The wide range of advanced statistics available in today's game has changed the way talent is evaluated and teams are assembled across Major League Baseball.
The origins of that shift in philosophy can be traced back to the Moneyball days in the Oakland Athletics organization during the early 2000s.
Whether it's a small-market club trying to squeeze the most out of every spot on the roster or a large-market team with a seemingly endless cash flow, every dollar has to be spent with a clear purpose.
It's all about getting the most value out of players, from pre-arbitration guys contributing at a young age to big-money stars living up to their lofty paychecks.
Which club got the most value out of its roster in 2026?
Methodology
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There are a lot of numbers to digest here, so here's a quick explanation.
Total Net Value was the ultimate factor in determining where each team landed in the rankings and was calculated as follows:
Step 1: Find each player's WAR total for the 2026 season, courtesy of Baseball Reference.
Step 2: Based on the FanGraphs value metric, the market value of 1 WAR was once again right around $8 million. So each player's WAR from Step 1 was multiplied by eight to give us the player's 2026 value in millions of dollars.
Step 3: Each player's 2026 salary was then subtracted from his 2026 value, resulting in his 2026 net value. Player salaries came from the team pages of Spotrac.
Formula: (2026 WAR x 8) - 2026 salary = 2026 net value
After that, the cumulative net values of all players who were part of the MLB payroll at any point in 2026 were totaled to determine each team's total net value.
Included is a look at each team's five best and five worst values, along with a notable observation for each club's value breakdown.
For those of you looking for a complete picture of your favorite team, a link to a full breakdown in the form of a Google Sheets document can be found under the total net value for each club.
30. New York Mets
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Total Net Value: -$90.1 million
5 Best Values
- OF Carson Benge: $33.6 million
- OF A.J. Ewing: $24.2 million
- SP Nolan McLean: $23.2 million
- C Luis Torrens: $14.5 million
- SP Zac Thornton: $13.2 million
For a team that has tried and failed for years to throw money at free agents in hopes of buying a title, it's fitting that the three best values on the roster by a landslide were a trio of homegrown rookies. Will Carson Benge or Nolan McLean give Sal Stewart a run for his money in the NL Rookie of the Year race?
5 Worst Values
- 3B Bo Bichette: -$36.4 million
- 1B Jorge Polanco: -$31.2 million
- SP Kodai Senga: -$27.6 million
- OF Juan Soto: -$23.0 million
- 2B Marcus Semien: -$22.0 million
High-profile offseason additions Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, Devin Williams (-$20.0M), Luis Robert Jr. (-$9.9M) and Freddy Peralta (-$9.6M) contributed a combined $129.1 million in negative net value.
29. Toronto Blue Jays
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Total Net Value: -$44.8 million
5 Best Values
- RP Louis Varland: $28.0 million
- RP Spencer Miles: $18.4 million
- OF Nathan Lukes: $17.6 million
- OF Brett Bateman: $17.4 million
- SP Trey Yesavage: $15.2 million
Still pre-arbitration and making less than $1 million in 2026, closer Louis Varland was one of baseball's most dominant bullpen arms, posting a 1.27 ERA and 11.2 K/9 with 35 saves in 71 appearances. The lack of star power on this list speaks volumes to why Toronto ultimately fell short of expectations.
5 Worst Values
- 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: -$21.3 million
- SP José Berríos: -$18.0 million
- DH George Springer: -$17.7 million
- OF Jesús Sánchez: -$14.3 million
- RP Jeff Hoffman: -$11.4 million
In the first season of his massive 14-year, $500 million extension, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit .260/.332/.356 for a 90 OPS+ with just nine home runs in 609 plate appearances. Guerrero is still only 27 years old, so there's no reason to believe his power has simply dried up. His batted-ball metrics were also strong.
28. San Francisco Giants
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Total Net Value: -$29.2 million
5 Best Values
- DH Bryce Eldridge: $16.2 million
- 2B Luis Arraez: $15.5 million
- OF Drew Gilbert: $12.9 million
- SP Landen Roupp: $11.2 million
- IF/OF Casey Schmitt: $11.2 million
Young slugger Bryce Eldridge will not be arbitration-eligible for the first time until after the 2028 season, so he has a chance to dominate the best value spot for the foreseeable future. The 22-year-old had a 133 OPS+ and 17 home runs in 107 games.
5 Worst Values
- SP Logan Webb: -$12.6 million
- OF Jung Hoo Lee: -$12.4 million
- SP Tyler Mahle: -$8.6 million
- RP Ryan Walker: -$8.6 million
- OF Harrison Bader: -$7.5 million
If there's a glass-half-full takeaway for the Giants, it's the fact that Matt Chapman (-$3.4M) and Willy Adames (-$7.4M) managed to stay off the worst values list. They have a lot of money tied up in a few high-priced veterans, and they will need to earn their money to right the ship after a 97-loss season.
