Combined Payrolls Of The Last 9 World Series Matchups: How Dodgers, Blue Jays Stack Up

Baseball is a unique game full of odd history and unwritten rules which make it different from most other major US sports.

There is no running clock, only innings – which can lead to outrageously long games. Success is measured largely in series as opposed to single-game results. The regular season is longer than any other, lasting 162 games.

Another notable difference comes in the form of player payment. Unlike many professional leagues, Major League Baseball has no salary cap. Teams can spend as they see fit, though it can come at the expense of financial penalties should they cross certain thresholds.

As a result, team payrolls can often exceed $250-300 million.

Many of those top spenders reap the benefits. The postseason is typically littered with the league’s richest organizations. They have a much greater chance of reaching the World Series than their small market counterparts.

Combined MLB Payrolls In Last 9 World Series

That is again the case in 2025 with the Toronto Blue Jays facing off against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both clubs rank among the Top 5 in terms of total salary payroll.

Where does this year’s World Series match up with years’ past? We’ll take a look here.

2025: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers ($605 million)

Toronto and Los Angeles have payrolls that combine for more than $605 million. That is good for the top spot on this list.

The Dodgers own the league’s most expensive roster with salaries exceeding $350 million. Toronto, meanwhile, has a payroll that sits at $255,230,405. That ranks fifth in the MLB.

The spending has equated to on-field success. Los Angeles won 93 games in the regular season while Toronto went 94-68. Both have rolled through the postseason and now battle for a World Series title.

2024: Dodgers vs. Yankees ($582 million)

New York had the MLB’s second-highest payroll in 2024 at more than $315 million. The roster included the likes of Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton.

Los Angeles was a spot behind the Yankees at $266,640,208. That ranked third in Major League Baseball.

Both teams won 90+ games in the regular season before matching up in the World Series. The Dodgers won the title in five games.

2023: Diamondbacks vs. Rangers ($370 million)

The ’23 World Series matchup was on the lower end of this list, mostly due to one side of the title bout. Texas ranked near the top of the MLB in terms of payroll at $251,332,754. That was the fourth-highest salary total.

Arizona, however, was 21st in the league in spending. The Diamondbacks were behind 10 National League competitors, but it didn’t matter.

The club used its $119 million payroll to book a World Series ticket. It ultimately fell to the Rangers in five games.

2022: Astros vs. Phillies ($427 million)

Houston ranked eighth in the league in total payroll at just under $184 million. The team’s highest paid players included Jose Altuve and Justin Verlander.

Philadelphia came in even higher at north of $244 million led by the likes of Zack Wheeler, Nick Castellanos, and Noah Syndergaard. That was good for the fourth-highest total.

The less expensive roster won out in this case. After earning 106 victories in the regular season, the Astros beat the Phillies in the World Series set, 4-2.

2021: Astros vs. Braves ($347 million)

Again, this World Series matchup boasts a pair of Top 10 clubs in terms of payroll spending. The Astros came in at No. 4 in the MLB with a total salary of $194,222,042.

The Braves ranked 10th at $152,753,755.

Despite possessing the more expensive lineup, Houston fell to Atlanta in the final set. The Braves bested the Astros in six games to win their first title since 1995.

2020: Dodgers vs. Rays ($153 million)

The ’20 World Series is by far the lowest total on this list. It is the lone combination that failed to crack the $200 million mark.

Los Angeles did its part in carrying that load, boasting the top overall payroll of $125 million. That roster was bolstered by Clayton Kershaw and Mookie Betts.

Tampa, meanwhile, had just one player with a salary over $5 million. The total team payroll was just north of $28 million, ranking 28th in the MLB.

Money would win out in the end as the Dodgers beat the Rays in six games.

2019: Astros vs. Nationals ($339 million)

Houston and Washington ranked seventh and eighth, respectively, in terms of total payroll in 2019. Their roster spending differed by a $5 million margin.

The Astros came in at just over $167 million while the Nats sat at a little more than $172 million. That evenness made for a fantastic series.

Washington, led by Max Scherzer and Anthony Rendon, beat the Astros in seven games to win its first MLB title.

2018: Dodgers vs. Red Sox ($427 million)

This is the most high-profile matchup in terms of overall MLB ranking as the No. 1 and No.3 payrolls faced off in 2018. Los Angeles came in with the third-most expensive roster at just under $200 million.

Boston was spent the most with a total payroll of $227 million. That roster was led by David Price, who had a $30 million price tag.

The Red Sox’s investment eventually paid off in the form of a World Series title. Boston made light work of Los Angeles in five games.

2017: Astros vs. Dodgers ($398 million)

These two teams have been featured more than anyone else on this list. Their World Series success is no surprise given the willingness to spend for top talent.

In 2017, the Dodgers boasted the MLB’s highest total payroll at $259,302,593. The Astros were much further down the list in this particular season, though.

Houston ranked 17th with its payroll at $138 million. Despite the large discrepancy, the Astros won the World Series in seven games.