Since the new ownership group, which includes former Los Angles Lakers point guard Magic Johnson, purchased the team for a record $2 billion in 2012, the Dodgers haven’t just become big spenders – they’ve become the biggest spenders.
According to both SB Nation and Spotrac, the Dodgers’ payroll, which at the start of the season was an already MLB-leading $230 million, now currently exceeds $300 million. Not only is that nearly $90 million more than the team with the second-highest payroll, the New York Yankees, but, that’s $15 million more than the Oakland Athletics‘, Tampa Bay Rays‘, Arizona Diamondbacks‘, and Miami Marlins‘ current payrolls combined ($285 million).
Even more mind-boggling is the fact that nearly $90 million of the Dodgers’ gigantic payroll is going to players not currently on the team’s roster.
The Dodgers have become so willing to shell out money for players they simply toss aside shortly after, they’re currently paying approximately $87.8 million this season to players who have either been traded, released, or, for other reasons, are simply no longer with the team.
That $87.8 million alone is actually more than six team’s current payrolls – Astros, Rays, Diamondbacks, Athletics, Indians, and Marlins.
While the Dodgers’ big-spending ways have resulted in a respectable 62-46 record, the Astros actually have a similar record – and with a payroll that’s drastically less than the Dodgers’.
Here’s how the two teams compare, as of August 7:
- Dodgers: $300 million current payroll, 62-46 record, .574 win percentage
- Astros: $79 million current payroll, 61-49 record, .555 win percentage
The Dodgers may be out-spending the Astros by approximately $221 million, but that’s only resulted in a single win more than the cash-strapped Astros.
While the Dodgers’ payroll has already exceeded $300 million, there’s a strong possibility it may increase even more. Star pitcher Zack Greinke, one of the two Cy Young winners the Dodgers currently have anchoring their rotation, has the option to opt out of his current contract after the season – and with an MLB-leading 1.71 ERA, he’ll almost surely do so, and demand a hefty raise in the process.
Don’t worry, by the looks of things, it doesn’t seem like the Dodgers will fret over giving it to him.
This article was originally published on Business Insider. Copyright 2015.
