As of right now today, the Dodgers have a projected payroll as it relates to the competitive tax threshold of $186,743,333.
In the meantime, let's dispense with the notion that the Dodgers can't compete for a ring with a payroll of only $206 million, which is the competitive balance threshold for the 2019 season.
Boras was outspoken last offseason when many of MLB's heretofore top-spending teams such as the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants mostly sat out the free-agent process to duck below the $197 million competitive tax threshold.
The figure includes estimated salaries for nine arbitration-eligible players and is $15.6 million below baseball's $206-million 206-million-tax threshold for 2019.
Major League Baseball's competitive balance tax threshold for 2018 will be $197 million — a $2 million hike from 2017.
They built the Nationals into one of just two teams that crossed the competitive balance tax threshold last season.
The Nationals would need to spend above the competitive balance tax threshold if they want Kimbrel, a decision that ultimately would be made by the team's ownership group.
Unless the Nationals re-sign star outfielder Bryce Harper — which, at this point, would take ownership's willingness to go well beyond the Competitive Balance Tax threshold — Rizzo will spend heavily on those elite starters, and not so much on middle-lineup bats and back-end relievers.
True, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series last year with baseball's highest payroll and paid a $12 million penalty for exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold.
Because of bad contracts signed by the previous front-office regime, the Giants are limited to the money they can take on without going over the competitive balance tax threshold ($206 million).
Unlike in Rye Neck, some of the amounts billed exceeded the $20,000 threshold for competitive bidding.
