With the recent signing of Kyle Tucker to a $240 million, four-year deal, the Dodgers reaffirmed what they had already demonstrated with Shohei Ohtani‘s contract: they are not shy about paying millions of dollars to compete. This is why, according to reports, MLB is considering imposing a salary cap. It has been reported that Major League Baseball is debating the possibility of implementing a spending cap on signings due to growing economic disparities, with the Los Angeles franchise at the center of the conversation.
The Dodgers’ projected payroll for 2026 is around $386 million, with a competitive balance tax payroll of nearly $414 million, approximately $170 million above the CBT threshold. Their spending far exceeds that of the rest of the teams, as the second-highest projected payroll is almost $96 million lower.In a recent article in the New York Post, the question was raised as to how long the Dodgers can maintain this dominance, especially with the threat of a salary cap looming.
After all, despite all the Dodgers’ star talent, their roster is aging, with half of their projected lineup already 33 or older. Add in the looming threat of a salary cap… the Dodgers’ future could soon face new challenges
Fans and rival team executives have pointed to this gap as part of the case for a barrier during upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations. They want to limit the way franchises build and maintain star-studded rosters. This potential rule change could redefine the way future free agency is negotiated and organizations’ payroll strategies are modified.
The Dodgers’ millionaire roster; Ohtani, the spearhead
The Los Angeles roster is characterized by long-term contracts for veteran stars, many of which extend into their late 30s and even early 40s.
- Shohei Ohtani: 10 years and $700 million, valid until 2033
- Mookie Betts. 12 years and $365 million. Expires in 2032
- Freddie Freeman. 6 years, $162 million. Expires in 2030
Catcher Will Smith is under a 10-year deal that also runs well into the next decade. Left-hander Blake Snell, 33, is signed for five years, and Tyler Glasnow’s contract keeps him under team control at least through 2027.
Added to this is the recent signing of Kyle Tucker for four years and $240 million at age 29, which added another high-value contract to the equation. With an average age of over 31, this group is older than most World Series champions and carries significant financial commitments.
The case of Max Muncy with the Dodgers
With the threat of a salary cap, the Dodgers have to think about Max Muncy and third base, as his body has not stayed healthy throughout the season. The 34-year-old spent time on the injured list on three occasions in 2025. This included a knee contusion and an oblique strain that cost him long periods of inactivity.
The Dodgers do have internal replacements, but none have demonstrated Muncy’s combination of power and experience at the plate. He is tied for seventh in franchise history with 203 home runs. With a salary structure that is adjusted against a possible cap, the team’s options take on added importance.An interesting free agent who could fill that depth role is Eugenio Suarez, who is coming off a great campaign in 2025.
- He hit 49 home runs and drove in 118 runs in 159 games.
- His batting average of .228.
- He finished fifth in MLB in home runs last season
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