MLB: Dodgers on track to pass Yankees in 2013 payroll

New York • The Los Angeles Dodgers are on track to become only the second major league team with a $200 million payroll and could end the New York Yankees' streak of 14 years as baseball's biggest spender.

The Dodgers are at $214.8 million for 21 signed players next season, according to a study of their contracts by The Associated Press. That follows last weekend's additions of free agent pitcher Zack Greinke for a $147 million, six-year contract and South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin for a $36 million, six-year deal.

"Creating a lot of buzz, that's for sure," Greinke said. "And you do wonder when things are going to stop."

Crediting the $3.9 million Boston is paying Los Angeles next year as part of last August's trade and not counting the portions of signing bonuses for players obtained from the Red Sox, the Dodgers' 2013 payroll currently is at $207.9 million.

The Yankees have led each year since the Baltimore Orioles edged them by $200,000 in 1998, and New York has been at $200 million-plus every season since 2005. The record opening-day payroll of $209.1 million was set by the Yankees in 2008.

"I don't that there's anybody that can keep up with what the Dodgers are doing," Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said.

Los Angeles, almost certain to pay the luxury tax next year, has joined the high rollers since the Dodgers were bought in May by Mark Walter's group, which also includes Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten.

"When we took over the team, we said we were going to spend money, and I guess you guys are seeing that we're trying to do that," Johnson said. "We're not messing around. We're not talking about it, we're doing it."

Under outgoing owner Frank McCourt, they started the season with the 12th-highest payroll at $94.7 million. They boosted spending with the midseason acquisitions of Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Brandon League.

The Dodgers finished 86-76 last season, eight games behind the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants in the NL West. The Dodgers haven't reached the World Series since winning the title in 1988.

Around the league

Angels • With three-fifths of their starting rotation gone, the Los Angeles Angels have been busy plugging holes and upgrading a bullpen that routinely surrendered leads last season. They introduced new pitchers Joe Blanton and Tommy Hanson on Wednesday, along with relievers Sean Burnett and Ryan Madson — both of whom are coming off surgery.

Mets • David Wright will have to wait until 2025 to receive all the money from his $138 million, eight-year contract with the New York Mets. The deal includes $15.5 million in salary that is being deferred without interest. The money is to be paid in equal installments of $3.1 million each June 30 from 2021-25. —

Dodgers projected payroll for 2013

Adrian Gonzalez $21.9M

Zack Greinke 21M

Carl Crawford 20.9M

Matt Kemp 20.3M

Josh Beckett 17M

Hanley Ramirez 15.5M

Andre Ethier 13.5M

Ted Lilly 13.2M

Clayton Kershaw 11.8M

Chad Billingsley 11M

Juan Uribe 7.3M

Chris Capuano 6.4M

Aaron Harang 6M

Brandon League 5.5M

Mark Ellis 5.3M

Matt Guerrier 4.7M

Jerry Hairston Jr. 3.8M

Yasiel Puig 3.7M

Hyun-Jin Ryu 3.3M

Nick Punto 1.5M

Skip Schumaker 1,5M

Ronald Belisario Arb*

A.J. Ellis Arb*

Total 214.8M

Boston trade 6.9M

Adjusted total 207.9M

*Arbitration