The Los Angeles Dodgers have increasingly been portrayed as a convenient target ahead of a potential lockout when the current collective bargaining agreement expires in December, particularly by owners who support instituting a league-wide salary cap.
Last season, the Dodgers fielded the most expensive roster in MLB history, carrying a $417.3 million payroll. That figure far surpassed the 2025 luxury tax threshold of $241 million and marked the fifth straight year the club exceeded the competitive balance tax limit.
Their 2026 payroll, for luxury tax purposes, is once again projected to top $400 million as they chase a third consecutive championship. No team has accomplished a three-peat since the New York Yankees dynasty from 1998 to 2000, a club also known for its hefty spending.
Bryce Harper backs Los Angeles
Despite criticism from rival fan bases, some owners, and segments of the media, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies has consistently defended the Dodgers.
Harper recently praised the organization’s scouting and player development, rejecting the idea that their financial muscle is harmful to baseball. He emphasized that while the Dodgers do spend aggressively, they also excel at drafting and developing talent before using those assets in trades for marquee players.
According to Harper, the team’s sustained success stems from its depth and infrastructure, not just its payroll. He pointed to examples of lesser-known players stepping up when needed as evidence of the organization’s strength from top to bottom. In his view, other teams have the same opportunity to draft, develop, and trade wisely—even if they can’t match Los Angeles dollar for dollar.
Harper echoed similar sentiments last April, bluntly stating that complaints about the Dodgers often come from those frustrated by their success, describing them as a model franchise.
Interestingly, Los Angeles once pursued Harper with a short-term, high-value offer similar to the deal Kyle Tucker reportedly secured this offseason. Harper instead committed long-term, signing a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies in March 2019—without any opt-out clauses, signaling his desire for stability.
While Philadelphia’s payroll doesn’t rival Los Angeles, the club has been assertive in free agency under president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Beyond Harper, the Phillies have handed out major contracts to players such as Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Trea Turner, and Aaron Nola, while also extending Zach Wheeler.
The Phillies further demonstrated their financial flexibility by releasing Castellanos despite still owing him $20 million. He later signed with the San Diego Padres for the league minimum salary, slightly reducing Philadelphia’s remaining obligation.
