NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 The $500 million Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 thrilling World Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays attracted\u2026<\/p>\n
NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 The $500 million Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019<\/a> thrilling World Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays attracted record international attention<\/a> for Major League Baseball, affirmed LA\u2019s status as the sport\u2019s best team and drew more attention to baseball\u2019s payroll disparity heading into what is likely to be contentious labor negotiations.<\/p>\n Los Angeles\u2019 5-4, 11-inning win<\/a> over Toronto in Game 7 on Saturday night capped a postseason with seven winner-take-all games, two more than any previous year.<\/p>\n Shohei Ohtani is building a case as the sport\u2019s best player ever<\/a> with his unprecedented two-way performances, captivating audiences outside the U.S. unlike any previous player.<\/p>\n \u201cIt just absolutely been the greatest benefit to the game that you can imagine throughout the year,\u201d baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred.<\/p>\n Toronto\u2019s success this year sparked interest throughout Canada<\/a>, which gave the Blue Jays nationwide support.<\/p>\n Aaron Judge<\/a>, Bobby Witt Jr.<\/a>, Paul Skenes<\/a> and Cal Raleigh<\/a> already have committed to play for the United States in next year\u2019s World Baseball Classic, which is gaining increased interest with each addition. <\/p>\n And MLB is negotiating to send big league players to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics<\/a> during an extended All-Star break.<\/p>\n \u201cPlayers are interested in playing, whether it\u2019s for the Team USA or any number of other teams around the world,\u201d union head Tony Clark said.<\/p>\n The Dodgers are already talking about a three-peat<\/p>\n Minutes after the Dodgers became the first repeat champion since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees, Dodgers star Freddie Freeman said matching that pinstriped power was the next goal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Yankees are three-time back-to-back,\u201d he said, \u201cso we get to use that same narrative next year.\u201d<\/p>\n Those Yankees are among just four instances of teams winning three or more consecutive championships alongside five by the 1949-53 Yankees, four by the 1936-39 Yankees and three by the 1972-74 Oakland Athletics.<\/p>\n Big market spending sparks talk of salary-cap proposal<\/p>\n Dodgers manager Dave Roberts attracted attention after the National League Championship Series sweep of Milwaukee when he yelled to Los Angeles fans: \u201cThey said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let\u2019s get four more wins and really ruin baseball!\u201d<\/p>\n Los Angeles entered the World Series having spent $509.5 million in major league payroll and projected luxury tax, plus another $6.5 million for pitcher Roki Sasaki\u2019s minor league signing bonus.<\/p>\n Including Sasaki\u2019s bonus, the Dodgers spending for its two World Series title teams totaled at least $890 million. The New York Mets, who failed to reach the playoffs this year after getting knocked out in last year\u2019s NLCS, have spent about $860 million in 2024 and \u201925.<\/p>\n In a sign of how much payroll disparity has increased, the Athletics spent less than $150 million over the same period.<\/p>\n Manfred repeatedly has said owners haven\u2019t settled on their labor proposals, but the players\u2019 association is bracing to resist a push for a salary cap. Demand for a cap from owners is what led to a 7 1\/2-month strike in 1994-95 and the first cancellation of the World Series in 90 years.<\/p>\n The labor contract expires on Dec. 2, 2026, and bargaining is likely to start this winter or spring.<\/p>\n More Japanese players likely headed to MLB<\/p>\n Following the success of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, more Japanese players may sign with MLB teams.<\/p>\n Munetaka Murakami, a third baseman and first baseman who turns 26 in February, is expected to be posted by the Yakult Swallows. He hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs this year, limited to 56 games by an oblique injury. A two-time Central League MVP, in 2022 he hit 56 homers to break Sadaharu Oh\u2019s record for a Japanese-born player while becoming the youngest player to earn Japan\u2019s Triple Crown.<\/p>\n Kazuma Okamoto, a 29-year-old third baseman and first baseman. will be posted by the Yomiuri Giants. He has 248 homers in 11 Central League seasons, hitting 30 or more from 2018-23.<\/p>\n Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander, could be posted by the Seibu Lions. He struck out 17 against Yokohama on June 17, breaking Daisuke Matsuzaka\u2019s prior team record of 16 from 2004.<\/p>\n Here come the robots<\/p>\n Game 7 of the World Series was MLB\u2019s last with human umpires making all ball\/strike calls.<\/p>\n