Editorials

Dodgers To Have Highest Payroll, Average MLB Salaries Reach New High

Clayton Kershaw 4

When Stan Kasten, Magic Johnson and the Guggenheim group purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012, they made it clear they would not hesitate to spend large amounts of money in order to put a winning team on the field.



The Dodgers payroll of $235 million in 2014 passed the New York Yankees for the highest payroll in all of baseball. According to the Associated Press, the average MLB salary has reached a record high and the Dodgers will again have the largest payroll in 2015:

The average salary when Opening Day rosters are finalized Sunday will break the $4 million barrier for the first time, according to a study of all major league contracts by The Associated Press. Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw tops players at $31 million and Los Angeles projects to open the season with a payroll at about $270 million, easily a record.

The MLB average salary in 2015 is $4.25 million. That is up from $3.95 million on the first day of last season and $3.65 million when 2013 began. The average broke the $1 million mark in 1992, topped $2 million in 2001 and reached $3 million in 2008; the lucrative and guaranteed contracts are something Carl Crawford believes should sway young athletes to play baseball.

Clayton Kershaw tops all players with a $31 million salary in 2015 and not too far off is Zack Greinke’s $27 million salary in what could be his final season with the Dodgers. Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez also both have 2015 salaries north of $20 million.

Andre Ethier, who is not likely to be an everyday player, is set to make $18 million. The Dodgers are also paying the San Diego Padres $18 million this season to cover a portion of Matt Kemp’s 2015 salary.

While the Dodgers are on track to again hold the highest payroll, it isn’t necessarily something the club is intent on continuing. President and CEO Stan Kasten has said spending would eventually subside as they implement more home-grown talent, though he recently remarked there isn’t a set dollar amount the payroll needs to be at or under.

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Carl Crawford Discusses Stealing Bases And Health


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