Dodgers paying almost $100M to players not on World Series roster
The Los Angeles Dodgers boast the largest payroll in baseball, but a significant portion of the approximately $240,000,000 they've paid to players this season went to those who didn't even crack the World Series lineup.
Two of the three highest-paid Dodgers on the 40-man roster didn't make the 25-man Fall Classic roster announced Tuesday. Adrian Gonzalez and Scott Kazmir make up close to 40 percent of the roughly $100 million owed to those not playing in the World Series, according to salary figures from Cots Baseball.
The Dodgers' current 25-man World Series roster cost approximately $148.7 million this season. Clayton Kershaw earns a hefty $35.57 million, while young stars Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Enrique Hernandez, and Chris Taylor cost the club roughly $2.5 million combined.
$$ OWED TO PLAYERS NOT ON WS ROSTER
| PLAYER | SALARY | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Gonzalez | $22.3M | Injured |
| Carl Crawford | $21.8M | Released |
| Scott Kazmir | $17.6M | Injured |
| Hyun-Jin Ryu | $7.8M | 40-man |
| Alex Guerrero | $7.5M | Out of MLB |
| Erisbel Arruebarruena | $5.5M | Minors |
| Hector Olivera | $4.6M | Out of MLB |
| Yaisel Sierra | $3.5M | Minors |
| Sergio Romo | $3M | Traded |
| Matt Kemp | $2.75M | Traded |
| Franklin Gutierrez | $2.6M | Injured |
| TOTAL | $98.95M |
Gonzalez was unable to play due to a back injury and is currently on vacation in Europe with his family, while Kazmir didn't pitch at all this season due to a hip injury.
Carl Crawford was released last season with $35 million remaining on his deal, and the Dodgers will finally finish paying him at the conclusion of this year. The club is also still paying ex-Dodgers Alex Guerrero, Hector Olivera, Sergio Romo, and Matt Kemp.