For weeks, the discussion around MLB circles centered around the “Steve Cohen tax” and whether or not he would surpass the $290 million threshold for the newest competitive balance tax (CBT) penalty.
But everybody seemed to forget about the Los Angeles Dodgers and what they would do after the lockout.
Yes, the Mets spent an incredible amount of money before the lockout, but the Dodgers, quietly, pounced on free agent first baseman Freddie Freeman (six-year, $162 million contract) after the halt.
That, and some arbitration raises (most notably the $21 million they will be paying shortstop Trea Turner) have shot their payroll expenses through the roof.
“Dodgers’ new projected CBT figure with arbitration deals settled, per FanGraphs’ Roster Resource: about $287.3 million,” The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya tweeted.
Dodgers’ new projected CBT figure with arbitration deals settled, per FanGraphs’ Roster Resource: about $287.3 million.https://t.co/SXxmZZoMZm
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 22, 2022
The Mets And Dodgers Are In A League Of Their Own
This is just a reminder that Los Angeles has about the same willingness to spend as the Mets.
To be exact, the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll estimate for 2022 is at $287,289,658.
The Mets are at $287,216,667, but that figure has an estimate of $8.8 million for starting pitcher Chris Bassitt, who is the only arbitration-eligible Met left to agree on his 2022 salary.
All in all, unless they go out and sign Michael Conforto or any remaining free agent of note, both teams are expected to remain under the $290 million CBT threshold for now, but it’s likely that neither club is afraid to exceed it if it means a sizable upgrade that could put them in a better position to win the World Series.
The 2022 MLB season is about to start, and it’s already clear that the Mets and the Dodgers are in a league of their own when it comes to finances and expenses.
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