The 2016 Major League Baseball Draft begins Thursday at 4:00 p.m. PT, with MLB Network providing exclusive coverage of the first two rounds. The 2016 MLB Draft continues on MLB.com on Friday (rounds three-10) at 9:30 a.m. PT, and Saturday (rounds 11-40) at 9:00 a.m. PT.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have three picks in the first round this year, and four selections within the top 65. Per MLB.com, they have a bonus pool of $9,336,500 to spend in 2016. That figure is the ninth-highest among all clubs, and most the Dodgers’ have had at their disposal under the system that was implemented in 2012.
Teams that spend up to five percent over the pool are taxed 75 percent on the overage; 5-10 percent over the pool results in a 75 percent tax on the overage, as well as the loss of the team’s first round pick (or highest pick) in the next draft.
If a team exceeds its limits by 10-15 percent, there’s a 100 percent tax on that overage, as well as losing the next year’s first- and second-round or top two picks.
A team that spends more than 15 percent faces a 100 percent tax on the overages and the loss of their first round (or highest) pick in each of the next two drafts.
It’s not uncommon for a club to exceed their bonus pool allotment by 4.99 percent or less as it only comes with a financial penalty. The Dodgers did so last year, and can spend up to $9,803,324 for the 2016 draft without forfeiting a pick.
