The Los Angeles Dodgers are frequently criticized for their extensive spending, a charge that resurfaced after their acquisition of two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. However, former All-Star pitcher Shane Greene contends that this focus overlooks a more significant factor: the organization's ability to enhance player performance once they join the team.
"Coming from somebody who’s been in that locker room, they’re doing the opposite of ruining baseball," Greene said. "They’re actually making it better."
Greene, who pitched for five MLB organizations over a 10-year career, including the Dodgers in 2021, stated that the Dodgers' advantage lies not just in their financial resources but in their advanced player development system. He noted that the team is adept at quickly identifying players' flaws, communicating them effectively, and translating that information into tangible results on the field.
"The Dodgers do it the best," Greene said. "They give you the most information, and they translate that information the best."
Greene shared an experience from his brief stint with the Dodgers where the organization identified that he had been unintentionally revealing his slider grip for three seasons. Shortly after his arrival, staff members provided him with visual evidence demonstrating the subtle differences in his delivery when throwing his changeup compared to his fastball. While Greene's performance in those limited innings did not drastically change, the diagnosis itself highlighted the organization's keen eye for detail and its ability to uncover issues that may have been missed by previous teams.
This pattern of player improvement is not unique to Greene. Tyler Anderson joined the Dodgers with a career record of 29-38 and an ERA of 4.62. After the Dodgers adjusted his changeup grip, he achieved a 15-5 record with a 2.57 ERA in 2022, earning his first All-Star selection. Similarly, Evan Phillips arrived as a waiver claim with a 7.26 career ERA. The Dodgers helped him refine his slider into a sweeper and added a sinker and cutter, leading to a 2.21 ERA and 44 saves over 179 innings from 2022 to 2024.
Ryan Brasier also saw a turnaround after struggling with Boston in 2023, posting a 7.29 ERA. Encouraged by the Dodgers to add a cutter, he recorded a 0.70 ERA in 39 appearances. Another example is Anthony Banda, who had played for 11 organizations before assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness altered his slider grip within 24 hours. According to FanGraphs, hitters subsequently batted just .147 against that pitch over two seasons, with a 42.2% whiff rate.
The benefits extend beyond pitchers. Max Muncy transformed from an overlooked player with the Athletics into a two-time All-Star and a significant contributor to the Dodgers' postseason success. Players like Justin Turner and Chris Taylor also evolved from acquisitions who were not widely scouted into key members of championship teams.
While acknowledging the Dodgers' substantial financial investment in their roster, Greene argued that reducing their success solely to payroll ignores the organization's consistent ability to develop and improve players. He suggested that rival fans might find a more productive outlet for their frustration by examining why their own teams are not achieving similar player development successes.