Dodgers' spending spree renews push for salary cap

Spending limits might not be the answer that smaller market teams are looking for

Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches to Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 1 of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024
Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches to Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 1 of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024
(Image credit: Daniel Shirey / MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Over the past two offseasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers have committed more than $2 billion in future player salaries, reigniting debate about whether a salary cap would ease the equity woes across the league. After reaching a $700 million deal with star Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers won their second World Series in four years and are positioned for another deep run following another offseason spending spree.

With frustration growing among fans of smaller market teams, baseball may be headed to a standoff after its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the players expires in 2026.

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David Faris

David Faris is an associate professor of political science at Roosevelt University and the author of It's Time to Fight Dirty: How Democrats Can Build a Lasting Majority in American Politics. He is a frequent contributor to Informed Comment, and his work has appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, The Christian Science Monitor, and Indy Week.