After paying an MLB-high $36.2 million for exceeding the luxury tax threshold in 2017, the Los Angeles Dodgers have kept their payroll below the competitive balance tax line in each of the past two seasons.
From 2014-17, the Dodgers were tabbed with the highest luxury tax bill, and they paid nearly $150 million in taxes when also including 2013. L.A. reset penalties by remaining below the threshold for 2018, which set an expectation they would be a factor in free agency last winter.
The Dodgers pursued Bryce Harper — albeit attempting to entice him with a short-term contract — but ultimately only signed Joe Kelly and A.