'Big Spender' is the theme music for MLB final 4 as high-payroll Mets, Yankees, Dodgers reach LCS

"Big Spender" is the theme music for baseball's final four.

The New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are in the League Championship Series with the sport's top three payrolls, joined by Cleveland at No. 23.

"You have to scratch and claw and match up and make moves, take shots and hope that it works," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. "Whereas for the other three teams, for the majorities, they set their lineup and go play."

The Mets-Dodgers National League Championship Series starting Sunday and the Yankees-Guardians American League matchup beginning Monday feature some of baseball's biggest stars in Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. Cleveland has the best closer in Emmanuel Clase and a top hitter in Jose Ramirez.

Playoff pairings bring to the forefront the question of whether spending equates to success.

"Obviously, spending more gives you a better chance — you're bringing in more players," Mets reliever Adam Ottavino said. "But obviously it hasn't always played out that way."

The Mets have the top payroll of $332 million US, followed by the Yankees at $311 million and the Dodgers at $266 million, according to Major League Baseball's latest projections (final figures aren't calculated until winter, after all bonuses have been determined). The Guardians are at $109 million.

"I'm not thinking about payroll," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I'm thinking about our 26 guys and beating the Mets. That's it."

Texas was sixth in payroll last year at $241 million when it won the World Series against Arizona, which was 20th at $129 million.

The only top spenders to win titles since the current luxury tax started have been the 2020 Dodgers, 2018 Red Sox