MLB's Superteam Myth Unravels as Dodgers Face Challenges
Rewritten Article:
The Unraveling of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Superteam Dream
As the 2025 season heats up, critics across Major League Baseball are quick to claim that the Los Angeles Dodgers are single-handedly ruining the game by assembling an all-star team. Fresh off a World Series win, the Dodgers sought to strengthen their lineup, welcoming Blake Snell, Michael Conforto, Roki Sasaki, Kirby Yates, and Tanner Scott to their already stacked roster.
However, we're now a month into the season, and it's clear that the term "superteam" in baseball is more a figment of imagination than a reality.
Case in point: Monday night's game at Dodger Stadium, pitting the Dodgers (boasting a staggering $400 million roster) against the underdog Miami Marlins, who've managed to make do with a mere $68 million payroll, despite receiving millions annually from revenue sharing.
The Dodgers made a promising start, leading 5-0, but a game-tying Grand Slam from Dane Myers in the top of the 6th inning from relief pitcher Anthony Banda threatened to shake things up.
Despite the Dodgers' eventual victory in extra innings thanks to a Tommy Edman single, Monday's game and the rest of the series demonstrated that even the best-laid plans can quickly unravel.
Apr 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow (31) and first baseman Max Muncy (13) react after Muncy made an out against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
Dodgers' Superteam Crumbling Apart
So, the $68 million Marlins, with their significant budget disadvantage, staged a comeback against the $400 million juggernaut Dodgers, taking a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the 10th inning, only to fall short in the end. Money can't buy everything—and that's just the beginning.
The Dodgers' pitching rotation was supposed to thrive with the addition of Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, two top-notch starting pitchers with impressive strikeout rates.
Unfortunately, that idealistic vision hasn't come to fruition. Barely a month into the season, both Snell and Glasnow find themselves on the injured list, indefinitely sidelined.
Snell made only two starts before suffering a shoulder injury. The team and manager Dave Roberts remain unconcerned, but the recent setback from a bullpen session has raised eyebrows. Glasnow, who worked hard during the offseason to perfect his mechanics, was forced to leave his second most recent start due to cramps, and also pulled from Sunday's game after only an inning with shoulder discomfort.
Furthermore, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Kopech, Shohei Ohtani, and Clayton Kershaw are all Currently Injured (C.I.I.), and many other pitchers' statuses remain uncertain.
In a surprisingly tight NL West division, the Dodgers need more than just their deep pockets to stay competitive. Sidelined pitchers and an overworked bullpen aren't part of their master plan.
That's just the pitching. Michael Conforto is hitting a dismal .169, with a pathetic .289 slugging percentage and a paltry .592 OPS, in stark contrast to his .759 OPS in 2024 with the San Francisco Giants. Meanwhile, Max Muncy is hitting an equally disappointing .188 with a .547 OPS and zero home runs for the season so far.
Even with their injuries and disappointing performances, the Dodgers are still 19-10 and holding onto first place in their division. But with Snell and Glasnow out of commission and several more question marks looming, LA is already discussing converting reliever Ben Casparius into a full-time starter to cover their pitching woes. They're platooning Conforto, and relying on Miguel Rojas to take up starts instead of Max Muncy.
The Dodgers' financial might gives them an advantage in weathering injuries, but their depth, which keeps them competitive, is largely homegrown or relatively cheap. Casparius, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Andy Pages, and Tommy Edman aren't names you'd expect on a "superteam." But then again, there's no such thing—injuries, random variance, and the razor-thin margins in baseball ensure that.
- Despite the Dodgers' impressive salaries, their superteam is questioned as they struggle to maintain their form, with key acquisitions like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow dealing with injuries.
- The $68 million Miami Marlins recently staged an unexpected comeback against the $400 million Dodgers, highlighting the fact that money doesn't necessarily guarantee success in baseball.
- Michael Conforto, a crucial acquisition for the Dodgers, is struggling with a low batting average and low slugging percentage, contrasting his previous performance with the San Francisco Giants.
- With the injuries and poor performances, the Dodgers are considering converting reliever Ben Casparius into a full-time starter and relying on less expensive homegrown talents, revealing the illusion of a "superteam" in baseball.
