Dodgers cut projected tax payroll

The Los Angeles Dodgers brought their projected 2018 payroll under the Us$197-million luxury tax threshold with the weekend trade that sent first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, oftinjured starting pitchers Scott Kazmir and Brandon Mccarthy and infielder Charlie Culberson to the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Matt Kemp.

Los Angeles will send Atlanta $4.5 million by May 1 as part of the trade announced Saturday, cutting its 2018 payroll for tax purposes by $25 million to about $181 million while increasing its 2019 payroll by $20 million.

The Dodgers rid themselves of three guaranteed salaries from next year’s tax payroll that totalled $49,554,483: Gonzalez at $22 million, Kazmir at $ 15,554,483 and Mccarthy at $12 million. Los Angeles acquired Kemp, a $ 20- million charge, along with the $4.5-million cash transaction.

That leaves Los Angeles with a projected luxury tax payroll that includes $ 122,969,286 for 10 signed players; an estimated $ 26 million for eight players eligible for salary arbitration; an estimated $ 10 million for the rest of its 40- man roster; $14,044,600 for benefits; and $8 million for the two cash transactions involving Kemp, including a $3.5-million charge for the December 2014 trade that sent him to San Diego.

Los Angeles must pay the Padres $600,000 on the first of each month from April through August and $500,000 on Sept. 1.