Dodgers' Spending on 2025 World Series Roster Smashed MLB Record, Check Out Final Payroll

The final payroll totals for the 2025 MLB season show the Los Angeles Dodgers spent seven times as much on their roster as the lowest-spending team in the league.

Per figures compiled by the commissioner's office obtained by Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, the Dodgers spent a record $514.6 million between player salaries and competitive balance tax payments.

By contrast, the Miami Marlins had the lowest payroll in MLB last year at $68.7 million. The Dodgers' investment certainly paid off, as they held off the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling seven-game World Series to win their second straight championship.

Los Angeles' financial breakdown was $345.3 million in player salaries and a $169.4 million tax bill.

The Dodgers' tax figure from last season was higher than the payroll for 12 teams.

The New York Mets, who were the highest-spending team in 2024 ($430.4 million), ranked second last year. Their total was right in line with that previous figure at $433.7 million.

Behind the Dodgers and Mets, the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies were the only other teams with a tax payroll over $300 million.

Blum noted that part of what pushed the Dodgers over the Mets in 2025 were the $8.5 million in contract bonuses earned by Clayton Kershaw that also added to their tax figure.

However, Blum also pointed the Dodgers actually saved about $71 million thanks to deferred contracts lowering the present-day value of their payroll.

The Dodgers' total financial investment from last season was higher than the six lowest-spending teams in MLB combined.

After signing Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz, the Dodgers aren't cutting costs based on estimates for the 2026 season. They lead MLB with a $415.2 million tax payroll, nearly $34 million higher than the Mets at No. 2 ($381.9 million).

The Dodgers' estimated tax bill for this season is $161.9 million, which would bring their all-in total up to $574.1 million. The Mets are projected to be around $501.9 million when adding in their estimated $120 million tax payment.

Tucker and Shohei Ohtani account for 42.33 percent of the Dodgers' competitive balance payroll this season with a combined salary of $103.3 million. MLB's CBT threshold for 2026 is set at $244 million.

Things seem to still be working out okay for the Dodgers. They lead MLB with a 14-4 record and plus-46 run differential entering play on Thursday.