The San Francisco Giants have crossed a new payroll boundary and might continue to add salary before the Aug. 31 deadline for setting postseason rosters.

For the first time, the Giants are in position to exceed the luxury-tax threshold, according to sources.

San Francisco continues to explore trades for hitters like Chase Utley.

The luxury tax threshold, introduced in the 2003-06 collective-bargaining agreement, is $189 million. The Giants were about $1.5 million over that figure before adding Mike Leake on July 30. Absorbing the remaining $3.58 million on Leake’s contract put the team about $5 million over the limit, according to sources.

If the Giants finish the season above the threshold, they will pay a 17.5 percent tax on the overage as a first-time offender.