LOS ANGELES, CA — The debate over the legitimacy of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dominance intensified when Dodgers President and co-owner Stan Kasten delivered a sharp, unapologetic rebuttal to former NFL star Jason Kelce’s viral claim that the Dodgers “just buy World Series championships.”
After the Dodgers secured their back-to-back World Series titles in 2025, Kelce took to his podcast to slam Major League Baseball, arguing the result was predictable because the Dodgers “spend more money than everybody else.”
Kasten, speaking on the Starkville podcast, did not hold back, emphasizing that sustained MLB success requires far more than money, highlighting the Dodgers’ comprehensive strategy of blending leadership, strategic trades, and elite homegrown talent.
The Rebuttal: Debunking the “Buy” Myth
Kasten’s response focused on three key points that prove the Dodgers’ high payroll is a tool, not a ticket, to the championship:
1. History Disagrees with Kelce
Kasten pointed out that the premise that the highest payroll always wins is historically flawed.
“First of all, history demonstrates that’s not true. Usually the team with the highest payroll doesn’t win the World Series.”
He cited the failure of other high-payroll rivals in 2025, noting that both the New York Mets and New York Yankees also spent over $300 million, yet the Mets missed the playoffs and the Yankees lost in the ALDS. This proves money guarantees a better margin for error, not a championship.
2. The Bryce Harper Burn
Kasten delivered a direct counter-punch using a quote from Kelce’s own city, quoting Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper, who had previously commented on payroll complaints:
“I hate to throw facts at him, but I will throw one quote from someone in his city, and that’s Bryce Harper, who said the only people complaining are losers. I think he’s exactly right.”
This aggressive use of a rival’s star player effectively dismissed Kelce’s criticism as the natural frustration of a losing market.
3. The Cornerstone: Development & Depth
Kasten stressed that the payroll is only effective because it is supported by the organization’s superior talent pipeline and management structure.
“What got us to the position we’re in… was because, yes, we had a high payroll. But those people need to be led and developed, and we need to be backed up by a farm system that is productive year in and year out. Without that, we couldn’t compete.”
Internal sources corroborate Kasten’s defense: the Dodgers’ farm system was recently ranked #1 by MLB.com in August 2025. This depth allows the team to fill holes with cost-controlled talent (like Will Smith, a homegrown MVP finalist) and also gives them the trade chips needed to acquire stars without crippling their future.
The message is clear: the Dodgers’ dominance is the result of using all the tools—money, development, and smart leadership—a blend that high-payroll rivals have failed to replicate.
