MLB
What are the salary payrolls of Yankees, Dodgers, Mets and Guardians? Which players earn the most?
With the World Series in sight, the payrolls of the last remaining teams in MLB 2024 is examined.
The 2024 Major League Baseball Championship Series are set. The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians will face off for the American League pennant, while the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets will battle for the National League title.
Does MLB payroll value win titles?
Recently, teams that have made significant investments haven’t won the World Series. Looking at the data since the covid-19 shortened season in 2021, even with the luxury taxes that organizations pay, the winning Atlanta Braves had the 13th highest payroll; in 2022, the Houston Astros won with the ninth largest payroll; and in 2023, the Texas Rangers claimed the title with the eighth largest payroll.
For 2024, however, three of the highest payrolls are in the Championship Series. The Mets are number one with $350.2 million, followed by the Dodgers with $339.8 million, and the Yankees with $314.6 million. The exception here are the Guardians, who invested only $140.3 million in player salaries this year.
Which MLB Championship Series players have the highest salaries?
There are few players with salaries above $30 million, but the Yankees have four of them: Aaron Judge ($40 million), Gerrit Cole ($36 million), Giancarlo Stanton ($32 million), and Juan Soto ($31 million).
The other New York team, the Mets, only pays one player more than $30 million. The Puerto Rican infielder Francisco Lindor received an adjusted salary of $34.1 million in 2024, which accounts for 14.26% of MLB’s luxury tax threshold. The Mets’ problem is the $30.8 million they owe to Max Scherzer and $28.33 million to Justin Verlander.
The Dodgers’ highest-paid active player is Mookie Betts, earning $30 million. However, their injured pitchers contribute significantly to the payroll: Tyler Glasnow ($17.5 million), Clayton Kershaw ($7.5 million), and Tony Gonsolin ($5.4 million). Additionally, they owe $9 million to Jason Heyward, who finished the season with the Astros.
Lastly, the Guardians have one of the most owner-friendly payrolls, with only one salary over $15 million in 2024. Third baseman José Ramírez received $17 million this season. Injured pitcher Shane Bieber, who missed the remainder of the season, earns $13.1 million. Additionally, they owe $8.5 million to Jean Segura, now with the Baltimore Orioles, and $6.7 million to Scott Barlow, who was designated for assignment.