Dodgers: Three things to remember to help soften the World Series loss
By Jason Reed
2. So. Much. Freed. Up. Money.
The Los Angeles Dodgers often get a bad rep for being the most overpriced team in baseball. While that is fair to say based solely on the salary cap, the salary cap itself is not a fair indication of how much money is really spent on the team itself. Look no further than the young core previously mentioned to see just how cost efficient Andrew Friedman’s front office has been.
The most expensive contracts next season are Clayton Kershaw ($33 million), Adrian Gonzalez ($21.5 million), Scott Kazmir ($16 million) and Rich Hill ($16 million) — only two of those players actually contribute. After that, it drops off to Justin Turner ($11 million), Brandon McCarthy ($10 million) and Kenley Jansen ($10 million).
The Dodgers do not have another player that is going to cost them over $10 million next season. So, where did all of this large salary come from?
Let me explain.
The Los Angeles Dodgers paid Carl Crawford over $21 million last season. Twice a month Crawford was receiving checks from the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was paid more than every Dodger not named Kershaw or Gonzalez.
Plus, the Dodgers likely are going to part ways with Andre Ethier. If they do resign the veteran, it will be to small one-year, $2 million deal like Chase Utley’s. Between those two players alone the Dodgers are freeing up nearly $40 million dollars. As of now, their salary has shrunk from $265 million to $177 million.