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The Los Angeles Dodgers have been broadly accused of “ruining baseball,” using their owners’ deep financial war chest and television revenues to outspend 29 teams en route to back-to-back World Series championships.
They have even become an avatar for the broader argument in favor of instituting a salary cap in MLB — an argument owners are likely to wield once the Collective Bargaining Agreement with MLB’s players union expires in December.
MORE: Dodgers sign former Yankees pitcher, 4-year MLB veteran
For all its merit, the Dodgers-are-ruining-baseball argument is undercut by an inconvenient fact: their 2026 Opening Day payroll is not the highest in the league.
According to USA Today, that distinction belongs to the New York Mets, whose 40-man payroll is projected at $357.6 million (in MLB’s calculated present-day value). The Dodgers are second at $322.4 million, Bob Nightengale reported March 25.
The numbers are real, but they lie to a degree. The Dodgers’ Opening Day outlay is suppressed by the deferred salaries of players who will be an integral part of their 2026 roster. Kyle Tucker ($10 million), Shohei Ohtani ($68 million), Blake Snell ($13.2 million), and Mookie Betts ($10 million) will defer more than $100 million this season between only four players.
Still, it’s not as if the Dodgers are outpacing MLB — of that other teams are unwilling or unable to defer players’ salaries. According to USA Today, the New York Yankees ($301 million), Philadelphia Phillies ($283.6 million) and Toronto Blue Jays ($278.9 million) are all within $50 million of the Dodgers’ 2026 Opening Day outlay.
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They have even become an avatar for the broader argument in favor of instituting a salary cap in MLB — an argument owners are likely to wield once the Collective Bargaining Agreement with MLB’s players union expires in December.
MORE: Dodgers sign former Yankees pitcher, 4-year MLB veteran
For all its merit, the Dodgers-are-ruining-baseball argument is undercut by an inconvenient fact: their 2026 Opening Day payroll is not the highest in the league.
According to USA Today, that distinction belongs to the New York Mets, whose 40-man payroll is projected at $357.6 million (in MLB’s calculated present-day value). The Dodgers are second at $322.4 million, Bob Nightengale reported March 25.
The numbers are real, but they lie to a degree. The Dodgers’ Opening Day outlay is suppressed by the deferred salaries of players who will be an integral part of their 2026 roster. Kyle Tucker ($10 million), Shohei Ohtani ($68 million), Blake Snell ($13.2 million), and Mookie Betts ($10 million) will defer more than $100 million this season between only four players.
Still, it’s not as if the Dodgers are outpacing MLB — of that other teams are unwilling or unable to defer players’ salaries. According to USA Today, the New York Yankees ($301 million), Philadelphia Phillies ($283.6 million) and Toronto Blue Jays ($278.9 million) are all within $50 million of the Dodgers’ 2026 Opening Day outlay.
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MARCH MADNESS: 2026 Sweet 16 TV schedule, game times & dates for NCAA Tournament
NFL: Puka Nacua’s attorney downplays biting allegation, claims ‘blackmail’
MLB: Traded Blue Jays outfielder who ‘hated’ Ross Atkins gets honest about GM
NBA: Ranking the 15 teams with best chance to win NBA Finals
SPORTS MEDIA: Pat McAfee makes $100k charity wager with Brewers star for MLB Opening Day
ENTERTAINMENT: ABC teases Taylor Frankie Paul ‘Bachelorette’ season despite ongoing drama
Continue reading...
