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MLB payrolls 2023: 9 things to know from annual survey of baseball's salaries
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- MLB payrolls 2023: 9 things to know from annual survey of baseball's salaries
The Major League Baseball season is just one week old, but so far, well, money isn't necessarily translating into victories.
The New York Mets , who have a record $353.5 million opening-day payroll, according to USA TODAY'S annual salary report, have a losing record (3-4) and are already 2 ½ games back in the NL East standings.
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The Tampa Bay Rays, who have the third-smallest payroll in baseball at $73.2 million, are baseball's lone undefeated team (6-0).
The teams with the four highest player payrolls this season – the Mets, Yankees , San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies – are off to a combined 11-14 start.
The teams with the four smallest payrolls this season – Oakland Athletics , Pittsburgh Pirates , Tampa, Baltimore Orioles – are off to a 15-9 start.
If the trends continue for another six months, MLB can disband its economic reform committee – but the reality is that the big spenders will be playing in October. The small-market teams, well, at least those outside Tampa and Cleveland will be staying home.
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"I think of it in terms of competitiveness, right?'' commissioner Rob Manfred told USA TODAY Sports before opening day. "I mean, our product is a simple product. We sell competition, that's what we sell. And I think that for owners, it's not so much, the "I can only spend $70 [million] and somebody spending $320 [million]. But it is the perception that's created by that disparity that, "My team somehow doesn't have a chance at the beginning of the year.' "
The Mets have MLB's highest payroll in 2023.
The disparity is almost comical, with 12 players on the Mets' opening-day roster earning at least $10 million a year, including four in excess of $20 million annually, excluding released infielder Robinson Cano's $24 million salary.
Oakland, with a $56.9 million opening-day payroll, doesn't have a soul earning more than veteran pitcher Trevor May 's $7 million salary. Pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander will earn a combined $86.6 million – $29.8 million more than the Athletics' entire team.
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Here are some of the intriguing money nuggets revealed in USA TODAY Sports' annual survey.
2023 MLB SALARIES: Database of every player on the opening day roster
Catcher | First baseman | Second baseman | Third baseman | Shortstop | Outfielder | DH | Starting pitcher | Relief pitcher
Highest-paid Angels player
Uh, not who you think.
It's third baseman Anthony Rendon , who has missed 219 games the past two seasons, is actually the Angels' highest-paid player this season at $38.571 million.
Yes, even more than Mike Trout ($37.116 million).
And yes, Shohei Ohtani ($30 million), too.
Most money paid for not playing
Trevor Bauer and Robinson Cano, each who were released by the Dodgers and Mets, respectively, and no longer are in the majors will earn a total of $42.5 million this year.
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The gift that keeps on giving
The Colorado Rockies are paying the St. Louis Cardinals $16.566 million this year for the right to have All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado play for the Cardinals.
Really.
The Rockies, as part of their original 2021 trade with the Cardinals, agreed to pay $51 million of Arenado's future contract if he didn't exercise either of the opt-outs in his contract.
Well, Arenado elected to stay put again this past winter instead of opting out, and the Rockies remain on the hook. They are paying virtually half of Arenado's 2023 salary this year.
They Rockies also are chipping in $5 million each of the next two years to watch Arenado play his way into Cooperstown.
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What a difference a decade makes
It was 10 years ago that the Houston Astros had the lowest opening-day payroll in baseball, $24.3 million, and they proceeded to lose 111 games, their third consecutive season losing at least 100 games.
These days, they have a $192 million payroll, fresh off two World Series championships and four American League pennants the last six years.
Ex-World Series heroes getting the minimum – and more
Jason Heyward , 2016 World Series champion: The Dodgers are paying only the minimum $720,000 while the Cubs are still paying him $21.28 million this year.
Mike Moustakas , 2015 World Series champion: The Colorado Rockies are paying the minimum $720,000 while the Cincinnati Reds are paying him $17.28 million this year.
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Eric Hosmer , 2015 World Series champion: The Cubs are paying the minimum $720,000 while the San Diego Padres are paying him $12.28 million this year, $12.26 million in 2024, and $12.24 million in 2025.
Most budget-friendly rotation
The Cincinnati Reds are paying a grand total of $5,562,500 for their entire starting rotation, with only Luis Cessa ($2.65 million) earning more than $730,000.
The Mets, in contrast, are paying $43.3 million apiece for co-aces Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.
Most money on the books
The Padres have $1.6 billion in salary commitments with Manny Machado (11 years, $350 million), Fernando Tatis (13 years, $340 million) and Xander Bogaerts (11 years, $280 million) tied up through 2033.
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Least money on the books
The Baltimore Orioles, Reds and Athletics don't have a single penny on the books after the 2024 season.
Going-away presents
Miguel Cabrera : His eight-year, $248 million contract expires after this season, but is owed $8 million next year once the Detroit Tigers decline his $30 million club option.
Joey Votto : His 10-year, $225 million contract expires after the season and is owed $7 million next year if the Reds don't pick up his $20 million option.
Follow Nightengale on Twitter: @Bnightengale
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB payrolls 2023: 9 things we learned from baseball's salary survey
