Yankees vs. Dodgers: MLB Players Vote on Best Team

In Major League Baseball (MLB), a team’s reputation isn’t just about pride. It plays a huge role in luring top-tier talent and keeping a competitive edge.

Recently, The Athletic ran an anonymous survey, asking MLB players which teams they respected most—and which ones fell short. The Los Angeles Dodgers came out on top, while the New York Yankees, usually a powerhouse, landed in second place. So, what’s really behind a team’s glowing reputation, and why do players care so much about certain traits?

The Los Angeles Dodgers: A Blueprint for Building an Elite Reputation

Players made it clear: the Los Angeles Dodgers are the gold standard in MLB. They racked up 82 positive votes and not a single negative one.

That kind of praise makes the Dodgers the dream destination for a lot of players. But what actually sets them apart?

Investment in Talent and Infrastructure

Players often point to the Dodgers’ willingness to invest big in both talent and infrastructure. They make splashy trades, sign major free agents, and keep their facilities top-notch.

By building state-of-the-art training spaces and embracing analytics, they show they’re serious about helping players reach their best. The Dodgers don’t just talk about winning—they put their money and energy behind it.

The Winning Culture

The Dodgers have built a culture that’s all about winning. This mindset doesn’t just pull in great players—it boosts the team’s reputation across the country.

It’s a cycle: success brings in talent, and that talent keeps the wins coming.

The New York Yankees: Still Great, But No Longer Unchallenged

For years, the New York Yankees were the gold standard, known for their history, branding, and deep pockets. The Athletic’s survey, though, showed a big gap: the Yankees got 40 positive votes, while the Dodgers had 82.

Even more telling, the Yankees picked up three negative votes—something the Dodgers avoided entirely.

Historic Status vs. Modern Expectations

The Yankees are still a legendary name, but players want more than just tradition these days. They’re looking for teams that invest in talent, keep up with technology, and actually show they’re committed to winning.

Apparently, the Yankees have started talking internally about how to keep their elite status with players. It seems like even the biggest brands need to keep evolving in today’s MLB.

The Broader MLB Landscape: Prioritizing Reputation

Beyond the Dodgers and Yankees, a few other teams got nods of approval. The Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs, for instance, earned solid reputations and avoided any negative votes.

Still, their positive vote totals were nowhere near the Dodgers or Yankees, which says a lot about those two teams’ unique places in the league.

What Players Value Most

The survey gives us a pretty clear idea of what MLB players want from a team:

Conclusion: Reputation Matters More Than Ever

The Athletic’s survey of MLB players really shines a light on something that’s only getting more important—reputation. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers have figured out how to use investment, infrastructure, and culture to make themselves the place everyone wants to be.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees’ spot in the survey shows that even legends can’t rest on their history anymore. Players expect more now, and the old ways just don’t cut it.

As MLB keeps changing, players look for new things when they judge teams. Other clubs can look at what works and maybe chart their own course to the top.

For fans and execs, it’s honestly wild to see how the fight for prestige in Major League Baseball is almost as fierce as the game on the field.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees or Dodgers? MLB players poll declares the best team without question