Colorado Rockies: Can they keep up with the Los Angeles Dodgers?

Last season, the Colorado Rockies finished the season with a 87-75 record and in third place in the National League West. They made the playoffs but they trailed the Los Angeles Dodgers by 17 games in the standings.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have proved time and time again that they are the team to beat in the NL West. They put up a 100+ wins this season and went on to the World Series. They also have won the National League West title for five consecutive seasons. In the front office, they have elites executives like their General Manager Farhan Zaidi and President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. The cards have been looking well for them for what seems like the longest time but will the Rockies be able to keep up the same pace?

The Payroll

The Dodgers spent $244 million on player salaries just this year, but with that comes the luxury tax. Even though that may be it doesn’t phase the Dodgers that much with all the talent they have. The highest paid Dodger is Clayton Kershaw, obviously, coming out to a whopping $215 million for 7 years. It’s a lot of money, yes, but Kershaw is most definitely worth it.

After Kershaw, there is the recently acquired Matt Kemp and closer Kenley Jansen. The common thing with all these men is that they’re all either 30 or older. This team has a lot of young talent, but the vets are the ones that are making bank.