There's a major difference in spending between the MLB teams with the highest payrolls and the ones with the lowest. There's no real salary cap, which lets teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees spend big bucks on players. However, spending money doesn't always equate to wins.
This list is based on Spotrac's payroll list. Strangely, the Top 5 teams are all in the American League, while three of the bottom teams are in the National League. All player salaries refer to the money they get this year, not their cumulative salary. With that in mind, here are the five highest and lowest payrolls in the MLB for 2016.
Highest:
5. Los Angeles Angels - $176,703,618
For all their spending, the Angels have nothing to show. They have the third worst record in the MLB, and are just two games ahead of the Athletics for last in the AL West. Mike Trout isn't even the highest paid player: he's third among healthy players. Albert Pujols, Jered Weaver and the injured C.J. Wilson all make $20 million. There's also Josh Hamilton's $26.41 million salary the Angels are paying while he's with the Rangers.
4. Detroit Tigers - $197,053,877
The Tigers have spent, but are third in the AL Central. On the bright side, they're only 1.5 games back. Six players top $15 million, led by Miguel Cabrera's $28 million.
3. Boston Red Sox - $202,300,527
Unlike the rest of the teams in the Top 5, the Red Sox would make the playoffs if the season ended today. They're just one game back in the AL East and have the second best record in the AL. David Price is the highest paid player at $30 million.
2. New York Yankees - $229,533,757
The Yankees are known spenders, although they've cut back in recent years. Five players make over $20 million this year, and that include Mark Teixeira, who is on the DL. Their highest paid player is C.C. Sabathia and his $25 million salary. Despite spending, the Yankees are tied for last in the AL East. They're two games under .500.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers - $245,996,497
The Dodgers are spending more than anyone, and it's not really working out. They're in second in the NL West and if the season ended today, they wouldn't even get a wild card berth. They're paying $20.75 million this year to the recently cut Carl Crawford, the third largest salary on the team. Clayton Kershaw's salary of over $34.5 million is the most in the MLB.
Lowest:
5. San Diego Padres - $92,696,070
The Padres are last in the NL West and have one of the five worst records, so their payroll comes close to matching their level of play. Matt Kemp's $18.25 million and Melvin Upton's $16.05 million salary are the largest by a wide margin.
4. Oakland Athletics - $87,779,854
The A's have the fourth lowest payroll, and yet they're only two games back of the team with the fifth highest. But the A's are still in last place in the AL West. A large chuck of their payroll goes to Billy Butler and Coco Crisp, who both make at least $11 million.
3. Miami Marlins - $72,240,232
Limited payroll hasn't been a major problem for the Marlins this year. They're two games over .500 and in the mix for a playoff spot. Their highest paid player is Giancarlo Stanton, who makes $9 million. Only three players make more than $3.5 million.
2. Tampa Bay Rays - $69,622,973
Much of the Rays' salary comes from Evan Longoria's $12.1 million salary. With the low payroll, the Rays are in last in the AL East. However, they're only two games under .500 at the moment.
1. Milwaukee Brewers - $66,204,678
The Brewers are dead last in the MLB, and that includes $20 million going to Ryan Braun and $12.5 million to Matt Garza. Both could be traded this year, dropping the Brewers' payroll even further.