The average MLB salary "increased for the 13th consecutive year, but the rate of growth is slowing" even as industry revenues top the $10B mark, according to USA TODAY's annual survey. The average MLBer will make $4.47M in '17, which is "still a record -- but just a 1.6% increase" over the $4.4M mark last year. It is the "smallest bump since the last salary decrease" from $2.5M in '03 to $2.4M in '04, a 3% drop. Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw at $33M will be MLB's highest-paid player for the second consecutive year. The Dodgers also will "repeat as opening-day payroll kings," at $188M for their 25-man roster, plus the disabled list. However, their financial commitments will total more than $235M, as they are paying nearly $50M to players either released or in the minor leagues. At the "other end of the spectrum," the Padres will commit just $34.6M to their opening-day roster (USA TODAY, 4/3).
|
RANK
|
TEAM
|
PAYROLL
|
RANK
|
TEAM
|
PAYROLL
|
|
1
|
Dodgers
|
$187,989,811
|
16
|
Royals
|
$132,091,916
|
|
2
|
Tigers
|
$180,250,600
|
17
|
Astros
|
$127,443,900
|
|
3
|
Rangers
|
$178,431,396
|
18
|
Indians
|
$115,991,166
|
|
4
|
Giants
|
$176,531,278
|
19
|
Marlins
|
$115,348,302
|
|
5
|
Mets
|
$176,284,679
|
20
|
White Sox
|
$109,591,167
|
|
6
|
Red Sox
|
$174,287,098
|
21
|
Rockies
|
$101,513,571
|
|
7
|
Yankees
|
$170,389,199
|
22
|
Twins
|
$100,787,500
|
|
8
|
Cubs
|
$170,088,502
|
23
|
Pirates
|
$94,637,833
|
|
9
|
Nationals
|
$162,742,157
|
24
|
D-backs
|
$90,730,499
|
|
10
|
Blue Jays
|
$162,353,367
|
25
|
Phillies
|
$87,418,378
|
|
11
|
Orioles
|
$161,684,185
|
26
|
Reds
|
$82,375,785
|
|
12
|
Mariners
|
$155,207,720
|
27
|
A's
|
$70,601,667
|
|
13
|
Cardinals
|
$146,630,000
|
28
|
Rays
|
$69,982,520
|
|
14
|
Angels
|
$143,965,833
|
29
|
Brewers
|
$61,020,089
|
|
15
|
Braves
|
$137,339,527
|
30
|
Padres
|
$34,574,400
|
|
RANK
|
PLAYER
|
SALARY
|
|
1
|
Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw
|
$33,000,000
|
|
2
|
D-backs P Zack Greinke
|
$31,876,966
|
|
3
|
Red Sox P David Price
|
$30,000,000
|
|
4t
|
Tigers 1B Miguel Cabera
|
$28,000,000
|
|
4t
|
Tigers P Justin Verlander
|
$28,000,000
|
|
6
|
Cubs RF Jason Heyward
|
$26,055,288
|
|
7
|
Angels 1B Albert Pujols
|
$26,000,000
|
|
8
|
Mariners P Felix Hernandez
|
$25,857,143
|
|
9t
|
Cubs P Jon Lester
|
$25,000,000
|
|
9t
|
Yankees P CC Sabathia
|
$25,000,000
|
