Luxury tax bill could exceed $ 13 million for Red Sox

NEW YORK – The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of paying a $ 13.05 million luxury tax for a season in which they risk missing the playoffs.

The payroll for the World Series champions for tax purposes increased from $ 239.7 million on opening day to $ 242.8 million on August 31, according to the Commissioner's calculations obtained by the The Associated Press.

Teams are allowed to reach $ 206 million before the entry into force of the luxury tax.

At the opening day, the Red Sox had to generate a tax of $ 11.76 million.

By entering Saturday, Boston (77-70) had 8 1/2 games to play for the second Wild Card AL with 15 games to play.

The Red Sox have sacked baseball president Dave Dombrowski last weekend.

Because the Red Sox exceed the luxury tax threshold for the second year in a row, they pay at a rate of 30% on the first $ 20 million exceeding $ 206 million and 42% on the next $ 20 million .

The Red Sox ended last year with a payroll of $ 239.5 million in luxury taxes, while the threshold was $ 197 million. And as they had surpassed the $ 40 million mark, their first draft pick this year was lost from 10 places to 43rd overall as a penalty.

The New York Yankees have the second highest tax burden, at $ 233.9 million, versus $ 225.9 million on opening day, raising their projected tax to $ 6.54 million. dollars, compared with $ 3.98 million. Because the Yankees have fallen below the tax threshold in 2018 for the first time since its launch in 2003, they are paying a 20% rate on the remaining $ 20 million and 32% on the $ 20 million following.

The Chicago Cubs rank third with $ 233.8 million, up from $ 229.9 million on opening day. Their projected tax went from $ 5.26 million to $ 6.34 million.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are under the threshold for the second consecutive season after spending five years in a row totaling a $ 150 million tax.

Three teams are about to impose their bills after only two last season (Boston and Washington). Houston is fourth this season with $ 202.7 million.

Final figures, including performance and award bonuses, will be calculated in December. The luxury tax payroll is based on the average annual value of the contracts of players on a list of 40 players and includes $ 14.5 million per team.