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The sports world was in shock. Former MLB GM Sandy Alderson referred to it as an "affront to baseball," highlighting the absurdity of the figure compared to the financial landscape of the time. The ripple effects were immediate; the Padres and Cardinals, who were vying for Brown, had to rethink their own financial plans, realizing they could not compete with the deep pockets of their rival teams.
Aftermath: Shifting Economic Paradigms in MLB
In subsequent seasons, MLB salaries skyrocketed, littering the landscape with contracts surpassing the $100 million mark. While the Dodgers had secured a front-line pitcher who had the potential to lead their rotation, they also became ensnared in a cautionary tale about the risks of high-stakes investments.