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 The New York Yankees, once again, ended the year with highest player payroll in MLB posting $220,024,917 for their 40-man roster that won the 2009 World Series. The high player payroll figure means that for the seventh consecutive year, the Yankees will pay into the Luxury Tax (see Yankees Hit With Luxury Tax Bill of Nearly $26 Million for8 2009), but was 1.12 percent lower than their 2008 end-of-year figure. The payroll figure for the Yankees eclipsed the second highest figure by their cross-town National League neighbors the New York Mets, who had an end of year player payroll figure of $142,229,759. The difference between the Yankees and Mets of $77,795,158 was higher than 11 of the clubs in the league spent at the end of the 2009 season.
In a sign that the economy was in play, the 30 clubs spent $2,913,904,332 on player payroll, an increase of just 1.19 percent from the $2,879,357,538 spent on player payroll at the end of the 2008 season.
Based upon reports, the total amount spent on player payroll accounts for 52 percent of the $6.5 billion in revenues the league pulled in this year.
Big gainers from 2008 to 2009 included the Rays ($71,222,532, up 39.60 percent), Marlins ($37,532,482, up 38.99 percent) and 2008 World Series Champion Phillies ($138,286,499, up 22.75 percent)
On decliners, the divorce of Moores greatly impacted matters with the San Diego Padres. The club posted an end of year payroll of $43,210,258, down 39.32 percent from $71,212,182 figure at the end of the 2008 season. Other double-digit decliners included the Mariners ($102,343,617, down 15.04 percent), Blue Jays ($84,130,513, down 14.45 percent), and Reds ($72,693,206, down 12.3 percent). In terms of the Mariners, the shedding of payroll is key to their flexibility this off-season.
Sixteen of the 30 clubs had end of year player payroll increases over the year prior.
Select Read More to see complete end of year salary details for each of the 30 clubs in MLB, including last year’s figures, and the percentage of increase or decrease
| 2009 End of Year MLB Player Payroll |
| Team |
2009 |
% (+/-) |
2008 |
| Yankees |
$220,024,917 |
-1.12% |
$222,519,480 |
| Mets |
$142,229,759 |
-1.70% |
$144,693,962 |
| Cubs |
$141,632,703 |
8.52% |
$130,508,691 |
| Red Sox |
$140,454,683 |
-4.50% |
$147,075,645 |
| Tigers |
$139,429,408 |
2.37% |
$136,198,404 |
| Phillies |
$138,286,499 |
22.75% |
$112,654,711 |
| Dodgers |
$131,507,197 |
4.48% |
$125,864,496 |
| Angels |
$121,947,524 |
-4.83% |
$128,142,467 |
| Astros |
$108,059,086 |
7.85% |
$100,189,948 |
| White Sox |
$105,287,384 |
-7.35% |
$113,641,026 |
| Cardinals |
$102,678,475 |
-6.65% |
$109,989,046 |
| Mariners |
$102,343,617 |
-15.04% |
$120,456,113 |
| Braves |
$100,078,591 |
8.20% |
$92,494,314 |
| Giants |
$95,202,185 |
15.99% |
$82,074,873 |
| Brewers |
$90,006,172 |
-0.35% |
$90,324,347 |
| Rockies |
$84,450,797 |
12.91% |
$74,791,621 |
| Blue Jays |
$84,130,513 |
-14.45% |
$98,343,520 |
| Royals |
$81,917,563 |
18.21% |
$69,297,547 |
| Orioles |
$79,308,066 |
0.53% |
$78,888,250 |
| Rangers |
$77,208,810 |
-1.82% |
$78,640,138 |
| Indians |
$77,192,253 |
-1.87% |
$78,663,582 |
| D-Backs |
$73,800,852 |
-8.89% |
$80,998,526 |
| Twins |
$73,068,407 |
12.25% |
$65,096,667 |
| Reds |
$72,693,206 |
-12.30% |
$82,886,440 |
| Rays |
$71,222,532 |
39.60% |
$51,020,720 |
| Nationals |
$69,321,137 |
16.12% |
$59,699,668 |
| Athletics |
$61,688,124 |
11.71% |
$55,223,294 |
| Pirates |
$47,991,132 |
-5.46% |
$50,764,410 |
| Padres |
$43,210,258 |
-39.32% |
$71,212,182 |
| Marlins |
$37,532,482 |
38.99% |
$27,003,450 |
Source: The Associated Press
Final 2009 payrolls for the 30 major league teams, according to information received by clubs from the commissioner's office. Figures are for 40-man rosters and include salaries and pro-rated shares of signing bonuses, earned incentive bonuses, non-cash compensation, buyouts of unexercised options and cash transactions. In some cases, parts of salaries that are deferred are discounted to reflect present-day values.
 Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.
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