27. Philadelphia Phillies
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Total Net Value: $4.1 million
5 Best Values
- SP Cristopher Sánchez: $55.8 million
- SP Jesús Luzardo: $41.0 million
- RP Jhoan Duran: $19.7 million
- OF Derek Hill: $10.7 million
- RP Tim Mayza: $10.3 million
If not for the tremendous value that Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo provided while earning a combined $20.05 million and racking up 14.6 WAR, the Phillies' net value would look far worse than the already lackluster number that landed them in the No. 27 spot on this list.
5 Worst Values
- SS Trea Turner: -$28.1 million
- SP Taijuan Walker: -$22.8 million
- OF Adolis García: -$16.4 million
- C J.T. Realmuto: -$15.0 million
- RP José Alvarado: -$12.2 million
Shortstop Trea Turner has seven years and $190.9 million remaining on his contract, and he's coming off the worst season of his career with an 81 OPS+ and negative-0.1 WAR in 157 games. The Phillies have a lot of money tied up in aging veteran stars, and Turner is the face of that overarching issue.
26. Colorado Rockies
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Total Net Value: $11.4 million
5 Best Values
- 1B TJ Rumfield: $27.2 million
- C Hunter Goodman: $20.0 million
- RP Brennan Bernardino: $15.9 million
- OF Jake McCarthy: $13.7 million
- 3B Kyle Karros: $10.4 million
TJ Rumfield, Brennan Bernardino, Jake McCarthy and Tomoyuki Sugano (+$9.3M) were all low-cost additions for the Rockies on the trade market and in free agency, and they played a significant role in getting Colorado out of the red. They were No. 30 in these rankings a year ago, with a negative $155.9 million net value.
5 Worst Values
- DH Kris Bryant: -$26.0 million
- SP Michael Lorenzen: -$21.2 million
- SP Kyle Freeland: -$19.2 million
- OF Tyler Freeman: -$17.5 million
- 2B Edouard Julien: -$8.6 million
Kris Bryant last took the field in an MLB game on April 12, 2025, as chronic lumbar degenerative disk disease threatens to be a career-ending issue. The 34-year-old has two years and $54 million remaining on his seven-year, $182 million deal, and so far he has played 170 total games over the life of that contract.
25. Houston Astros
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Total Net Value: $17.4 million
5 Best Values
- DH Yordan Alvarez: $28.4 million
- SP Peter Lambert: $23.9 million
- 3B Isaac Paredes: $22.7 million
- SS Jeremy Peña: $20.1 million
- RP Steven Okert: $16.1 million
Peter Lambert spent the 2025 season pitching for the Yakult Swallows in the Japanese League and returned stateside last offseason in a move that generated few headlines. The 29-year-old ended up leading the Astros in innings pitched (155.2), strikeouts (154) and pitching WAR (3.1).
5 Worst Values
- 2B Jose Altuve: -$30.0 million
- SP Cristian Javier: -$20.2 million
- SP Lance McCullers Jr.: -$20.1 million
- SP Tatsuya Imai: -$14.8 million
- 3B Carlos Correa: -$11.1 million
A 0.0 WAR season from Jose Altuve made him one of the worst values in all of baseball as he plays out a five-year, $125 million deal. The front-loaded contract will see his cash payroll hit drop from $30 million in 2027 to just $10 million in 2028 and 2029.
24. Cincinnati Reds
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Total Net Value: $24.5 million
5 Best Values
- SS Elly De La Cruz: $44.0 million
- SP Chase Burns: $36.8 million
- IF Sal Stewart: $13.6 million
- C Tyler Stephenson: $13.2 million
- SP Andrew Abbott: $10.4 million
Elly De La Cruz, Chase Burns and Sal Stewart earned a combined $2.4 million in 2026, demonstrating the tremendous value of homegrown, star-caliber talent relative to high-priced veteran free agents. In his first year of arbitration, De La Cruz is projected to earn $7.9 million, which still would have netted $36.9 million in positive net value.
5 Worst Values
- SP Brady Singer: -$17.6 million
- 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes: -$12.6 million
- OF Noelvi Marte: -$12.6 million
- OF TJ Friedl: -$11.8 million
- SP Hunter Greene: -$11.2 million
With Brady Singer reaching free agency and TJ Friedl designated for assignment in September, the Reds are out from under two of the worst values on their 2026 roster. On the flip side, third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes is still owed $29 million over the next three years.
