Mr. Awesome Time said:

---

Translation: Rob the Clown only cares what the owners think and making more asinine rules changes.

---

They are his boss

Correct but his statement can come off to some like he cares what the fans think by mentioning them when he doesn't.

The 2025 luxury tax for the Los Angeles Dodgers is currently over $142 million. 😬

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) February 18, 2025

I mean they are paying a projected $140M in luxury tax penalties in 2025. They clearly DGAF. I tend to think too many owners are using the luxury tax as a de facto salary cap. The punishment simply isn't high enough to operate that way. You basically lose money / draft picks to acquire young talent but they think the biggest strategic advantage the Dodgers have is being able to trade good players for prospects because they are so loaded. They had no room for Michael Bush so they traded him to the Cubs for Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris. Hope is a top 100 prospect now and Ferris is their best pitching prospect.

Where does the luxury tax money go

Mr.Bond said:

---

Where does the luxury tax money go

---

However the hell Manfred wants. Last year they made changes to give money to teams who lost revenue due to all the media rights shenanigans. So basically teams get to help pay the Rangers for negotiating with a loser organization. Hardly a deterrent for teams to make sure they are dealing with a reputable media partner.

EastCoastAgNc said:

---

Triston Casas: “I think Bregman should play second.” Says Rafael Devers is his third baseman.
Says he doesn’t think Campbell, Anthony or Mayer should be on the opening day roster.

— Julian McWilliams (@byJulianMack) February 18, 2025

Someone tell the rookie to shut up... At least we didn't have players taking sides last year over who should be the closer

---

Haha what a dumb ass. Why would you openly make comments like that about your teammates?

Farmer1906 said:

---

The 2025 luxury tax for the Los Angeles Dodgers is currently over $142 million. 😬

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) February 18, 2025

---

Well, I guess that means they don't care about that penalty… I mean they have a World Series championship to prove that it's worth it

Bergman has to be regretting not staying home

The easiest answer in the world would have been “That’s not up to me. Alex Cora makes those decisions” pic.twitter.com/sEV4NhFPBD

— Robbie Hyde (@gingersnaphyde) February 18, 2025

texasaggie2015 said:

---

Mr.Bond said:

---

Where does the luxury tax money go

---

Ukraine

---

Brendan Rodgers to the Stros. The Altuve move to left makes more sense now.

Sources: IF Brendan Rodgers and #Astros have agreed to a 1-year deal, pending physical. pic.twitter.com/slWGbm3ufv

— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) February 19, 2025

Dirty Mikes Boyz said:

---

Brendan Rodgers to the Stros. The Altuve move to left makes more sense now.

---

I guess the Arenado stuff fell through. Wonder if it's a minor league deal

Edit: yep, means Nolan can still happen, probably insurance in case it doesn't

Rodgers deal is a minor league deal, with an invite to spring training, per source.

— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) February 19, 2025

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodgebr02.shtml

Not sure how a guy whose bat has been mediocre despite playing in COL is suddenly a solution.

I would probably rather have Dubon start 162 at 2B than him, just because he at leaat has a GG glove.

Rodgers with a career .628 road OPS when not at Coors

He does play gold glove defense though

MaxPower said:

---

I mean they are paying a projected $140M in luxury tax penalties in 2025. They clearly DGAF. I tend to think too many owners are using the luxury tax as a de facto salary cap. The punishment simply isn't high enough to operate that way. You basically lose money / draft picks to acquire young talent but they think the biggest strategic advantage the Dodgers have is being able to trade good players for prospects because they are so loaded. They had no room for Michael Bush so they traded him to the Cubs for Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris. Hope is a top 100 prospect now and Ferris is their best pitching prospect.

---

I agree that most owners are using the luxury tax as a de facto salary cap. It's an excuse for most owners. There probably should be some sort of penalty for not spending as well.

I disagree the Dodgers DGAF about the luxury tax. The $1B in deferrals are clear evidence they do care about it. You are right they are ok with paying luxury tax, but they are ok with it because the deferrals are allowing them to pay significantly less than what they would be paying if not for the deferrals - they are essentially getting the best players on expensive contracts for a fraction of the penalty.

It's a smart trade-off. They are likely to make up that luxury tax amount through winning this year (something most owners should realize).

Even though they are paying $140M in luxury tax for 2025, they've still skirted around a significant amount of luxury tax through deferrals, which is against the point of the rule. Kudos to them for being able to do it - but they're one of only a handful of teams that can do it, which is certainly a competitive advantage and why it's silly for Manfred to come out and essentially say it's not a big deal.