The Los Angeles Dodgers have been scrutinized for their deferrals over the past few offseasons. The Dodgers have deferred more money than any team in Major League Baseball history has, and it’s caused an uproar among fans and players around the league.
However, every team in baseball has the same opportunity the Dodgers do to spend money and defer contracts. Perhaps a team like the Milwaukee Brewers can’t spend as much as Los Angeles, but they have the same ability to defer contracts.
While there are pros and cons in doing so, some players believe it’s the right thing to do from their perspective.
Not only would they still get paid during their playing days, but they’d also receive a check when they retire.
For Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman, that was part of why he decided to take deferrals in his contract.
He also noted the tax benefits of doing so. ”
A big part of it is just the way that the payments are spaced out,” Edman said, according to Valentina Martinez of Dodgers Nation.
“Kind of allows me to maximize certain things like, just tax benefits and things like that. And then also with the deferrals, too, it is nice that I’ll be getting paid beyond just my playing career as well.
“So you know, there’s definitely benefits to both aspects, both the payments upfront and then the deferrals. So it’s kind of just smart business and smart for the team and smart for players as well.”
The new CBA will either eliminate deferrals or more teams will start to follow the Dodgers’ direction.
If a ball club has money to spend and wants to try to build the best possible roster, giving players deferrals could be a must in the future.