23. Los Angeles Angels
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Total Net Value: $44.1 million
5 Best Values
- SS Zach Neto: $37.5 million
- SP Reid Detmers: $31.0 million
- SP Walbert Ureña: $29.6 million
- SP José Soriano: $19.6 million
- OF Wade Meckler: $18.7 million
The Angels already traded one of their most valuable controllable assets when they flipped José Soriano to Toronto at the trade deadline, and they could aggressively shop Zach Neto and Reid Detmers this winter to continue jump-starting a long overdue rebuild.
5 Worst Values
- DH Jorge Soler: -$18.4 million
- SP Yusei Kikuchi: -$17.2 million
- RP Robert Stephenson: -$11.0 million
- IF Christian Moore: -$10.7 million
- C Logan O'Hoppe: -$9.8 million
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi was an All-Star in 2025 when he logged a 3.99 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 178.1 innings, but shoulder issues limited him to 14 starts in 2026. The 35-year-old will earn $21.225 million in the final year of his contract in 2027, but he has the potential to recoup some of his lost value with a clean bill of health.
22. San Diego Padres
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Total Net Value: $45.6 million
5 Best Values
- 1B Ty France: $34.0 million
- RP Mason Miller: $20.8 million
- SP Michael King: $17.4 million
- OF Jackson Merrill: $16.2 million
- OF Fernando Tatis Jr.: $14.4 million
The Padres cast a wide net last offseason with minor league deals, and they struck gold with the Ty France signing. A 2022 All-Star during his time in Seattle, the veteran first baseman posted a 139 OPS+ with 24 doubles, 21 home runs and 72 RBI in a 4.5-WAR campaign.
5 Worst Values
- SP Joe Musgrove: -$20.0 million
- SP Yu Darvish: -$15.0 million
- SP Casey Mize: -$12.2 million
- 2B Jake Cronenworth: -$11.2 million
- SP Nick Pivetta: -$11.0 million
Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish both spent the entire 2026 season on the sidelines, which is part of the reason the Padres made what turned out to be a disastrous move to acquire Casey Mize from the Tigers at the deadline. Expensive veterans Manny Machado (-$9.0M) and Xander Bogaerts (-$7.4M) avoided the worst values list.
21. Athletics
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Total Net Value: $50.9 million
5 Best Values
- 1B Nick Kurtz: $28.8 million
- 3B Zack Gelof: $27.2 million
- SP J.T. Ginn: $26.4 million
- OF Henry Bolte: $25.8 million
- C Shea Langeliers: $21.9 million
For an Athletics team that ranked 29th in the majors with a 5.61 ERA from the starting rotation, J.T. Ginn was one of the few bright spots. The 27-year-old had a 3.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 138.1 innings, carving out a rotation spot four years after he was acquired from the Mets for Chris Bassitt.
5 Worst Values
- SP Jeffrey Springs: -$14.5 million
- SP Luis Severino: -$12.0 million
- OF Carlos Cortes: -$12.0 million
- IF Max Muncy: -$10.3 million
- SP Luis Morales: -$9.5 million
A quality starter the last several seasons, Jeffrey Springs was shelled to the tune of a 6.18 ERA in 142.2 innings. After serving up an .861 OPS and 35 home runs to opposing hitters, he had his $15 million club option declined and might need to settle for a minor league deal this winter.
20. Seattle Mariners
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Total Net Value: $51.6 million
5 Best Values
- 2B Cole Young: $34.4 million
- OF Randy Arozarena: $30.0 million
- SP Emerson Hancock: $20.8 million
- OF Dominic Canzone: $20.8 million
- SP Logan Gilbert: $15.5 million
Elite defensive metrics (16 DRS) helped Cole Young log a 4.4-WAR season, as he hit .246/.312/.381 with 19 doubles, 17 home runs and 66 RBI in a roughly league-average offensive season. Can the M's find a way to replace free agent Randy Arozarena's offensive production and overall value impact?
5 Worst Values
- SP Luis Castillo: -$20.7 million
- 1B Josh Naylor: -$18.1 million
- OF Rob Refsnyder: -$14.3 million
- OF Taylor Ward: -$10.8 million
- SS Colt Emerson: -$9.8 million
The Mariners offloaded Luis Castillo at the trade deadline, and Taylor Ward was just an unsuccessful two-month rental, so Seattle has a chance to make a solid climb up the rankings next year. Brendan Donovan (-$1.8M) and Cal Raleigh (-$3.0M) are also capable of a significant value rebound.
