Dodgers Fan Favorite Free Agent Goes Off on Fans Complaining MLB Needs Salary Cap

Valentina Martinez | Jan 19, 2025

Jul 28, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (99) reactss after delivering a pitch against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images / Erik Williams-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed the crown jewel of the 2025 international class, Roki Sasaki, and the top available reliever in the free agent class, Tanner Scott, in the span of a weekend.

More news: Dodgers Continue Strong Offseason, Sign Reliever Tanner Scott

The Dodgers' success has led to an outcry from many baseball fans. The idea that the Dodgers have ruined baseball was born.

Dodgers free agent reliever Joe Kelly, who is known for being outspoken, sounded off on the critics. Kelly explained why a salary cap in MLB isn't sensible.

“Let’s say Shohei Ohtani could only make $10,” Kelly said on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast. “The whole entire league could pay Shohei Ohtani $10. He is coming from Japan. Growing up, watching movies – and if you just do a quick Google search, ‘best places to visit when you’re going to America’ – Minnesota is not popping up, Pittsburgh is not popping up, Milwaukee is not popping up.

Emergency podcast: Joe Kelly has a message to all those whining about the Dodgers.
Listen: https://t.co/MjpVlOBYQe pic.twitter.com/3JQzkAhOG1

— Baseball Isn’t Boring (@BBisntBoring) January 19, 2025

“Why the f--- would he be like, ‘oh, I’m going to make $10 in Milwaukee.’ That’s the problem with the (salary) floor and the (salary) cap that people don’t understand,” Kelly continued. “Even if every team could pay him $10, he’s going to go to the team, number 1, which is a great destination to be at. Number 2, you have to show him what separates (your team) at that point.”

In spite of the outside noise, the Dodgers organization continues to operate a high level. While many baseball fans are upset with the Dodgers, their teams sit back and do nothing.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman warned baseball fans the Dodgers would be very busy this winter.

“My goal is to not buy in July,” Friedman said. “I am setting that out there right now. My goal is to do everything we can right now to not buy in July. It is terrible.”

Following the acquisition of Scott, the Dodgers have solidified their roster. The bullpen is sound. The starting rotation is scary. The lineup is baffling.

There's no question the Dodgers have put a target on themselves, but other teams should wonder if staying in their old same ways will help them topple the reigning World Series champions.

More news: MLB Insider Isn't Sure Dodgers Bring Back Clayton Kershaw This Offseason