All-Star Free Agent Praises Dodgers for Contract Deferrals
The Los Angeles Dodgers have sparked controversy after deferring the contracts of several players. Shohei Ohtani deferred 97 percent of his $700 million contract to give the organization more financial flexibility.
The Dodgers most recently snagged the best starting pitcher on the market in Blake Snell. The organization also deferred approximately $60 million of his salary. The deferred payment structure for several players has allowed the Dodgers to continue bringing in talent.
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Many baseball fans have been angered by the Dodgers’ ability to retain a number of star players. Although there are many critics, free agent infielder Whit Merrifield praised the Dodgers for their creative approach to contracts.
“The Dodgers have just gotten creative with the way the system is set up,” Merrifield said via Foul Territory. “They’ve gotten creative with the way they spend their money. They’ve been able to sign expensive players and still not get crushed on the tax thresholds. It’s not illegal. It’s not cheating. It’s just creative. Frankly, kudos to them. At the same time, their playbook is sort of out there now. To me, I get that people are frustrated with the Dodgers building that ‘super team’ if you want to call it that. Is it frustrating for another fan base? Yeah. Again, they’re not doing anything sneaky or under the table or cheating. They just got creative.”
The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy in 2011, but under new ownership, the team has reached new heights. In 2024, the Dodgers are now one of the most lucrative clubs in all of baseball.
Several baseball fans criticized the Dodgers for deferring payments as if the decision to do so was wrong. However, others have defended the Dodgers by explaining other owners have the ability to defer contracts but instead choose not to.
It’ll be interesting to see whether other teams choose to take the same route as the Dodgers in the coming seasons. It’s evident the Dodgers’ method works as they are the reigning World Series champions and are favorites to reach the Fall Classic again next season.
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Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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No one should fault the Dodgers for the deferrals. They have built a solid team. And–the money is rolling in. Dodger games are now broadcast in Japan with more views than any other MLB team there. Television revenue from there has got to be a tidy sum. The World Series was highest viewed in years. And how about the souvenir sales? Nah to the naysayers. It has worked handsomely for 2024! The Mets look like they could be ready to join the mover of the chess pieces in the NL.
It does make me fear what will be happening in 5-10-15 years, but for now it looks like they’re gaming the system. I see the logic to it, but I don’t trust it long term. Kind of like buying a car with a balloon loan, it’s all good now, but when it comes due in a few years… Oh s***