19. Texas Rangers
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Total Net Value: $52.6 million
5 Best Values
- IF/OF Ezequiel Durán: $32.2 million
- OF Wyatt Langford: $27.2 million
- RP Jacob Latz: $20.0 million
- SP Cal Quantrill: $14.9 million
- 3B Josh Jung: $14.7 million
With a 2.13 ERA and 30 saves in 58 appearances, starter-turned-reliever Jacob Latz was one of the surprise breakout performers of the 2026 season. He earned an All-Star selection and anchored a bullpen that was expected to be a weakness, and with control through 2030, he is an extremely valuable player.
5 Worst Values
- SP Jacob deGrom: -$24.4 million
- SP Nathan Eovaldi: -$15.4 million
- RP Chris Martin: -$10.4 million
- RP Cole Winn: -$8.0 million
- IF Josh Smith: -$7.9 million
Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi produced a combined 2.9 WAR while earning $63 million in salary, putting them firmly atop the worst values list. As the Rangers look to get younger this offseason, one or both of those veteran starters could hit the trade block ahead of the final guaranteed year of their contracts.
18. New York Yankees
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Total Net Value: $59.6 million
5 Best Values
- SP Cam Schlittler: $55.2 million
- DH Ben Rice: $28.8 million
- RP Paul Blackburn: $22.7 million
- RP Brent Headrick: $20.0 million
- SP Ryan Weathers: $16.3 million
With Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and other veteran stars missing time to injury, AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler and 41-homer slugger Ben Rice stepped up in a big way for the Yankees in breakout seasons. The bullpen also got a major boost from Paul Blackburn (62 G, 1.69 ERA, 3.1 WAR) in his first season as a full-time reliever.
5 Worst Values
- DH Giancarlo Stanton: -$28.2 million
- OF Aaron Judge: -$24.8 million
- OF Trent Grisham: -$17.2 million
- 3B Ryan McMahon: -$16.0 million
- OF Cody Bellinger: -$15.7 million
A $25 million salary in 2027, of which $10 million will be paid by the Marlins, and a $10 million buyout on a 2028 club option are the only remaining financial obligations for Giancarlo Stanton. The Yankees are also shedding the $22.025 million that Trent Grisham earned on a qualifying offer, so there is some salary relief on the horizon.
17. Baltimore Orioles
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Total Net Value: $61.0 million
5 Best Values
- OF Colton Cowser: $19.2 million
- SP Brandon Young: $17.7 million
- SS Gunnar Henderson: $17.1 million
- IF Blaze Alexander: $14.4 million
- OF Taylor Ward: $13.0 million
While the best values list is lacking in high-profile talent outside of shortstop Gunnar Henderson, it's worth mentioning that Trevor Rogers (+$11.4M), Pete Alonso (+$8.2M) and Shane Baz (+$6.2M) all made positive value contributions. That was an especially promising result from Alonso in the first season of his five-year, $155 million deal.
5 Worst Values
- RP Ryan Helsley: -$14.8 million
- SP Chris Bassitt: -$13.7 million
- OF Tyler O'Neill: -$12.5 million
- RP Andrew Kittredge: -$12.5 million
- SP Dean Kremer: -$8.0 million
Signed to bridge the gap at the back of the bullpen while Félix Bautista continued recovering from shoulder surgery, Ryan Helsley made just 17 appearances and logged eight saves before he was sidelined with his own arm issues. The two-time All-Star exercised his $14 million player option for 2027.
16. Kansas City Royals
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Total Net Value: $73.2 million
5 Best Values
- SS Bobby Witt Jr.: $40.6 million
- C/DH Carter Jensen: $25.6 million
- OF Jac Caglianone: $24.8 million
- SP Michael Wacha: $16.4 million
- 1B Vinnie Pasquantino: $15.8 million
Carter Jensen (120 OPS+, 27 HR, 3.3 WAR) and Jac Caglianone (132 OPS+, 23 HR, 3.2 WAR) both delivered on their top prospect pedigrees with breakout seasons, giving the Royals a much-needed offensive boost alongside superstar Bobby Witt Jr.
5 Worst Values
- SP Seth Lugo: -$25.4 million
- RP Matt Strahm: -$17.9 million
- RP Carlos Estévez: -$14.1 million
- RP Alex Lange: -$13.0 million
- C Salvador Perez: -$10.5 million
Two years after finishing runner-up in AL Cy Young voting, and in the first season of a new two-year, $46 million deal, Seth Lugo had the worst ERA (5.17) of any qualified starter. He turns 37 years old later this month, and will be counted on to bounce back in 2027.
15. Atlanta Braves
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Total Net Value: $81.6 million
5 Best Values
- OF Michael Harris II: $32.8 million
- C Drake Baldwin: $30.4 million
- SP Chris Sale: $26.0 million
- SP Grant Holmes: $20.8 million
- SP Martín Pérez: $19.9 million
Grant Holmes (29 GS, 3.44 ERA, 151.2 IP, 2.7 WAR) and Martín Pérez (26 GS, 3.04 ERA, 142.0 IP, 2.9 WAR) were both instrumental in propping up an Atlanta starting rotation that was beset by injuries. Deadline pickup Tyler Mahle (+$10.8M) and Bryce Elder (+$8.8M) also provided solid value for a starting staff that was a surprise strength.
