MLB Free Agency: Analyzing How Much Money Each Team Still Has Left to Spend

Christopher BenvieJun 7, 2018

Baseball fans have gotten a taste of what has been cooking on the hot stove thus far this winter.

We have witnessed history being made, as Zack Greinke signed a six-year, $147 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, making him the highest paid right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball history.

Other free agents such as Torii Hunter, Melky Cabrera, Mike Napoli and Brandon McCarthy have all found new homes as well.

Still, several big names remain on the market. That same market has its fair share of money left to be spent as well.

Here is a look into each team's 2012 MLB Opening Day payroll, as well as how much they have on the books for 2013 and their anticipated Opening Day payroll.

NOTE: 2012 team Opening Day payroll figures care of USA Today, while the 2013 current payroll obligations provided by Baseball Prospectus and the 2013 projections provided by Baseball Reference.

New York Yankees

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$197,962,289 with an average player salary of $6,186,321.

2013

The Yankees currently have $171.8 million on the books for 2013. Their highest-paid player heading into the season will once again be Alex Rodriguez, who will receive $29 million.

The team is still looking to add some help at third base, likely utilizing Rodriguez as their primary designated hitter, as well as a right fielder to replace Nick Swisher, though it does appear that they will be bringing back Ichiro Suzuki for that task, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

Their estimated payroll for 2013 is $188.8 million, giving them roughly $17 million left to play with.

Philadelphia Phillies

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$174,538,938 with an average player salary of $5,817,964.

2013

The Phillies currently have $136.5 million on the books for the 2013 season.

Their highest-paid player heading into the season is Cliff Lee, who will earn $25 million next season. While the team has been filling holes via the trade market, they still likely have to fill two outfield holes and add pitching.

It is also worth noting that the team will have to start the season without their starting catcher, Carlos Ruiz, who will face a 25-game suspension for using a banned stimulant.

Right now, the Phillies have $136.5 million tied up for 2013 and are expected to cap out at $150.3 million; leaving them roughly $13.8 million this winter.

Boston Red Sox

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$173,186,617 and an average player salary of $5,094,784.

2013

The Red Sox currently have $98.5 million locked up for 2013.

Their highest-paid player on the roster right now is John Lackey at $15,950,000.

While the team has addressed some of their needs by adding a handful of free agents, the team still needs to address starting pitching as well as one to two corner outfield positions, as Jonny Gomes will likely be a fourth outfielder.

The team is projected to spend $96.3 million. With that in mind, the team has already blown that estimation by $2.2 million.

It is the Boston Red Sox after all; there is no way, in my opinion, they'll have less than $130 million on the books for next season, giving them a more realistic $31.5 million left to spend.

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Washington Nationals v Los Angeles Angels

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Los Angeles Angels

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$154,485,166 with an average player salary of $5,327,074.

2013

The Los Angeles Angels currently have $99.7 million tied up for the 2013 season, led by Vernon Wells who will make $24.6 million.

To be clear, Vernon Wells will make more money next year than Albert Pujols and Mike Trout combined.

That being said, the Angels have seen their 2012 pitching staff become dismantled, having traded Ervin Santana, parted ways with Dan Haren and found Zack Greinke staying in L.A.—just with the wrong team, if you're an Angels fan.

However, after a few wise trades, the team is in a really good position heading into 2013, where they are projected to spend $120.5 million.

That gives the Halos $20.8 million in spending capital, theoretically.

Detroit Tigers

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$132,300,000 with an average player salary of $4,562,068.

2013

The Detroit Tigers have $110.2 million already allocated in salary for next season, led by the $23 million they will be shelling out for Prince Fielder.

The Tigers, like the Angels, don't really have to make a move if they do not wish to do so. Their team is already incredibly balanced.

It is worth mentioning that they will be getting Victor Martinez back healthy this season and have already added a quality bat in Torii Hunter.

That being said, the team's projected payroll is $140.6 million, giving them $30.4 million of available capital.

Texas Rangers

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$120,510,974 with an average player salary of 5,817,964.

2013

The Rangers have $88.5 million on the books already for 2013, despite the fact that they may have lost the services of Josh Hamilton.

That being said, Adrian Beltre, who established himself as the MVP of the team last season, is the highest-paid player on the roster as of now, making $16 million in 2013.

