best team I’ve ever been on.”

Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images