5 Worst Values
- SS Ha-Seong Kim: -$26.4 million
- SP Spencer Strider: -$21.6 million
- RP Aaron Bummer: -$15.7 million
- C Sean Murphy: -$14.2 million
- 3B Austin Riley: -$13.2 million
Rough seasons from Austin Riley and Ronald Acuña Jr. (-$1.8M) took a major bite out of Atlanta's offensive firepower, and there could be significant changes coming this offseason after the club's disappointing showing in the NLDS. The Braves exercised Acuña's $17 million club option for 2027 and hold a matching option for 2028.
14. Arizona Diamondbacks
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Total Net Value: $93.7 million
5 Best Values
- C Gabriel Moreno: $51.1 million
- SS Geraldo Perdomo: $35.8 million
- OF Corbin Carroll: $29.2 million
- 3B Nolan Arenado: $22.2 million
- SP Eduardo Rodríguez: $17.4 million
Gabriel Moreno became the fifth catcher in MLB history to win a batting title (.311 BA) while also winning his second career Gold Glove, and he did it while playing on a $2.55 million contract. The 26-year-old is controllable through 2028, but could be an extension candidate in the near future.
5 Worst Values
- SP Corbin Burnes: -$22.4 million
- SP Zac Gallen: -$21.6 million
- OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: -$18.6 million
- SP Merrill Kelly: -$16.6 million
- RP Paul Sewald: -$10.7 million
Even earning just $8 million in 2026 with a significant chunk of his salary deferred, Zac Gallen was still one of the worst values on the D-backs roster. The high-profile trio of Gallen, Corbin Burnes and Merrill Kelly earned a combined $47 million and produced negative-1.7 WAR.
13. Detroit Tigers
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Total Net Value: $112.5 million
5 Best Values
- SS/3B Kevin McGonigle: $56.0 million
- C Dillon Dingler: $32.8 million
- SP Keider Montero: $23.2 million
- SP Troy Melton: $21.6 million
- SP Casey Mize: $16.5 million
The four top values on the Detroit roster, along with outfielders Riley Greene (+$15.8M) and Max Clark (+$9.4M), represent the core the Tigers will build around going forward after a year of transition. The eight-year, $150 million extension that Kevin McGonigle signed in April could be one of the best bargains in baseball for years to come.
5 Worst Values
- SS Javier Báez: -$28.0 million
- SP Jack Flaherty: -$20.8 million
- RP Will Vest: -$12.0 million
- OF Matt Vierling: -$10.5 million
- DH Jahmai Jones: -$9.3 million
The Tigers are entering the final year of Javier Báez's six-year, $140 million contract, and through the first five years of that deal, he has tallied just 3.4 WAR over 544 games. He will earn $24 million in 2027, and will be a candidate to be released if there is not a clear role for him on the Opening Day roster.
12. Chicago Cubs
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Total Net Value: $115.5 million
5 Best Values
- OF Pete Crow-Armstrong: $72.5 million
- 3B Alex Bregman: $26.4 million
- OF Seiya Suzuki: $22.8 million
- RP Ben Brown: $16.8 million
- IF Pedro Ramírez: $12.2 million
With 9.8 WAR in a 40/40 season that is expected to end in NL MVP honors, Pete Crow-Armstrong provided the most net value of any player in baseball, and his six-year, $115 million extension immediately looks like a stroke of genius by the Cubs' front office.
5 Worst Values
- SP Jameson Taillon: -$24.8 million
- SP Edward Cabrera: -$15.7 million
- RP Phil Maton: -$10.3 million
- SP Jordan Wicks: -$7.6 million
- RP Caleb Thielbar: -$7.5 million
Veteran starter Jameson Taillon was released in the final season of his four-year, $68 million contract, so the worst value on the Cubs roster will no longer be on the books in 2027. The North Siders essentially need to rebuild their entire rotation, and how they spend that money will go a long way in determining where they fit in these rankings a year from now.
11. Minnesota Twins
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Total Net Value: $124.6 million
5 Best Values
- SP Taj Bradley: $34.4 million
- IF/OF Kody Clemens: $20.8 million
- 3B Brooks Lee: $19.2 million
- 2B/OF Luke Keaschall: $16.8 million
- C Ryan Jeffers: $15.7 million
The Griffin Jax-for-Taj Bradley trade at the 2025 deadline proved to be a win-win deal in 2026, with Jax helping to pitch the Rays to the World Series, while Bradley emerged as a controllable frontline arm in Minnesota. Still only 25, he went 12-6 with a 3.73 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 178.1 innings.
