Manager Dave Roberts slams "evil empire" criticism against Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are dubbed as the modern-day "Evil Empire"—a moniker that was more associated with the New York Yankees during the latter's heyday.

In a recent interview with the MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, Dodger manager Dave Roberts clapped back at the criticism of his team after landing several big names in the offseason.

"I think the moniker "Evil Empire" is just a way for people to root against somebody," Roberts said. (0:01 onwards)

The Dodgers were also ridiculed for winning the 2020 title in the pandemic-shortened MLB season. After the 2024 World Series win, they've seemingly put a target on their backs as the pantomime villains of the league.

Roberts suggested the opposition fans might just be frustrated by the inaction their respective teams embark on when it comes to bolstering the talent within their organizations.

"I think the frustration for fans in their individual ball clubs is they want to have the same kind of motivation that our ownership does. I still think that fans would like their teams to invest rather than sit on their hands."

The Dodgers skipper then closed out the interview by saying that the LA ownership merely wanted to establish a player-friendly environment for them to able to land the talent that they were able to acquire.

Los Angeles Dodgers' plethora of acquisitions

The biggest winners of the 2024-2025 MLB offseason are the Los Angeles Dodgers. Skipper Dave Roberts and his contingent are looking to be the first squad since the 1999-2000 New York Yankees to defend their World Series title.

This offseason, the reigning champions signed two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal, All-Star outfielder Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million deal, All-Star reliever Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal, and two-time All-Star and former NL saves leader Kirby Yates.

The team also acquired the best talent that the East had to offer when they landed NPB phenom Roki Sasaki and KBO star Hyeseong Kim.