Brandon Gomes not fazed by Manny Machado, praise for Bryce Harper

Once again, the Los Angeles Dodgers are at the forefront of baseball’s financial debate, but general manager Brandon Gomes maintains that outside accolades have little impact. As the Dodgers prepare for the 2026 season with a payroll approaching $400 million, rival stars Manny Machado and Brice Harper publicly welcomed the organization’s aggressive spending.

Gomez addressed those comments Monday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. Dodgers recent addition Kyle Tucker pushed payroll to historic levels and intensified conversations around the league. Machado called the spending model great for the game, while Harper praised the franchise for running it like a business.

Nevertheless, Gomes emphasized that validation is not coming from a division rival or contender in the National League. Dodgers Nation shared a video Monday afternoon of the general manager responding to the attention on his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account.

“We’re not looking for external validation. Validation is winning championships and providing the best possible teams every year.”

Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes reacts to Manny Machado and Brice Harper praising the team’s historic spending:

“We’re not looking for external validation. Validation is winning championships and providing the best possible teams every year.” pic.twitter.com/v7ZTESAacL

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) February 16, 2026

That answer encapsulates the Dodgers’ philosophy entering 2026. The general manager acknowledged the spotlight, but shifted his focus to championships. For him, the only metric that matters is October success, not compliments from Machado or Harper.

The context extends beyond rivalry dynamics. With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire in December 2026, player leaders pointed to Dodgers payroll as proof that high consumption can be sustainable. Machado and Harper’s remarks appeared as spring training opened throughout Arizona and Florida, which further fueled the discussion of competitive balance and financial strategy.

However, the Dodgers seem to be immune to this outside narrative. While the acquisition of Kyle Tucker raised expectations, Gomes reaffirmed the importance of winning the championship. By defining validation strictly through headlines, he raised internal expectations rather than accepting external approval.

As the season approaches, the Dodgers carry both financial weight and competitive pressure. Gomez’s response signals a singular focus. Praise from Machado and Harper may dominate the headlines, but within the organization, success is measured in championships — not comments.