Ohtani leads most expensive series in history between Dodgers and Mets

The 2026 Major League Baseball season is already making history even before it reaches its peak. This April 13, a series that has captured the attention of all of baseball began: The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets in the most expensive showdown ever recorded in MLB, considering payrolls under the Competitive Balancing Tax (CBT).

For the U.S. Hispanic community, these types of duels not only represent sporting spectacle, but also an opportunity to understand how economic power is redefining modern baseball.

Dodgers vs Mets: record-breaking figures

The numbers are compelling.

In 2026, the Dodgers lead the Major Leagues with an approximate payroll of $413.5 million under the CBT, while the Mets top $375 million.

Adding the impact of the luxury tax that both teams must pay for exceeding the established limits, the combined total expense for both organizations exceeds $1.07 billion.

This is an unprecedented figure in the history of the sport.

To put it in context, the Dodgers’ payroll alone exceeds the combined total spending of several lower-budget teams in the league.

Ohtani yes, Juan Soto no

One of the biggest attractions of the Dodgers-Mets series is Shohei Ohtani, who remains the global face of baseball.

The Japanese signed a historic 10-year, $700 million contract.

Although with deferred payments that reduce its annual impact on the CBT to approximately 46 million.

On the other hand, the Mets were without their top star, Juan Soto.

He signed the largest contract in MLB history (15 years and $765 million), but is out with a right calf injury.

This absence prevents a direct duel between two of the highest paid players in the sport, something many fans were hoping to see.

The economic impact on today’s MLB

The financial dominance of Dodgers and Mets reflects a clear trend in baseball:

Teams with greater resources are betting on elite squads, increasing competitiveness, but also widening the gap with franchises with smaller budgets.

For example, the Dodgers’ projected luxury tax for 2026 hovers around $161.9 million, a figure higher than the total payroll of several entire teams.

In the case of the Mets, their penalty also far exceeds the total spending of multiple franchises.

In addition, the combined salaries of players such as Ohtani, Soto, Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette reach levels comparable to the entire budgets of numerous teams in the league.

For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.