For decades, the New York Yankees were the gold standard of Major League Baseball. Even for those who didn’t follow the sport, the iconic “NY” logo was impossible to miss out on. And for decades, the Yankees were known to be the big spenders. George Steinbrenner was known to have that charm to sway and get all the big players in pinstripes. There are historic contracts like Alex Rodriguez’s $275 million deal. It had cemented them as a financial juggernaut, and also, for players, wearing pinstripes was a thing of pride. A-Rod was a shortstop, but just to be in the Bronx Bombers, he moved to third base. However, times have now changed. Now it’s the Los Angeles Dodgers who are calling the shots.

Dodgers now wear the crown when it comes to spending big. Last season their $700 million payout for Shohei Ohtani had everyone shell-shocked. How can they pay so much for one player? But well, if one takes a calculated risk, it is only when things move ahead. As for the $700 million, the Dodgers have earned it in manifold ways.

Forbes had listed on their website that the Dodgers were valued at $4.8 billion last year. Guess how much they are valued now after Ohtani? Well, it’s at $5.5 billion—an exact $700 million jump. And they made all that amount in one year. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees ended up losing the big name they were pursuing for the entire off-season to whom? Their cross-town rivals? Someone they call their younger brother!

However, it’s not like New York is sitting on wallets. They have spent $280 million on payroll with marquee names like Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt. But when you hear of the high-profile acquisitions by the Dodgers, the pinstripes fall in companies. The Dodgers have locked in Blake Snell, and as if the pitching lineup was not already solid with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei, they even got in Roki Sasaki. This has LA fans excited, but for other teams and their fans, it’s just another reason to envy this growing dynasty.

The Dodgers now have the “evil empire” tag in MLB. They are known as a team that is only getting bigger and better each day. But well, they aren’t careless; they are calculated. The Yankees, meanwhile, as a team, seem to be playing it safe. They don’t have an appetite to spend as much as the Dodgers. Plus, the Los Angeles Dodgers are smart, and they are spreading their wings in Japan, getting endorsement money from big establishments there. Not to forget a major reason they are able to spend a lot is because they have a 25-year, $8 billion TV deal, done about a decade ago. That’s a major reason they have the highest payroll. Meanwhile, the Yankees have no such advantage, and neither do they seem to be trying to spread such wings.

Los Angeles Dodgers, Mets, and Padres are new big spenders

The New York Yankees vs. Dodgers has everyone excited. But are they on the same wavelength? Everyone saw what happened and how brutally it happened when they faced LA in the World Series. As a team, the Yankees are full of veterans. While that gives them an edge, they also need a young bat and zeal in the clubhouse. Something that Juan Soto got, and something they need. Now this advantage is gone to their rivals, the New York Mets.

It’s news Yankee fans don’t like but have to accept and swallow. The fans have long painted Soto as an “evil, selfish, self-centered” person. The one who saw all the perks, whether it’s extra security, a lavish suite, or a jaw-dropping bonus. But then, why wouldn’t he? He had let go of Nationals, a $400 million+ deal, just for this day. Now it shows that the New York Mets and owner Steve Cohen seem to have as much power as the New York Yankees to attract players of Soto’s caliber.

Plus, right now many are even talking about who holds the reins of New York. Back in the day, maybe this debate wouldn’t even have seen the light of day. Not just the Mets, there are the San Diego Padres. Their lineup includes star players like Manny Machado, and Fernando Tatis, and a huge payroll. But by this, does this mean spending huge amounts guarantees success? Not really. But it does make things better. Look at the Dodgers!

For now, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the dominant force. And maybe the “evil empire” tag is not something they would mind. One thing is clear: baseball is now not a one-horse race. The Bronx Bombers may have history, but the Dodgers are already headed to build a bright future.