While Manfred Frets, Some Opposing Players Cheer The Big-spending Push Of The Los Angeles Dodgers

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred shared conflicting feelings about the big-spending Los Angeles Dodgers this week, praising the franchise's competitive spirit in one breath before worrying about the financial disparity they've created in the next.

Players elsewhere around the league don't seem nearly as conflicted.

"Teams spending money is never bad for baseball and never bad for players. Ever. In any situation," Athletics slugger Brent Rooker said.

If Manfred is looking to find some sympathy from Major League Baseball's rank-and-file regarding his worry over the sport's financial health, it's probably not going to come from the guys on the field.

MLB is the only major professional sport in America that doesn't have a salary cap, though there are luxury tax penalties for passing certain spending thresholds. Last season, the Dodgers had a 353 million luxury tax payroll and had to pay a 103 million tax. The Athletics had the lowest luxury tax payroll at just under 84 million.