A large number of major league teams continue to cut their opening-day payroll this season as the growth of player salaries reaches its lowest point since 2004, according to USA TODAY's annual salary survey.While many teams are busy cutting payroll, some teams aren't.
Fourteen of baseball's 30 teams enter the season with lower payrolls, based on documents obtained by USA TODAY from the Major League Baseball Players Association, clubs and MLB's central office. In 2009, the same number of teams cut opening-day payroll, however growth of the average annual player salary remained steady at 4% over the previous season. This year's 1% increase on player salaries -- to $3.27 million from $3.26 million -- is the smallest since 2004 when they decreased by 4%.
"The economy has affected all of us," said Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz, whose team lowered its payroll from a year ago to $84.4 million, a 13% decline. "It's a fact of life."
The New York Yankees retain their lead with a payroll of $206.3 million, a 2% increase, while their chief American League East rival, the Boston Red Sox, are second at $162.4 million, a 33% increase. The Yankees, whose payroll is nearly six times that of the Pittsburgh Pirates' $34.9 million, are led by third baseman Alex Rodriguez's $33 million salary. New York's starting infield will earn $85.2M, more than 16 teams.The article also mentions how the Twins have started to spend. They increased their payroll by 49%, spending a franchise-record $97.6 million, and that's before the Mauer deal. As a baseball town I respect Minnesota, and I'm glad to see them start spending. It will make things tougher for the rest of the AL, but it will good for baseball.
This article made me think of this song, which, as a Yankees fan, I'd like to dedicate to the rest of the league:
