NEW YORK — The sound of “Big Spender” rings out as baseball’s postseason rolls into the League Championship Series, featuring three powerhouses: the New York Mets, the New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who all boast the highest payrolls in the sport. They are joined by the Cleveland Guardians, who are significantly lower down the list at 23rd in spending.
Cleveland’s manager, Stephen Vogt, emphasized the difference in approach. He noted the intense preparation required for his team, which contrasts sharply with the resources available to their wealthier competitors who can afford to set their lineups and simply play.
The matchup sees some of the brightest stars in baseball compete, including Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso. The Guardians, despite a lower payroll, have standout players such as closers Emmanuel Clase and hitter José Ramírez. The playoff format reignites the debate on whether spending translates into victory on the field.
Mets reliever Adam Ottavino acknowledged that larger budgets generally provide better opportunities for assembling great talent, but he also pointed out that increased spending does not guarantee success. The Mets lead the league with a payroll of $332 million, followed by the Yankees at $311 million and the Dodgers at $266 million, based on Major League Baseball’s most recent data, though final figures won’t be confirmed until after all bonuses are accounted for in the winter. In contrast, Cleveland operates with a payroll of approximately $109 million.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains focused on his team’s performance rather than their budget. He emphasized his commitment to evaluating the capabilities of his 26 players versus the challenge of defeating the Mets. The Rangers, who had a payroll of $241 million last year, won the World Series, exemplifying that success can come from outcomes outside the financial powerhouses.
Historically, the high spenders have not always come out on top. Since the introduction of the luxury tax, only the 2020 Dodgers, 2018 Red Sox, and 2009 Yankees have clinched championships while having top payrolls. Notably, the Red Sox found success as the second-highest spenders in both 2004 and 2007, and they were third in 2013. Seven out of the last 21 champions fell outside the top ten in payroll.
Mike Shildt, manager of the San Diego team that ranked 15th in payroll, emphasized the importance of fundamentally playing good baseball over financial considerations.
This postseason marks the fourth time the Mets and Dodgers will meet, having previously faced off in 1988, 2006, and 2015, with Los Angeles winning their first encounter. The 1988 series was infamous for the ejection of Dodgers pitcher Jay Howell due to pine tar, while the 2015 matchup was contentious because of an injury caused by Chase Utley. The situation surrounding these historical meetings builds an exciting narrative heading into this latest showdown, particularly after their recent competitive games earlier in the season.
In this new series, the Dodgers will send Jack Flaherty to the mound for Game 1, while the Mets counter with the returning Kodai Senga, who missed significant time due to injuries. Sean Manaea will pitch in Game 2 for the Mets, capitalizing on their recent success after eliminating the Phillies in the Division Series.
As for the Guardians and Yankees, this marks their seventh postseason meeting, with Cleveland having won Division Series previously in 1997 and 2007 but also suffering losses in 1998 and from 2017 to 2022. Both teams have history, including a dramatic encounter in 1997 when Sandy Alomar’s late-game home run knocked the Yankees out.
New York started the past season strong against Cleveland, winning two of three matchups. With their recent triumph over the Royals, the Yankees are well-positioned going into this series, possibly starting Carlos Rodón in the opener. Cleveland’s momentum from their victory over Detroit adds another layer of excitement.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone highlighted the challenges posed by Cleveland’s performance, particularly for their well-balanced attack and solid bullpen. As these two storied franchises clash once more in the postseason, all eyes will be on how the drama unfolds in the coming days.