5 Worst Values
- SP Pablo López: -$21.5 million
- OF Matt Wallner: -$11.7 million
- SP Simeon Woods Richardson: -$10.7 million
- RP Justin Topa: -$6.7 million
- IF Tristan Gray: -$6.2 million
The Twins could have challenged for a top-10 spot in these rankings with a healthy Pablo López in the starting rotation. He missed the entire 2026 season recovering from UCL repair surgery with an internal brace and carries a $21.75 million payroll salary for 2027, the final year of his contract.
10. Los Angeles Dodgers
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Total Net Value: $148.8 million
5 Best Values
- DH/SP Shohei Ohtani: $49.2 million
- OF Andy Pages: $47.2 million
- SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto: $35.2 million
- 3B Max Muncy: $20.6 million
- SP Justin Wrobleski: $16.8 million
On a roster loaded with high-profile veteran talent, outfielder Andy Pages and left-hander Justin Wrobleski were first-time All-Star selections and key contributors to a 100-win NL West champion. With all of his deferred money, Shohei Ohtani carried a $2 million cash salary in 2026, which helped keep him atop the best value list.
5 Worst Values
- OF Kyle Tucker: -$49.4 million
- RP Edwin Díaz: -$25.7 million
- SP Tyler Glasnow: -$15.6 million
- RP Blake Treinen: -$7.8 million
- IF/OF Kiké Hernández: -$5.3 million
In the first season of his four-year, $240 million contract, and with a $55 million cash hit on the books, Kyle Tucker was a drain on the Dodgers' bottom line. He hit .233/.330/.385 for a 97 OPS+ with 17 home runs, 70 RBI and 0.7 WAR in 154 games.
9. St. Louis Cardinals
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Total Net Value: $158.3 million
5 Best Values
- 2B JJ Wetherholt: $35.2 million
- 1B Alec Burleson: $26.3 million
- OF Jordan Walker: $25.6 million
- C Iván Herrera: $22.4 million
- SS Masyn Winn: $20.8 million
The five players listed above represent the present and future offensive core of the Cardinals, and they racked up 17.1 WAR with four of them earning less than $800,000 and Alec Burleson the highest-paid of the bunch with a $3.3 million salary.
5 Worst Values
- RP Matt Svanson: -$10.9 million
- SP Matthew Liberatore: -$7.1 million
- 3B Nolan Gorman: -$5.1 million
- IF César Prieto: -$5.1 million
- RP Chris Roycroft: -$4.9 million
While several young players stepped forward with breakout seasons, Matthew Liberatore (31 GS, 5.23 ERA, 155.0 IP, -0.6 WAR) and Nolan Gorman (85 G, 66 OPS+, .184 BA, -0.3 WAR) failed to take a developmental step forward. Both players are arbitration-eligible this winter and look like potential non-tender candidates.
8. Washington Nationals
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Total Net Value: $165.0 million
5 Best Values
- SS CJ Abrams: $36.6 million
- OF James Wood: $28.8 million
- SP Cade Cavalli: $28.7 million
- SP Foster Griffin: $22.5 million
- SP Andrew Alvarez: $19.4 million
CJ Abrams and James Wood combined for 63 home runs and 8.8 WAR while earning just over $5 million total, helping to make the Nationals one of the highest-scoring offenses in baseball. An equally big takeaway was the breakout performance of a finally healthy Cade Cavalli, who earned himself a four-year, $47 million extension.
5 Worst Values
- SP Miles Mikolas: -$9.7 million
- RP Mitchell Parker: -$9.6 million
- RP Tom Cosgrove: -$8.3 million
- SP Zack Littell: -$7.9 million
- RP Gus Varland: -$7.7 million
Miles Mikolas (5.82 ERA, 116.0 IP) and Zack Littell (4.97 ERA, 112.1 IP) ate innings at a relatively low cost, and while the returns were lacking, there is value in absorbing some of the workload on a young staff. The Nationals have done a solid job keeping bad contracts off the books since the Patrick Corbin and Stephen Strasburg deals.
7. Pittsburgh Pirates
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Total Net Value: $181.4 million
5 Best Values
- 2B Brandon Lowe: $31.7 million
- SP Braxton Ashcraft: $27.2 million
- SP Paul Skenes: $25.3 million
- RP Yohan Ramírez: $20.8 million
- SP Jared Jones: $20.0 million
Brandon Lowe, Mason Montgomery (+$18.4M) and Jake Mangum (+$6.4M) were all acquired from the Rays in the three-team trade that sent Mike Burrows (-$8.6M) to the Astros—arguably the most successful deal of the 2025-26 offseason. Lowe is now a free agent, but Montgomery has emerged as the closer of the present and future.
