The Los Angeles Dodgers could become the first Major League club with a luxury-tax payroll north of $300 million following the addition of Chase Utley.

Wednesday's trade for Utley increased L.A.'s projected payroll for tax purposes to about $298.5 million. Performance bonuses for other players and award bonuses could make the Dodgers the first team to reach the $300 million mark.

Los Angeles is well above the $189 million tax threshold and will pay at a 40 percent rate for exceeding the mark for the third straight year. Its projected tax bill is about $44 million, which would top the record $34 million paid by the New York Yankees after the 2005 season.

The Dodgers' luxury tax payroll includes about $40 million for players no longer with the organization.