Twins Payroll

by Jesse on Apr 2, 2008 4:13 PM EDT in News

Minnesota comes in near the low-end again after losing stars.

Even after significant raises for Joe Nathan, Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer, the Twins are spending less on their payroll in '08 than in '07. Losing mega-stars does that.

Rank	Team	2008 Salary
1	New York Yankees	$209,081,579
2	Detroit Tigers	$138,685,197
3	New York Mets	$138,293,378
4	Boston Red Sox	$133,440,037
5	Chicago White Sox	$121,152,667
6	Los Angeles Angels	$119,216,333
7	Chicago Cubs	$118,595,833
8	Los Angeles Dodgers	$118,536,038
9	Seattle Mariners	$117,993,982
10	Atlanta Braves	$102,424,018
11	St. Louis Cardinals	$100,624,450
12	Toronto Blue Jays	$98,641,957
13	Philadelphia Phillies	$98,269,881
14	Houston Astros	$88,930,415
15	Milwaukee Brewers	$81,004,167
16	Cleveland Indians	$78,970,067
17	San Francisco Giants	$76,904,500
18	Cincinnati Reds	$74,277,695
19	San Diego Padres	$73,677,617
20	Colorado Rockies	$68,655,500
21	Texas Rangers	$68,239,551
22	Baltimore Orioles	$67,196,248
23	Arizona Diamondbacks	$66,202,713
24	Minnesota Twins	$62,182,767
25	Kansas City Royals	$58,245,500
26	Washington Nationals	$54,961,000
27	Pittsburgh Pirates	$49,365,283
28	Oakland Athletics	$47,967,126
29	Tampa Bay Rays	$43,820,598
30	Florida Marlins	$21,836,500

In spite of ranking 24th of the 30 teams overall, their average salary of $2,487,311 comes in 20th. With nearly a 13% decrease from 2007, this is the Twins lowest Opening Day payroll since 2005. While in the last ten years the Yankee payroll has more than doubled, Minnesota's has more than tripled.

Year	Team Salary	MLB Rank
2008	$62,182,767	24/30
2007	$71,439,500	19/30
2006	$63,396,006	19/30
2005	$56,186,000	20/30
2004	$53,585,000	19/30
2003	$65,318,977	18/30
2002	$41,309,031	27/30
2001	$24,350,000	30/30
2000	$16,519,500	30/30
1999	$19,242,500	28/30

Just an interesting look. Happy Thursday, everyone.

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Comments

Sweet... we've got an outside shot at maybe paying less than a million bucks per win!

by Jon Marthaler on Apr 2, 2008 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

Now THAT.....

is EFFICIENCY.....

by Jesse on Apr 2, 2008 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

It's also interesting

to note that the MLB minimum salary in '99 was $200K. That's nearly doubled in ten years as well. Baseball is one helluva a racket.

by Jesse on Apr 2, 2008 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

Average Salary???

How are we 24th in team salary, but 20th in average salary? Do the payroll's not account for all 25 players for every team. If you divide each team total by the 25 players, they mathematically have to stay in the same order, greatest to least. My guess is maybe some teams are still paying to those not on the 25 man roster? If that's the case, then what 26th player are we paying to move us up 4 spots? Just curious how this all works.

by SDTwinsFan on Apr 2, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

This number...

...is a bit misleading. It either doesn't include Nathan's new contract which was signed late in spring training, or more likely the bonuses paid to Morneau and Cuddyer. With those added they move up into that #21-22 group

by roger13 on Apr 3, 2008 4:25 PM EDT reply actions