In MLB, Spending Money Doesn’t Necessarily Buy Wins

BusinessSportsMoneyIn MLB, Spending Money Doesn’t Necessarily Buy WinsByDan Freedman,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dan Freedman is lawyer and IBWAA member who writes about baseball.Follow AuthorMay 27, 2026, 09:00am EDTThe Tampa Bay Rays are just one of many teams that are having a successful season with bottom-dwelling payrolls. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe MLB season is at the one-third mark, with nearly every team having 54 games in the books. The old adage in baseball is that you will win 54 games, you lose 54 games, and it is what you do with the other 54 that determines your season. Well, let’s take a look at who has done what over the first 54.As of Tuesday morning, the Tampa Bay Rays lead the vaunted American League East with a record of 34-17. According to Spotrac, the Rays have the third lowest payroll in baseball, at just under $110 million for competitive tax purposes.The New York Mets currently reside in the cellar of the National League East, with a record of 22-32. Spotrac reports that the Mets have a payroll of more than $381 million, which is second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers, true to form, are in first place in the National League West, two and a half games ahead of the San Diego Padres. The Padres have the seventh highest payroll at $258 million. But they are doing it without their big ticket players.Xander Bogaerts will make $25.45 million this season (as part of an eleven year, $280 million contract) and is hitting just .245 with a 95 OPS+; Manny Machado, in the middle of an 11-year, $350 million contract, is slashing .170/.265/.330; Fernando Tatís Jr., in the middle of a 14-year, $340 million contract, has yet to hit a home run. And pitcher Yu Darvish is getting paid $16 million, but has not yet suited up for the team this year. San Diego’s best player – by some distance – is closer Mason Miller, who essentially has been unhittable all season, and he is...