The Los Angeles Dodgers established a new MLB spending record in 2025, combining $345.3 million in payroll and $169.4 million in luxury tax for a total of $514.7 million, surpassing the previous high of $430.4 million set by the 2024 New York Mets, according to final figures from the commissioner's office.

The record expenditure coincided with the Dodgers' second consecutive World Series championship. Los Angeles is projected to lead MLB again in 2026 with $487.1 million in combined spending.

The Dodgers' 2025 payroll was seven times the $68.7 million spent by the Miami Marlins and exceeded the combined payrolls of the six lowest-spending franchises. The ratio of the five highest spenders to the five lowest reached a record 4.7, up from 3.6 in 2021.

Los Angeles and the second-place Mets, who finished at $433.7 million, combined for $948.3 million in total spending.

Shohei Ohtani's deferred contract structure significantly discounted the Dodgers' figures. His $70 million 2025 salary counted at just $28.2 million because $68 million is deferred until 2035. Without seven such deferred arrangements, the Dodgers' total would have been roughly $71 million higher.

The Mets began 2026 with a record $358.4 million payroll, their fifth consecutive season of massive investment under owner Steve Cohen without a championship. New York spent $1.44 billion across those five seasons, including $320 million in luxury tax payments.

Eight clubs opened 2026 above the $244 million luxury tax threshold, led by the Dodgers at $415.2 million, the Mets at $379.2 million and the Yankees at $339.6 million. The Cleveland Guardians carry the lowest 2026 opening-day payroll at $75.5 million.

Total MLB spending rose 3.1% to $5.32 billion in 2025 and has climbed 31.3% since the current collective bargaining agreement took effect in 2022.