Dodgers have spent loads to become back-to-back champs

Have you heard the one about the Dodgers being bad for baseball? We can’t tell if that’s more about sweeping generalizations regarding the industry itself or merely sour grapes from the rest of the league, but expect to hear that chorus repeatedly in the months ahead.

But what have the Dodgers really done in building the consensus favorite to become back-to-back World Series champs? They’ve certainly spent a ton of money. That’s undeniable, as their projected $390 million payroll — calculated by FanGraphs for luxury tax purposes — is the new MLB record, by a wide margin.

Could other owners do that? Perhaps some, but few have the revenue streams — actually, more like Niagara-sized waterfalls — to not only fund such a payroll, but also foot the monstrous tax bill, which piles on another 110% of every dollar spent above the top threshold of $301 million for this season (also known as the Steve Cohen Tax, originally designed to keep the Mets’ mega-billionaire owner in check).

Cohen — the sport’s richest single-owner (the Dodgers are run by the Guggenheim group, a cadre of investors) — flexed his sizable checkbook this winter in giving a record 15-year, $765 million contract to Juan Soto. While that purchase already is paying off in terms of ticket sales and increased exposure for New York’s second baseball team — Cohen’s mission since taking over for the 2021 season — the Dodgers seemingly have cornered the market as a destination franchise, combining their deep pockets with an enviable SoCal home office and recent success.

Not to mention a direct pipeline to Japan’s top talent, a pathway established by the signing of Shohei Ohtani a year ago. Obviously, the Dodgers are loaded in just about every department. They have an unmatched Big Three atop their lineup in Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Their rotation goes eight deep — now with Ohtani returning to the mound in May — and their bullpen is stocked with closer-caliber arms. Then there’s a stacked farm system that churns out MLB-ready prospects whenever the Dodgers need to reload.

But let’s go back to Ohtani for a minute. Remember how stunning that 10-year, $700 million deal was when it was first revealed? In retrospect, it’s turned out to be a bargain, even with Ohtani limited to DH duties in his first season, which he spun into a second MVP trophy and a World Series title.

The Ohtani reward goes way beyond his physical talents. Because of his many personal endorsement deals — netting him nearly $70 million annually in off-the-field income — Ohtani chose to defer all but $2 million of his Dodgers salary through his first decade, knocking his AAV (for tax purposes) down to $46 million. Ohtani is unique among players in his ability — and willingness — to defer 97% of his contract, a significant boon to the Dodgers.

And that was only the beginning. Since the day Ohtani signed, the Japanese icon has been a magnet for the next round of coveted players to come over, starting with Yoshinobu Yamamoto — who agreed on a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers less than a week later — and then Roki Sasaki, whose posting by the Chiba Lotte Marines limited him to just $6.5 million in international bonus pool money.

This is where you could argue it isn’t a fair fight. While it seemed that Yamamoto and Sasaki were open to other teams — the Yankees and Mets among them — it ultimately became clear they wanted to join Ohtani, the brightest of Japanese stars, on the West Coast. Writing that check to Ohtani wasn’t just throwing money at a player. It was a chess move by the Dodgers, who are ruling the MLB board right now. And the only thing with the potential to stop them — other than maybe Cohen’s Mets, or someone else from the stronger NL — is the expiration of the current CBA at the end of the 2026 season, when we could see significant changes in baseball’s financial landscape.

Elsewhere in the NL West, the Padres’ ownership turbulence since the death of Peter Seidler has yet to upend their threat to the Dodgers as San Diego remains powered by Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Rookie of the Year runner-up Jackson Merrill. With Dylan Cease staying on board — for now — the rotation is stellar with former Yankee Michael King, Yu Darvish and offseason pickup Nick Pivetta.

The Diamondbacks said goodbye to Christian Walker and Joc Pederson, but giving Corbin Burnes a six-year, $210 million deal shows they’re serious about getting back to October.

The Giants finally imported some offense by getting former Brewers shortstop Willy Adames, then took a flier on 42-year-old Justin Verlander to see if he can benefit in an extreme pitcher’s ballpark.

The Rockies, who haven’t been to the playoffs since 2018, are coming off back-to-back 100-loss season and could easily get the hat trick this year.

NL CENTRAL

Are the Cubs going to win the division by default? Who else is even trying? They traded for the most-coveted lefty bat not named Juan Soto in prying Kyle Tucker from the Astros, so expect him to have a huge walk year on the North Side. The Cubs also added reliever Ryan Pressly and top prospect Matt Shaw should provide some thump at third.

What can be said about the rest of the division? The Brewers project as a .500 team after losing Adames to free agency and trading elite closer Devin Williams to avoid paying him. The Cardinals are headed for what can best be described as a rebuild, although they’re currently stuck with Nolan Arenado. Their only free-agent signing this winter was former Mets reliever Phil Maton. In Cincinnati, the Reds are banking on some Terry Francona magic after coaxing him out of retirement. The Pirates’ big move was bringing Daniel Vogelbach on as an assistant hitting coach. The good news for Paul Skenes? Only five more years until free agency.

NL EAST

It’s a three-for-all with the Mets, Phillies and Atlanta having a decent shot at the division title. When we last saw the Phillies, they were playing the patsy up at Citi Field in the NLDS Game 4 clincher, but their pitching improved with the additions of Jesus Luzardo and Jordan Romero. Health is the key for Atlanta, as a slew of injuries — including season-enders to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider — ended its run of six straight East titles. Since both won’t be back for Opening Day, there’s a window there for the Mets or Phillies to get an early jump.

The Nationals’ goal this season? Not to be the only team in the majors without a stadium naming rights deal or jersey patch sponsor. Sandy Alcantara is back for the Marlins after Tommy John surgery, but for how long under Miami’s eternal rebuild?

By David Lennon

dave.lennon@newsday.comDPLennon

David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.