Dodgers Don’t Have the Highest Payroll in MLB in 2025

Although the world has appointed the Los Angeles Dodgers as the high-spending villains of Major League Baseball, they are not leading the league in this one key category: payroll.

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There is nothing wrong with a front office that spends money doing their job of putting the best possible lineup on the field every game, but especially after the Dodgers were crowned champions of the baseball world, various opinions have come out of the woodwork to express their concerns of L.A.’s budget.

Something that may be more scrutinized is the use of deferred money in blockbuster contracts that the Dodgers hand out. This is a combination of intelligent pay structuring from the front office, as well as having talent that is willing to sign on to these team-friendly deals.

Shohei Ohtani is the biggest example as he signed a $700 million contract last offseason, but is deferring $68 of his $70 million annual amount for a later date. His lack of ego and desire to win and surround himself with fellow talent results in him as the 18th highest-paid player in the league.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale confirmed that the Boys in Blue are ranked second in total payroll behind the New York Mets.

Last season was more of the same as the Dodgers were third in the league in total payroll behind the Mets at No. 1, and the World Series runners-up New York Yankees at No. 2.

Spending money for a talented team is something that is 100 percent legal in baseball and is something more owners should do with increasing competition in the league. Only three teams have ever won the World Series with a payroll in the bottom half of the league on Opening Day, but two of those teams made midseason trades upping them to the top half by the end of the year.

Through the Dodgers’ spending, competitive teams are put out on the field, leading to more entertainment and engagement from fans, and most importantly, can end in October glory.

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Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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