Dodgers Shatter MLB Spending Record at $515 Million in 2025

Los Angeles' payroll was 7 times the lowest-spending Miami Marlins, more than the bottom 6 clubs combined

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or competition, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players and action on the field.The Dodgers' record-shattering spending in 2025 highlights the growing financial disparity in Major League Baseball.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers shattered Major League Baseball's spending record with a combined $515 million in payroll and luxury tax in 2025, en route to their second straight World Series title. The Dodgers' total was seven times the $68.7 million payroll of the Miami Marlins, the lowest-spending team, and more than the payrolls of the bottom six clubs combined.

Why it matters

The Dodgers' record-breaking spending highlights the growing financial disparity in MLB, with the league's top spenders far outpacing the lowest-payroll teams. This raises concerns about competitive balance and the ability of smaller-market teams to field competitive rosters.

The details

The Dodgers' 2025 spending included records for payroll at $345.3 million and luxury tax of $169.4 million for a total of $514.6 million. This topped the previous high of $430.4 million by the 2024 New York Mets. The Mets and Dodgers combined to spend $948.3 million, with the ratio of the five highest spenders to the five lowest increasing from 3.6 in 2021 to a record-high 4.7 last year.

  • The Dodgers shattered the previous MLB spending record in 2025.
  • The Dodgers are projected to lead MLB in spending again in 2026 with a $487.1 million total.

The players

Los Angeles Dodgers

A Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles, California, known for their high-spending approach and recent success, including back-to-back World Series titles in 2024 and 2025.

Miami Marlins

A Major League Baseball team based in Miami, Florida, known as one of the lowest-spending teams in the league, with a payroll of just $68.7 million in 2025.

New York Mets

A Major League Baseball team based in New York City, known for their high-spending approach under owner Steve Cohen, with a total spend of $433.7 million in 2025.

Clayton Kershaw

A retired pitcher who spent his entire MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning $8.5 million in bonuses in 2025 as part of his retirement.

Shohei Ohtani

A star player for the Los Angeles Angels, whose $70 million salary in 2025 was discounted to $28.2 million for payroll calculations due to deferred payments.

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What’s next

The Dodgers are projected to lead MLB in spending again in 2026 with a $487.1 million total, while the Mets are also expected to have a record-high payroll of $358.4 million.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' historic spending in 2025 underscores the growing financial divide in MLB, where the league's top spenders are able to assemble superstar rosters while smaller-market teams struggle to remain competitive. This raises concerns about the long-term health and parity of the sport.