The final payroll totals for the 2025 MLB season show the Los Angeles Dodgers spent seven times as much on their roster as the lowest-spending team in the league.

Per figures compiled by the commissioner’s office obtained by Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, the Dodgers spent a record $514.6 million between player salaries and competitive balance tax payments.

By contrast, the Miami Marlins had the lowest payroll in MLB last year at $68.7 million. The Dodgers’ investment certainly paid off, as they held off the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling seven-game World Series to win their second straight championship.

Los Angeles’ financial breakdown was $345.3 million in player salaries and a $169.4 million tax bill.

The Dodgers’ tax figure from last season was higher than the payroll for 12 teams.

The New York Mets, who were the highest-spending team in 2024 ($430.4 million), ranked second last year. Their total was right in line with that previous figure at $433.7 million.

Behind the Dodgers and Mets, the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies were the only other teams with a tax payroll over $300 million.

Blum noted that part of what pushed the Dodgers over the Mets in 2025 were the $8.5 million in contract bonuses earned by Clayton Kershaw that also added to their tax figure.

However, Blum also pointed the Dodgers actually saved about $71 million thanks to deferred contracts lowering the present-day value of their payroll.

The Dodgers’ total financial investment from last season was higher than the six lowest-spending teams in MLB combined.

After signing Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz, the Dodgers aren’t cutting costs based on estimates for the 2026 season. They lead MLB with a $415.2 million tax payroll, nearly $34 million higher than the Mets at No. 2 ($381.9 million).

The Dodgers’ estimated tax bill for this season is $161.9 million, which would bring their all-in total up to $574.1 million. The Mets are projected to be around $501.9 million when adding in their estimated $120 million tax payment.

Tucker and Shohei Ohtani account for 42.33 percent of the Dodgers’ competitive balance payroll this season with a combined salary of $103.3 million. MLB’s CBT threshold for 2026 is set at $244 million.

Things seem to still be working out okay for the Dodgers. They lead MLB with a 14-4 record and plus-46 run differential entering play on Thursday.