Oct 20, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after beating the New York Mets during game six of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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Dodgers feature one of MLB’s largest payrolls, paying off with 2024 World Series title

Natasha Bose

Last updated: October 31, 2024 - 2 min read

With Ohtani and Freeman on fire, the Dodgers finally prove that big spending can bring home the crown.

New York and Los Angeles are Major League Baseball’s two largest markets, with the Yankees and Dodgers carrying the second and fifth-highest payrolls, respectively, into the 2024 season.

This season, the Dodgers put together one of the biggest payrolls in MLB history—and are now crowned the 2024 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!

Combined team payroll

The Yankees invested $309 million in their 2024 payroll, ranking second-highest in the league, while the Dodgers came in fifth with $241 million. (The New York Mets, who fell to the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, led the league in payroll spending this year.)

Together, these teams’ payrolls reached a massive $550 million, marking the highest-ever combined payroll for a World Series matchup. This amount surpassed previous records, including 2022’s $427 million and 2018’s $426 million, according to Spotrac’s contract data, which dates back to 2011.

The LA Dodgers—with one of the largest payrolls in the history of sports—have won their EIGHTH WORLD SERIES TITLE 🏆

"START THE PARTY LOS ANGELES"pic.twitter.com/Ejyrt7Wg84
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) October 31, 2024

The Dodgers’ financial strength and willingness to invest in high salaries allow them to recruit and keep elite players, making them one of the most financially solid franchises in MLB.

Leading the Dodgers’ 2024 payroll list is Shohei Ohtani, whose two-way talent brings unparalleled value to the team. The roster’s talent pool deepens with big-name stars like Betts and Freeman in top pay brackets, further cementing the Dodgers’ strength.

As one of the wealthiest MLB teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers are known for offering substantial contracts to their top players. Here’s a snapshot of the 2024 Dodgers’ salary hierarchy:

SHOHEI OHTANI: 10 years, $700 million
MOOKIE BETTS: 12 years, $365 million
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: 12 years, $325 million
FREDDIE FREEMAN: 6 years, $162 million
WILL SMITH: 10 years, $140 million
TYLER GLASNOW: 5 years, $136 million

Is Shohei Ohtani the highest-paid player in the game?

Yes—sort of. His 10-year, $700 million contract sets records in both total value and average annual value. However, the contract includes heavy deferrals—Ohtani receives $2 million per year now and will earn $68 million annually from 2034 to 2043. For present-day payroll, this calculates to $28 million, with a CBT (Competitive Balance Tax) payroll of $46 million.

Dodgers

Dodgers payroll

Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you've probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
Got into sports media the same way most people do: by (fortunate) accident. Started with SEO writing, took on a few sports gigs, and now here we are! I cover games, trades, player drama—whatever needs words.
Favorite part? The chaos. One day it's a blockbuster trade, the next it's a goat running onto the field. Never boring.
Message to readers: If you want deep analysis, there are people for that. If you want sharp, no-BS writing that actually makes sense, stick around.