No team has won back-to-back World Series titles since the New York Yankees completed their third straight championship in the shortened 2000 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who beat the Yankees in a five-game series last fall, are now aiming to break that trend.
The Dodgers’ recent signing of versatile Enrique Hernandez on Sunday marks their 12th free-agent acquisition, the most in Major League Baseball. This moves their payroll to a record $387 million, although it still falls short of the Mets, who reportedly spent $1.01 billion, headlined by Juan Soto’s $765 million contract.
The deal includes no deferred money but features signing bonuses, opt-out clauses, and various incentives. The Mets’ estimated 2025 salary is $331 million, placing them alongside the Dodgers in the $300 Million Club. Both teams will incur millions in luxury tax penalties but appear unbothered by the cost.
By showcasing a seemingly limitless budget, the Dodgers have positioned themselves as heavy favorites to defend their World Series title, according to early projections from sites like FanGraphs, PECOTA, and others.
With pitchers and catchers set to report this week, here’s a look at how the National League could shape up by season’s end (*indicates wild-card winner):
NL West
Los Angeles – Just a year ago, the baseball world was stunned when Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract, breaking all salary records in professional sports. However, the return on investment was immediate, as Ohtani delivered the game’s first 50/50 season and earned unanimous MVP honors for the third time. At just 30 years old, Ohtani is widely regarded as the best player in the game.
This season, he will serve as both the leadoff hitter and primary DH, while also returning to pitching. With the addition of Ohtani, the Dodgers now feature three Japanese starters: Ohtani himself, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and top rookie Rōki Sasaki, alongside newly-signed lefty Blake Snell.
The Dodgers also strengthened their bullpen with the acquisition of hard-throwing southpaw Tanner Scott. Add to that a solid lineup, highlighted by former MVPs Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman at the top, and Los Angeles looks like a formidable contender.
