Los Angeles Dodgers Enter 2026 as Baseball’s Team to Beat, Led by Ohtani and Tucker
As the 2026 MLB season approaches, the Los Angeles Dodgers are once again the team to beat, entering the year with momentum, star power, and a roster that boasts some of the game’s most feared hitters and versatile athletes.
There are three clear reasons why the Dodgers are favored: they are the defending World Series champions, Shohei Ohtani is the reigning league MVP, and Kyle Tucker has just signed a massive $240 million, four-year contract that adds even more firepower to an already intimidating lineup.
Yet, in a surprising twist that reflects the intricacies of modern MLB contracts, their two top sluggers are only receiving a combined $3 million in actual salary for 2026, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, a figure that seems shockingly low given their superstar status.
Ohtani himself will take home $2 million in salary this year, with an additional $68 million deferred, while Tucker will receive $1 million upfront, with a $64 million signing bonus waiting for him before spring training, highlighting the strategic timing of MLB payroll management.
Last season, Ohtani showcased why he is baseball royalty, batting .282 with 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 172 hits, an impressive combination of power and consistency that cemented his position as both a hitter and a pitcher capable of changing the outcome of any game.
Meanwhile, Kyle Tucker, now joining the Dodgers after his tenure with the Chicago Cubs, finished 2025 with a .266 batting average, 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 133 hits, demonstrating a balanced offensive game that pairs power with the ability to contribute in multiple situations.
Ohtani’s rise to superstardom is tied to a historic contract he signed in 2023, a 10-year, $700 million deal that stunned the baseball world and immediately positioned him as one of the most secure and well-compensated players in MLB history.
Under the terms of this contract, Ohtani is receiving $2 million annually in salary, while the remaining $680 million is deferred without interest, scheduled to be paid out between 2034 and 2043, a structure designed to benefit both the player and the Dodgers financially.
His deal also includes a no-trade clause, effectively keeping Ohtani in Los Angeles for life unless he decides otherwise, a rarity in modern baseball contracts and a testament to the Dodgers’ desire to lock in a generational talent.
For Tucker, his contract structure differs slightly but still reflects significant financial value, including the $64 million signing bonus and an additional $30 million in deferred compensation, bringing the total deal value to approximately $57.1 million, a massive investment in a rising star.
From a purely baseball standpoint, the Dodgers are still a powerhouse, boasting an offensive lineup that includes not only Ohtani and Tucker but also All-Stars like Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, making their batting order arguably one of the deepest in recent history.
Should Los Angeles win the 2026 World Series, they would become the first team since the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000 to capture three consecutive championships, cementing a dynasty and adding yet another chapter to an already storied franchise legacy.
Financially, the Dodgers’ roster reflects both ambition and risk, as their overall payroll, including the luxury tax, is $413 million, which is $100 million higher than any other MLB team, demonstrating their willingness to spend big to maintain competitive dominance.
When considering just cash payroll, the Dodgers are still among the elite, with an actual payroll of $196,782,500, a figure that reflects careful planning with deferred contracts, strategic signings, and a focus on long-term sustainability without sacrificing star talent.
With Ohtani’s dual-threat capability as a hitter and pitcher, Tucker’s emerging offensive power, and the depth of the supporting cast, the Dodgers are poised to dominate games in 2026 and make a serious run at history, continuing a pattern of excellence under a front office known for strategic ingenuity.
Off the field, the Dodgers’ approach to contracts and payroll management demonstrates how modern baseball superteams are built, balancing immediate on-field production with long-term financial flexibility, and ensuring they can retain superstar talent while remaining under the luxury tax threshold.
As fans await the start of the season, all eyes will be on Los Angeles, where every at-bat, every pitching duel, and every defensive play could define a team chasing history, a team blending the excitement of modern superstars with the strategic brilliance of a championship-winning organization.
