The Los Angeles Dodgers are on track to become only the second major league team with a $200 million payroll and could end the New York Yankees’ streak of 14 years as baseball’s biggest spender.
The Dodgers are at $214.8 million for 21 signed players next season, according to a study of their contracts by The Associated Press. That follows last weekend’s additions of free agent pitcher Zack Greinke for a $147 million, six-year contract and South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin for a $36 million, six-year deal.
“Creating a lot of buzz, that’s for sure,” Greinke said. “And you do wonder when things are going to stop.”
Crediting the $3.9 million Boston is paying Los Angeles next year as part of last August’s trade and not counting the portions of signing bonuses for players obtained from the Red Sox, the Dodgers’ 2013 payroll currently is at $207.9 million.
The Yankees have led each year since the Baltimore Orioles edged them by $200,000 in 1998, and New York has been at more than $200 million every season since 2005. The Yankees record $209.1 million opening-day payroll was set in 2008.
New York’s 2013 payroll is at $176 million for 13 players, including a $12 million deal for third baseman Kevin Youkilis that hasn’t been finalized.
PAYOFF FOR WRIGHT IN 2025
David Wright will have to wait until 2025 to receive all the money from his $138 million, eight-year contract with the New York Mets.
The deal includes $15.5 million in salary that is being deferred without interest. The money is to be paid in equal installments of $3.1 million each June 30 from 2021-25. Wright’s previous contract called for him to make $16 million next season, and his 2013 salary was reduced to $11 million, of which $3 million will be deferred.
SHORT HOPS
The blockbuster trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford from Boston to the Dodgers last August will wrap up with the Red Sox paying $11.7 million to Los Angeles over the next three years. … The Rangers acquired catcher Eli Whiteside on a waiver claim from the Blue Jays. Texas also re-signed infielder-outfielder Brandon Snyder to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. … The Dodgers acquired infielder-outfielder Skip Schumaker from the Cardinals for minor league infielder Jake Lemmerman. ... The Cubs claimed right-hander Sandy Rosario off waivers from the Red Sox.
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