World Series champion Dodgers top MLB luxury tax at $103 million as record 9 teams owe penalty
NEW YORK (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers topped a record nine teams owing Major League Baseball’s luxury tax this year with an unprecedented $103 million penalty. The New York Mets owe $97.1 million that raises their tax total under high-spending owner Steve Cohen to nearly $229 million. The World Series champion Dodgers will pay a tax for the fourth year in a row. The Dodgers’ tax payroll of $353 million included $1,032,454 in non-cash compensation for Shohei Ohtani, whose contract calls for use of a suite for games at Dodger Stadium and an interpreter. The Yankees owe $62.5 million, followed by Philadelphia at $14.4 million, Atlanta at $14 million and Texas at $10.8 million.
A’s, third baseman Gio Urshela reach agreement on 1-year deal, AP source says
A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations says third baseman Gio Urshela has reached agreement on a one-year contract with the Athletics. Urshela’s deal is pending a physical, the person said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn’t finalized. The 33-year-old Urshela batted .250 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs last season between Atlanta and Toronto.
With Roki Sasaki looming, Orioles left $2.1 million unspent from allotment and Dodgers $1.9 million
NEW YORK (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles left about $2.1 million unspent from their 2024 international signing bonus pool allotment and the Los Angeles Dodgers around $1.9 million in a year there was speculation Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki would be available. Major League Baseball’s international amateur signing period runs from Jan. 15 to Dec. 15, and Sasaki was not posted until Dec. 8. The 2025 signing period starts Jan. 15 and the 45-day window to reach a deal with the touted 23-year-old runs until Jan. 23, meaning he’ll sign within the 2025 period. The 2025 bonus pools range from $7,555,500 for eight teams to $5,146,200 for the Dodgers and San Francisco. The Dodgers are among the many teams interested in Sasaki.
Sammy Sosa appears to acknowledge PED use and apologizes. Cubs welcome him back into fold
CHICAGO (AP) — Sammy Sosa appeared to acknowledge using performance-enhancing drugs during a career in which he hit more than 600 home runs, and the Chicago Cubs said they were ready to welcome him back. Sosa says in a statement “there were times I did whatever I could to recover from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games.” He adds: “I never broke any laws. But in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize.” Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said the team plans to invite Sosa to the annual fan convention Jan. 17-19 in Chicago.