Last year, the New York Mets spent like crazy. Steve Cohen opened the spending valves, which had the effect of… causing the club to lose.
The Mets owner reached into his pockets and exceeded, in 2023, the “Steve Cohen” luxury tax threshold, negotiated because of Cohen. He paid over $100M in luxury tax, which is crazy.
Especially for a club that missed the playoffs.
I don't think that in 2024, a club will have up to $100 million in tax to pay. But the Dodgers, following the signing of Teoscar Hernandez, passed the Steve Cohen threshold.
The Steve Cohen threshold is set at $297 million and now projections bring the Dodgers to $312 million for the rest of things in 2024. That's far from the $357 million for the Mets in 2023, but still: it's a lot.
At the same time, when you have an offensive lineup like that, it could be expensive…
On free agents, the Dodgers spent $1.0665 billion this winter. And in total, more than $1.2 billion was spent this winter.
Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Teoscar Hernandez and Jason Heyward are the big names that make up the club's winter.
Do you want more?
If we include all expenses on the roster, the Dodgers almost spent more than all other teams combined this winter.
They acquired the best player available, the best starting pitcher available and there, they acquired one of the good outfielders on the market.
Outside of Seattle, Teoscar could also find his comfort at bat. That’s the gamble he’s taking with a one-year contract.
Note that another starting pitcher (without necessarily talking about a star) could arrive in California, in order to add a little depth.
It will be something, facing the Dodgers in 2024.
- The Dodgers also added to their pool of deferred money.
- Fans in Boston are disappointed with their team's offseason – and with good reason. What will it take to make them happy?
