The 2025 World Series set, as the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers will battle it out to crown a champion.
While the Dodgers are know for their bloated payroll, and willingness to spend big money in free agency, the Blue Jays have quietly produced a large payroll of their own. In a sport without a salary cap, these are two teams that try to be aggressive in spending their money.
Of course, three of the five highest-paid players in baseball by contract value will be in this series. Shoehi Ohtani is making $700 million with the Dodgers through 2033, while Mookie Betts' $365 million deal is still the fifth-largest contract in baseball.
MORE: How many World Series have the Dodgers won?
Most recently, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Signed a $500 million extension to remain in Toronto through the 2039 season. That extension begins next year, however, so Guerrero is still playing under his arbitration salary this season.
There is no shortage of star power in this series, as reflected by the massive salaries of the players involved. Here’s a breakdown of how the Dodgers’ and Blue Jays’ payrolls compare.
MORE: How Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Slugged his way to World Series, ALCS MVP award
Dodgers payroll 2025
- Payroll: $350,024,106
- Tax Payroll: $416,823,208
Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers have a large payroll this year as they have six players making at least $27 million against the luxury tax during the 2025 season. Los Angeles' seven highest-paid players are Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Mookie Betts, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez, as all of them are healthy and key contributory to this team.
The Dodgers have 13 players making at least $10 million a year, though not all have performed to that level. Michael Conforto and Tanner Scott struggled this season despite each earning over $16 million, while Clayton Kershaw is making $16 million in his final season with the team.
MORE: Who will win World Series 2025?
Blue Jays payroll 2025
- Payroll: $255,230,405
- Tax Payroll: $279,986,096
The Blue Jays are quietly a big-market team that is not afraid to spend money. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is making $28.5 million this year, before his $500 million extension kicks in next year, while George Springer and Kevin Gausman also earn over $20 million a year as big-name free agent additions.
Toronto also used its finances to acquire Max Scherzer, Andres Gimenez, and Anthony Santander in the offseason, each making between $13 and $15 million this year.
MORE: Complete history of Toronto's playoff appearances and pennant wins
Highest payrolls in MLB 2025
| Rank | Team | Payroll |
| 1. | Los Angeles Dodgers | $350,024,106 |
| 2. | New York Mets | $342,011,853 |
| 3. | New York Yankees | $305,154,455 |
| 4. | Philadelphia Phillies | $290,286,320 |
| 5. | Toronto Blue Jays | $255,230,405 |
| 6. | Houston Astros | $232,140,003 |
| 7. | Texas Rangers | $226,026,491 |
| 8. | Atlanta Braves | $217,723,651 |
| 9. | San Diego Padres | $216,825,239 |
| 10. | Chicago Cubs | $211,270,073 |
The Dodgers’ spending sprees in the past few offseasons mean they have the highest payroll in the majors, with the New York Mets right behind them. The New York Yankees are in the top three, and the veteran-heavy Philadelphia Phillies rank fourth.
The Blue Jays comfortably have the fifth-highest payroll in baseball, with no team within $20 million of them in either direction.