5 Worst Values
- DH Marcell Ozuna: -$18.5 million
- SP Mitch Keller: -$15.7 million
- 1B/OF Ryan O'Hearn: -$12.5 million
- RP Dennis Santana: -$7.3 million
- OF Jhostynxon García: -$6.7 million
For a team that doesn't spend big, Marcell Ozuna (67 OPS+, 8 HR, -1.0 WAR) proved to be a disastrous addition on a one-year, $10.5 million deal that will also cost them a $1.5 million buyout on a 2027 option. On a positive note, that money is now off the books and available for further additions this winter.
6. Boston Red Sox
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Total Net Value: $184.9 million
5 Best Values
- OF Wilyer Abreu: $46.4 million
- OF Ceddanne Rafaela: $43.6 million
- 3B Caleb Durbin: $34.4 million
- SP Sonny Gray: $23.4 million
- 1B Willson Contreras: $22.8 million
Caleb Durbin, Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras were all offseason additions via trade to the Red Sox roster, and all three were 4-WAR players for a team that navigated significant injuries to reach the postseason. The two incumbents, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela, bolstered their tremendous value with Gold Glove defense.
5 Worst Values
- SP Garrett Crochet: -$32.0 million
- SS Trevor Story: -$23.4 million
- SP Patrick Sandoval: -$17.6 million
- DH Masataka Yoshida: -$12.4 million
- RP Justin Slaten: -$5.6 million
After a healthy, bounce-back season in 2025, Trevor Story struggled through yet another injury-plagued season. In the 64 games he did play, he posted a 75 OPS+ and 0.2 WAR, and his absence and lack of production created a significant hole at shortstop for much of the year. Will he be pushed to the side by top prospect Franklin Arias in 2027?
5. Miami Marlins
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Total Net Value: $190.4 million
5 Best Values
- SS Otto Lopez: $48.0 million
- IF/OF Javier Sanoja: $24.0 million
- 2B Xavier Edwards: $23.2 million
- SP Max Meyer: $21.4 million
- C Liam Hicks: $20.2 million
With 9.1 WAR and just $1.6 million in combined salary, the double-play tandem of Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez went a long way in vaulting the Marlins into the top five in these rankings. The decision to trade catcher Liam Hicks to Tampa Bay with four years of club control remaining is one the front office might regret.
5 Worst Values
- RP Pete Fairbanks: -$23.7 million
- SP Chris Paddack: -$10.2 million
- IF Leo Jiménez: -$7.1 million
- RP Tyler Zuber: -$6.9 million
- 1B Christopher Morel: -$6.6 million
Pete Fairbanks, Chris Paddack, Leo Jiménez and Christopher Morel are already off the Marlins roster, while Tyler Zuber is a clear non-tender candidate, so the Marlins have a path out from under their five worst values of the 2026 season. The front office has almost completely kept long-term financial commitments off the books, outside of Sandy Alcantara (+$6.2M) who provided positive value.
4. Chicago White Sox
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Total Net Value: $192.7 million
5 Best Values
- 3B Miguel Vargas: $42.4 million
- 2B Chase Meidroth: $35.2 million
- SP Sean Burke: $32.8 million
- OF Tristan Peters: $28.0 million
- RP Grant Taylor: $21.6 million
The White Sox's rise to contention was backed almost entirely by the development of their own in-house talent, with Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth, Tristan Peters and Sam Antonacci (+$19.3M) all posting a 110 OPS+ or better en route to a combined 16.0 WAR. Slugger Munetaka Murakami (+$1.4M) was also a net positive in total value.
5 Worst Values
- DH Andrew Benintendi: -$15.7 million
- SP Luis Castillo: -$15.0 million
- OF Austin Hays: -$8.0 million
- C Edgar Quero: -$6.9 million
- C Reese McGuire: -$5.2 million
Andrew Benintendi is entering the final season of his five-year, $75 million deal in 2027, and while he ranked as the worst value, he still posted a .240/.302/.413 line with 24 doubles, 15 home runs and 78 RBI. Trade deadline pickup Luis Castillo is owed $24.15 million in 2027, and he will look to bounce back from struggling to an 8.42 ERA in 31 innings after coming over in a trade with Seattle.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
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Total Net Value: $237.6 million
5 Best Values
- 3B Junior Caminero: $44.8 million
- SP Drew Rasmussen: $32.1 million
- SS Taylor Walls: $25.6 million
- OF Victor Mesa Jr.: $22.6 million
- SP Nick Martinez: $22.2 million
Victor Mesa Jr. and Nick Martinez proved to be two of the best pickups of the 2025-26 offseason, playing a key role in leading the Rays to a World Series appearance. It also speaks to just how valuable Taylor Walls is defensively at shortstop that he hit .222 with a 71 OPS+, yet he was still a 3.5-WAR player on his way to Gold Glove honors.