Texas, having lost the Greinke sweepstakes specifically, may look to trade for talent as opposed to sign players.

Their anticipated payroll for next season is $103.4 million, giving them some $14.9 million in wiggle room for the time being.

Miami Marlins

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$118,078,000 with an average player salary of $4,373,259.

2013

The Marlins have a whopping $21,075,000 locked up in salary for 2013 and Ricky Nolasco's $11.5 million accounts for 54.57 percent of it.

When looking at the Marlins and the magnitude in which they've sold off pieces, it is hard to imagine that they will hit the projected $40.9 million for this season.

If they do, that means the team would have to spend $19.8 million before Opening Day.

San Francisco Giants

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$117,620,683 with an average player salary of $3,920,689.

2013

The 2012 World Series champion San Francisco Giants have $99.9 million allocated toward defending their championship in 2013.

The leader in the clubhouse in terms of salary is Tim Lincecum, who will earn $22,025,000 next season.

The team has already brought back Marco Scutaro and Angel Pagan, two very key pieces in their 2012 championship run.

They have been projected to spend $123.1 million, giving them $23.2 million to play with—should they so desire.

St. Louis Cardinals

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$110,300,862 with an average player salary of $3,939,316.

2013

The St. Louis Cardinals currently have $93.8 million on the books for the 2013 season.

Left fielder Matt Holliday, being the highest-paid man on the roster, will earn $17 million.

The team finds themselves more than capable of entering the season with the roster they have constituted right now. With a deep pitching staff and extremely respectable lineup, little moves, if any, could be made.

That being said, the team is projected to open the season with a payroll of $108.7 million, giving them $14.9 million to do some grocery shopping with.

Milwaukee Brewers

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$97,653,944 with an average player salary of $3,755,920.

2013

The Milwaukee Brewers have $50.9 million tied up so far with $11 million of which going to Rickie Weeks.

Keep in mind that the contract extension signed by Ryan Braun won't really be felt until 2016, when he'll earn $19 million per season.

That being said, the Brewers appear to be in pretty good shape, unless they want to make a splash during free agency.

The team is projected to open up the season with $67.2 million in payroll, or another $16.3 million.

Of course, they could always overspend for a year or two of a certain sought-after center fielder...

Chicago White Sox

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$96,919,500 with an average player salary of $3,876,760.

2013

The White Sox have $102.4 million already on the books for 2013.

The leader in the clubhouse is John Danks, who will be earning $15.75 million this season. While the team already has a lot of money tied up, they could still be looking to make some upgrades in the infield, unless they feel Brent Morel is the third baseman of the future.

They are expected to open up the season at $115.8 million, allowing them roughly $13.4 million to address any concerns before the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$95,143,975 with an average player salary of $3,171,452.

2013

What a difference a year makes.

The Dodgers have $212,328,572 locked up in salary already this season—including Adrian Gonzalez, who will earn $21.8 million next season.

The team also has Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp both earning over $20 million next season and Zack Greinke taking home $19 million.

The projection for the Dodgers' Opening Day salary is $213.4 million, giving them only about $900k left to spend.

If you believe that's where they budget really is, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.

The reality is, you nor I have any idea where the spending will end for the Dodgers.

Minnesota Twins

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$94,085,000 with an average player salary of $3,484,629.

2013

The Minnesota Twins have $62.3 million locked up for their 2013 roster to date.

As one would assume, Joe Mauer has the highest salary of $23 million next season. While their expected payroll for 2013 is $71 million, the Twins really are at a crossroads. Should they continue to spend right now to build around Mauer?

If that is the path they choose, then $8.7 million won't get them a whole lot on the open market.

New York Mets

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$93,353,983 with an average player salary of $3,457,554.

2013

It is hard to decide which team is paying for a worse contract; the Los Angeles Angels with Vernon Wells or the New York Mets with Johan Santana and the $25.5 million they owe him in 2013.

That would equate to almost 37 percent of the team's allocated $69.2 million for next season.

Overall, the team is projected to spend $91.6 million by Opening Day, leaving them with $22.4 million to play with this winter.

It certainly was inspiring to see the team invest in David Wright, signing him through 2020.

Chicago Cubs

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$88,197,033 with an average player salary of $3,392,193.

2013

The Chicago Cubs have done a fine job eliminating bad contracts and have $65.1 million allocated towards their 2013 roster right now.

