Dodgers' Projected Luxury Tax Bill on 2026 Payroll After Tarik Skubal Trade Revealed in MLB Rumors

The Los Angeles Dodgers made the biggest move of any team at the trade deadline, dealing for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.

The move gives the Dodgers' already strong rotation one of the best pitchers in the game, but it also comes with a steep financial penalty. Per Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen, Los Angeles' new projected luxury tax bill is $180 million.

While the Dodgers' tactics of building an expensive roster have been frowned upon by many around baseball, Badenhausen noted that Los Angeles will contribute more than $200 million toward revenue sharing this year, which benefits small-market teams that have lost their regional sports network deals.

The Dodgers have also used deferred contracts to build dominant rosters in the present. The team owes $1.1 billion in deferred contracts, with Shohei Ohtani's $680 million deferred contract being the bulk of it.

That has helped Los Angeles win back-to-back World Series, and potentially a third this year. Of course, that could have long-term implications since the Dodgers will be paying potentially retired players millions in the future.

For now, Los Angeles and its fans can enjoy the immediate success.

Spending big hasn't exactly paid off for every team, though. The New York Mets came into the season with the highest payroll, and they're currently 47-66 this year.

The Dodgers' increasingly massive spending comes amid a proposed salary cap from MLB owners. Los Angeles acquiring a Cy Young Award winner will only increase owners' desire to implement a salary cap.

That, of course, sets the stage for a potential lockout.

"The hysteria is coming. The lockout is coming," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal wrote after the Skubal trade. "And amid all the noise, something important will be obscured. The Dodgers are good at this. Better than everyone else."

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported earlier this week that some owners "believe there won't be a single game next season."

The last time MLB owners tried to introduce a salary cap, it led to a lockout that cancelled the 1994 World Series. It's hard to imagine it would end any differently this time.

For now, Skubal and the Dodgers will look to finish the 2026 campaign strong with a World Series run.