Dodgers motto: Play now, pay later
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ signing of Will Smith to a $140 million, 10-year deal this week not only contributed to an impressive team for 2024.
It contributed to an impressive amount of cash under the bookkeeping header: Deferred.
The $50 million in deferred money that is part of Smith’s deal brings the amount of deferred compensation the team will owe players currently on the roster — players including Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts — to $915.5 million. The money is payable from 2034-43.
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Commissioner Rob Manfred says he hopes the sport’s gambling investigation of Ohtani will be short but he isn’t sure. MLB announced its investigation on March 22 after the Dodgers fired Ohtani’s interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well over $1 million. Ohtani said Monday he never bet on sports or knowingly paid any gambling debts accumulated by Mizuhara.
• In picking up the win Thursday against St. Louis, starter Tyler Glasnow improved to 28-16 since he was traded from the Pirates in 2018 as part of a deal in which Pittsburgh acquired Chris Archer.
• You know Hollywood is never far away when it comes to the Dodgers. On hand to announce the starting lineup at Dodger Stadium: Actor Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad” fame.
Yankees
Ace Gerrit Cole was placed on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Cole was shut down March 16. The earliest the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner can pitch in the major leagues is May 27.
Rangers
Texas raised the first World Series banner in the franchise’s 63-year history before its opener with the Chicago Cubs. Manager Bruce Bochy had these words of advice for his players: “I told them to take this in. Savor it. Not just tonight but the next game when you get the rings. Soak it in because it’s so hard to do.”
Rays
All- Star shortstop Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave through June 1 under an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ association while the investigation of him continues in an alleged relationship with a minor. Administrative leave is not disciplinary under the sport’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, and a player continues to be paid.