Of course, there is still one bad contract remaining, belonging to Alfonso Soriano.

His $19 million next season accounts for just about 30 percent of the team's payroll to date.

That being said, the team is projected to spend $79.5 million by Opening Day. That gives them $14.4 million to get there with.

Atlanta Braves

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$83,309,952 with an average player salary of $2,776,998.

2013

The Atlanta Braves have historically not been a team to overpay one given player. It is not in their business model.

Of the $56.8 million already on the books for 2012, their highest-paid player is Dan Uggla, who will earn $13.2 million.

The team has managed to address their major need in center field by signing B.J. Upton. Other than that, the Braves are a very well-balanced team.

Yes, they can tweak some things, but it seems far-fetched to think they'll hit $81.5 million as projected for Opening Day. That would result in $24.7 million in spending over the next couple of months.

Cincinnati Reds

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$82,203,616 with an average player salary of $2,935,843.

2013

The Cincinnati Reds have $75.1 million toward their 2013 roster already; their highest-paid player being All-Star first baseman Joey Votto who will earn $19 million.

As constituted, the Reds are well positioned to repeat their success from 2012 this season. They managed to bring back Jonathan Broxton and Ryan Ludwick.

They are projected to have spent $94.7 by Opening Day. That gives them $19.6 million in cash to improve upon an already impressive team.

Seattle Mariners

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$81,978,100 with an average player salary of $2,927,789.

2013

The Mariners have $50.6 million locked up for the 2013 season; $20.7 million going toward Felix Hernandez.

If ever 40 percent of a team salary was worth giving to a player, it would be for King Felix.

The team is expected to pay out $68.8 million by Opening Day, giving them roughly $18.2 million in spending money for the rest of the hot stove period.

Baltimore Orioles

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$82,428,999 with an average player salary of $2,807,896.

2013

The Orioles have $57 million on the books for 2013 with $15.35 million going toward Nick Markakis.

The team has a lot of expectations to live up to this season after an impressive 2012. As it stands, they are expected to spend $85.7 million by Opening Day.

With a $28.7 million gap between what has been spent and the projected payroll, the Orioles could still emerge as big spenders this winter.

Washington Nationals

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$81,336,143 with an average player salary of $2,623,743.

2013

The Washington Nationals hope to repeat the success they enjoyed in 2012, only with a better ending. The first step in doing so is acquiring the right talent.

Currently, the Nats have $79.9 million allocated to their 2013 roster with $16.5 going toward Jayson Werth.

As constituted, the Nats are in need of a fourth starter. With the team expected to open up the season with a payroll of $95.9 million.

$16 million should be more than enough to obtain that quality arm and then some.

Cleveland Indians

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$78,430,300 with an average player salary of $2,704,493.

2013

The Indians currently have $19.5 million allocated for 2013 with Asdrubal Cabrera leading the way.

He will be earning $6.5 million next season, where the Indians are expected to open up the season with $50.7 million on the books.

That gives them $31.2 million to play with.

Colorado Rockies

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$78,069,571 with an average player salary of $2,692,054.

2013

The Rockies currently have $57.4 million on the books for 2013, led by the $11 million owed to Jorge De La Rosa.

The team is expected to open up the season with a $71.3 million payroll, thus giving them $13.9 million left this winter.

Toronto Blue Jays

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$75,489,200 with an average player salary of $2,696,042.

2013

The Blue Jays have made some significant waves this winter, raising their payroll substantially from last season.

They already have $109.8 million committed for 2013 with $14 million going toward Jose Bautista.

They are expected to spend $112.7 million, giving them about $3 million left in spendable funds with little to no needs remaining.

Arizona Diamondbacks

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$74,284,833 with an average player salary of $2,653,029.

2013

The Arizona Diamondbacks have $71.2 million tied up for 2013 already. Both Miguel Montero and Heath Bell will be the high-earners, taking home $10 million each.

The D-backs are slated to open up the season with $78.6 million on the books, or another $7.4 million.

Tampa Bay Rays

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2012 Opening Day Payroll

$64,173,500 with an average player salary of $2,291,910.

2013

The Tampa Bay Rays have never been known for having a high payroll. Hence the $27 million on the books for 2013 right now versus an anticipated $49.2 million.

Evan Longoria is the highest-paid player this year, earning $6 million. That being said, the Rays do still have about $22 million left to spend.