In N.Y., Joel Sherman reported the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox and Angels went over the $189M luxury tax threshold in '15, the "first time in the 13-season history" of the tax that four teams went above the mark. The Dodgers' payroll is "just under" $300M, but it is "close enough that awards bonuses might just nudge them over." This is the second straight year the Dodgers have exceeded the limit, meaning they "will be taxed at 30 percent for all money spent" over $189M. That comes to around $33M. The Yankees sit slightly above $240M, but because they have been "over for four consecutive years," they will pay the top rate, 50%, "for everything over the threshold." The team's total tax will be around $25.5M (NYPOST.com, 11/9).
GOING ONCE: In Minneapolis, Phil Miller notes the Nexen Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization "accepted the Twins' bid" of $12.85M for the "exclusive right to negotiate" for 1B Byung-ho Park. Park "hit 53 home runs for Nexen last season, and 52 the year before." The Twins "pounced when Park made himself available last month" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/10). In St. Paul, John Shipley notes the Twins "have an exclusive 30-day negotiating window for Park." Their bid "was accepted but does not guarantee a deal." If a pact "is not secured," the Twins get their money back (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 11/10).
FISH FACTS: In Ft. Lauderdale, Craig Davis wrote the Marlins "are latecomers to the analytics carnival but have begun a shift." President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill "recently pointed to building an analytics department as the No. 2 priority of the offseason behind the manager search, which was achieved with hiring Don Mattingly." The Marlins have had Dir of Baseball Operations Dan Noffsinger "working on statistical analysis of player performance." The plan is to "create an analytics department of three or four headed by Noffsinger." Marlins President David Samson said that the "intent to rely more on analytics figured in the process of interviewing managerial candidates" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 11/9).
HOME BREW: The Brewers yesterday announced that the club "will have 14 all-fan giveaways" for '16. In Milwaukee, Tom Haudricourt noted the promotions include "six bobbleheads, a Bob Uecker talking alarm clock, and the addition of three new all-kid giveaways." In addition, the Brewers "will have 'Free-Shirt Fridays' for the third straight season." Seven different T-shirts "will be given away throughout the season, including one at every Friday home game at Miller Park from June through August" (JSONLINE.com, 11/9).
