During collective bargaining agreement (CBA) discussions between MLB and the Players Association, one of the hottest items was the competitive balance tax.
We learned a few things over the winter and spring: a handful of teams prefer to save money even if it means they won’t win in a long time, and a couple of squads couldn’t care less about the competitive balance tax (CBT), also known as the luxury tax.
We got to experience a little of both worlds.
Those two teams that are prepared and willing to exceed even the last luxury tax tier, created just a few weeks ago for the 2022-26 period, are the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Dodgers’ new projected CBT figure, per Roster Resource: $292.9M,” The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya confirmed on Friday, after the trade that netted Los Angeles closer Craig Kimbrel in exchange for AJ Pollock.
Dodgers’ new projected CBT figure, per Roster Resource: $292.9Mhttps://t.co/SXxmZZoMZm https://t.co/bB4CI6ddT2
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) April 1, 2022
The Dodgers Will Be Paying Big Bucks In Taxes As Things Stand
As a reminder, the fourth luxury tax tier, one that requires teams who exceed it to pay a 60 percent surcharge on all overages, kicks in after a $290 million payroll.
Right now, if they don’t make any more moves, the Dodgers would be the only team reaching that fourth and final CBT tier.
Judging by general manager Brandon Gomes‘ remarks after the transaction, the Dodgers care about winning, much more about the CBT.
Per Ardaya, he said that “having the Kimbrel deal be cash-neutral wasn’t as much of a factor as balancing out the roster.”
The Dodgers will use all of their resources to increase their chances of winning; as any MLB team should.
Their approach should be celebrated.
NEXT: Dodgers Add Craig Kimbrel To An Already Elite Bullpen