GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Dodgers have won four straight NL West titles, the lone team in the majors to reach the playoffs in every one of those seasons, and are tied with the Cardinals for most victories in that period.

That epitomizes consistency and success, yet the Dodgers arguably face more stress this season than any team. Because really good is just not good enough.

This will be the fourth straight year the Dodgers have the majors’ largest payroll and – fair or not – the Yankees can explain the expectations that come with hauling around that distinction because they did it for the previous 14 seasons before the Dodgers usurped them.

The Yankees won championships during their payroll reign. The Dodgers have not captured a title since 1988. While that might not be the 1908 of the Cubs, Los Angeles fans and media impatiently wait for a parade as a return on an investment that now includes what is believed to be the highest-paid front office in history.

And if that is not enough stress points – Clayton Kershaw can opt out of his contract in two years. Tick, tock.

“I feel a lot of pressure for that [a championship] to happen, but mainly imposed on myself,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.

This is the third year Friedman and his phalanx of bright associates have been in charge, and he thinks his 2017 team is his best, saying “the depth of talent coupled with the changes that have taken place as far as culture has me more optimistic in mid-March than the past two years.”

The Dodgers might have the most depth in the game combined with a top-five farm system. Manager Dave Roberts, in his second year, has helped create a more positive vibe in a clubhouse known a few years ago for distance and disenchantment. And, of course, there is the money.

The Dodgers speak of getting more financially prudent, but spent $63 million more than any team in free agency, mainly to retain Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner, but also to keep Chase Utley for leadership while adding Franklin Gutierrez for a righty bat to counteract lefties and Sergio Romo to help set up Jansen. Again, Yankees officials could tell the Dodgers that the pull to keep winning usually trumps the desire to shrink payroll.

“When you look at this franchise, you know this team has not won the World Series since 1988, so obviously there are certain expectations,” Roberts said. “I feel I can speak for everyone in the clubhouse in saying: I think we have the talent and depth to be the last team standing in 2017.”

Above all the talent and depth is Kershaw, who perhaps was only kept from a fourth Cy Young Award last year due to a back ailment that limited him to 149 innings. He nevertheless finished fifth. The lefty still has not had a completely brilliant postseason, but the advantages the Dodgers have in simply getting to the playoffs annually owe much to his brilliance.

He can opt out of his seven-year, $215 million deal following the 2018 campaign with $65 million remaining. Julio Urias and prospects such as Yadier Alvarez and Walker Buehler offer optimism for a powerful future rotation. But there is no guesswork with Kershaw.

“The way we approach it and think about it is we want Clayton Kershaw to be a Dodger for as long as he is still playing and then stay involved when he is done playing,” Friedman said. “We want to have him around as long as we possibly can. That is a great goal for the Los Angeles Dodgers.”

The greater aim, though, is a title. Now. Friedman has taken grief in the past few years for – among other things – not keeping Zack Greinke or not using big prospects to land Cole Hamels. But he says there has been “less noise” as fans and media have seen protected players such as Urias and Corey Seager begin to thrive. The potential – with high-end youngsters and dollars – is there to fulfill Friedman’s vision of a recurring juggernaut with a chance to win annually.

But there is no title given for being good enough to win it. Only winning it.