Free agent spending has been historically high this year. Steve Cohen has been front and center pushing the Mets’ payroll to an eye-watering half a billion dollars after luxury taxes (assuming their deal with Carlos Correa doesn’t also fall through!). This might make it seem like small market teams such as the Royals have no chance. But here’s the deal, it changes nothing.
When we throw terms like small market around, it helps to frame that. According to Forbes’ Business of Baseball list, if you break the teams into thirds by revenue it looks like this:
Small Market: Oakland, Toronto, Miami, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh, Kansas City Cincinnati, Arizona
Mid Market: Cleveland, Detroit, Minnesota, Milwaukee, San Diego, St.