The Los Angeles Dodgers’ unique way of structuring contracts means that arguably their two best players for the upcoming season will only cost them $3 million in base salary.
USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale pointed out Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Tucker will receive salaries of $3 million in 2026.
For Ohtani, his $2 million salary is the extent of his payout from the Dodgers this season because the bulk of his $700 million contract will be received as part of his deferred payments starting in 2034.
Lest anyone feel concerned for Ohtani living in Los Angeles and “only” making $2 million, the four-time MVP is the highest-paid athlete by endorsement money with $100 million in earnings last year.
Tucker’s salary is only going to be $1 million, but his Dodgers contract includes a $64 million signing bonus due before the start of spring training. Los Angeles’ first full squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 17, so he will get a nice check within the next four weeks.
Despite their low salaries, the way MLB calculates the present-day value of contracts means Tucker and Ohtani will have the highest luxury-tax salaries on the Dodgers this season.
Tucker tops the list at $57.2 million, followed by Ohtani at $46.1 million. The Dodgers’ total payroll and tax bill for 2026 sits at $573.8 million, highest in MLB. The New York Mets ($520.7 million) are the only other club spending more than $400 million.
