“Dodgers Boost Payroll by $9 Million with Deadline Deals”

With the trade deadline now behind us, it’s time to review the Dodgers’ roster and payroll changes. Over the past week, the team made five trades, resulting in an increase of approximately $9 million in salaries for the rest of the season.

Dodgers 2024 Trade Deadline Moves

| Player                      |  Team      | Season Salary                    | Pro-rated Salary |
|——————–|—————-|—————|——————|
| James Paxton | to Red Sox                  | $4,000,000                       | -$1,419,355 |
| Tommy Edman | from Cardinals       | $7,000,000                       | $2,370,968 |
| Michael Kopech | from White Sox    | $3,000,000                      | $1,016,129 |
| Miguel Vargas | to White Sox            | $750,000                           | -$254,032 |
| Amed Rosario | from Rays                  | $1,500,000                       | $508,065 |
| Ryan Yarbrough | to Blue Jays          | $3,900,000                     | -$1,300,000 |
| Kevin Kiermaier | from Blue Jays     | $10,500,000                   | $3,500,000 |
| Jack Flaherty   | from Tigers               | $14,000,000                   | $4,666,667 |
| Totals** | | | **$9,088,441** |

Miguel Vargas’ salary is estimated.

The trade of James Paxton last week set the stage for these moves, especially with Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw returning from injury and the expectation of acquiring a starter by the deadline.

Paxton, who earned all his bonuses with the Dodgers, had a remaining salary of about $1.4 million, now covered by the Red Sox. The most significant addition is Jack Flaherty, with the Dodgers taking on the last third of his $14 million contract—about $4.67 million. The trade with the Blue Jays added a net $2.2 million in salary, with Ryan Yarbrough’s $1.3 million salary being traded away and Kevin Kiermaier’s $3.5 million salary added. Miguel Vargas, traded to the White Sox, had an estimated salary of $750,000.

Although there might be additional costs related to roster changes, the final payroll for competitive balance tax (CBT) purposes will be confirmed in November or December, but it’s expected to exceed $297 million, placing the Dodgers in the highest tax tier. With an estimated opening payroll of $320 million and additional costs, including bonuses and other trades, the total increase in cost due to the $9 million in added salaries is around $19.1 million, considering the 110 percent tax rate for exceeding the CBT threshold.