Many MLB fans are upset that the Dodgers in Los Angeles are in unknown territory when it comes to pay. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred believes there is a bigger problem with sports.
Speaking to reporters in Phoenix on Tuesday, Manfred addressed what turned into a dominant offseason tale.
The commissioner basically said he wasn’t upset about it, but he understands why he’s upset via Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times:
The Dodgers always do everything possible within the rules that exist now, and have the best possible team on the field. I think that’s great. That type of competitive spirit is something people want to see. ”
“It’s clear that some markets have fans who are concerned about the Dodgers’ financial resources and the ability of competing market teams to compete. If they’re consistent on one point, fans on topics like this I’ll try to listen to the story. And I’ve heard people, trust me.”
Currently, the Dodgers’ competitive balance tax salaries are near $400 million, the 40-person salary number used by MLB to determine premium tax payments adjusted for deferred inflation. The baseball prospectus projected at $423 million, while Spotrac believes it is $392.5 million.
Both numbers are the highest the league has ever seen, and that’s not the end of spending. Los Angeles is also facing a record $142 million tax at the end of the season, as it is over $150 million more than its luxury taxes.
The Dodgers didn’t have the most expensive offseason for baseball – that title belongs to the New York Mets, and the $765 million JuanSoto deal for all Dodgers deals that combined that offseason is actually doubled But A) The Dodgers are just as big, so the impact feels great. I won the World Series. b) Last year, they made the offseason a billion dollar offseason last year. c) They got the stupid Sasaki this winter at an incredible discount.
Conversely, 10 MLB teams are currently projected to have lower CBT salaries than Dodgers’ tax bills per SPOTRAC. This includes track and field and the Tampa Bay Rays. They are scheduled to play this year at Minor League Stadium after years of conflict over future homes (A moved spontaneously, but the rays aren’t that much). The Chicago White Sox have also joined the group after losing MLB Records 121 games and then trading the best remaining players.
Manfred appears to be more concerned via Harris about MLB’s non-competitive teams and other issues.
“If I’m going to be critical of something, it won’t be the Dodgers. It’ll be the system.”
If you want a summary, here are all nine MLB free agent deals that the Dodgers have signed since winning the World Series (returnees are italicized):
This does not include Sasaki’s $6.5 million international free agent bonus or signed to Tommy Edman, a five-year, $74 million extension. The Dodgers undoubtedly left with two of the four best starting pitchers from Snell and Sasaki, three of the best bailouts from Scott, Trainen and Yates, and the second best outfielder at Hernandez .
All of these have produced MLB pay caps, long taboos and ideas that are more appealing to fans, but it will probably limit player salaries across the league than hurting the Dodgers. As the Sasaki Contract has shown, the Dodgers are leveraging resources in many areas beyond their pay, making them an attractive destination for free agents not to get what they want in the open market.
The results of this season are no obvious conclusions either. Yes, the Dodgers are a favorite of the Clear World Series, with +250 odds on betMGM, but that works well for Vegas and gives him a 28.6% chance to win the title. At the mechanical level, baseball sports have been extremely unwelcome in recent years for teams who believe they can spend their path to titles.