5 Worst Values
- RP Steven Matz: -$13.1 million
- SS Jorge Mateo: -$8.2 million
- RP Hunter Bigge: -$6.9 million
- 2B Gavin Lux: -$5.5 million
- RP Garrett Cleavinger: -$4.8 million
The two-year, $15 million deal to sign Steven Matz was a rare free agency misstep for the Rays, as he logged a 5.49 ERA and 5.02 FIP in 80.1 innings over 11 starts and 25 relief appearances. He is still owed $7.5 million next season, and his 3.95 ERA after the All-Star break should earn him a shot to bounce back.
2. Cleveland Guardians
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Total Net Value: $258.9 million
5 Best Values
- SP Parker Messick: $49.6 million
- OF Steven Kwan: $34.7 million
- OF Chase DeLauter: $27.2 million
- SP Gavin Williams: $24.0 million
- RP Cade Smith: $22.4 million
Homegrown talent is the lifeblood of the Cleveland organization, and they had three of the best rookies in the American League in Parker Messick, Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana (+$21.0M) who all ranked among the best values on the roster. Messick is an AL Cy Young finalist, meaning he will finish no lower than third in the balloting.
5 Worst Values
- 1B Rhys Hoskins: -$9.6 million
- C Bo Naylor: -$6.0 million
- RP Connor Brogdon: -$4.1 million
- RP Trevor Stephan: -$3.5 million
- RP Craig Yoho: -$3.4 million
Rhys Hoskins slugged 13 home runs and provided some pop after joining the Guardians on a minor league deal, so even the club's worst value was not a complete flop, though he did hit just .179 with a 31.5 percent strikeout rate. This club steers clear of almost all free agency spending, so it's not surprising there are few bad values on the roster.
1. Milwaukee Brewers
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Total Net Value: $275.3 million
5 Best Values
- 2B Brice Turang: $54.2 million
- SP Jacob Misiorowski: $51.2 million
- OF Jackson Chourio: $32.2 million
- OF Garrett Mitchell: $26.3 million
- SP Logan Henderson: $25.7 million
Brice Turang trailed only Pete Crow-Armstrong (9.8) and Cristopher Sánchez (8.1) with 7.3 WAR in 151 games, posting a 124 OPS+ with 37 doubles, 21 home runs, 100 RBI and 19 steals while again providing elite defense. His net value alongside NL Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski outpaced the entire roster of 15 teams.
5 Worst Values
- DH Christian Yelich: -$21.2 million
- SP Brandon Woodruff: -$14.0 million
- RP Angel Zerpa: -$7.5 million
- SP Dustin May: -$5.9 million
- RP Antonio Senzatela: -$5.9 million
Despite his team-worst value, Christian Yelich was named the first captain in Brewers franchise history in September before helping the team win its first World Series title. He hit .235/.315/.378 with 23 doubles, 12 home runs and 59 RBI during the regular season, and is still on the books for $26 million in 2027 and 2028.
25 Best Values in Baseball
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25 Best Values
1. OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC: $72.5 million
2. SS/3B Kevin McGonigle, DET: $56.0 million
3. SP Cristopher Sánchez, PHI: $55.8 million
4. SP Cam Schlittler, NYY: $55.2 million
5. 2B Brice Turang, MIL: $54.2 million
6. SP Jacob Misiorowski, MIL: $51.2 million
7. C Gabriel Moreno, ARI: $51.1 million
8. SP Parker Messick, CLE: $49.6 million
9. DH/SP Shohei Ohtani, LAD: $49.2 million
10. SS Otto Lopez, MIA: $48.0 million
11. OF Andy Pages, LAD: $47.2 million
12. OF Wilyer Abreu, BOS: $46.4 million
13. 3B Junior Caminero, TB: $44.8 million
14. SS Elly De La Cruz, CIN: $44.0 million
15. OF Ceddanne Rafaela, BOS: $43.6 million
16. 3B Miguel Vargas, CWS: $42.4 million
17. SP Jesús Luzardo, PHI: $41.0 million
18. SS Bobby Witt Jr., KC: $40.6 million
19. SS Zach Neto, LAA: $37.5 million
20. SP Chase Burns, CIN: $36.8 million
21. SS CJ Abrams, WAS: $36.6 million
22. SS Geraldo Perdomo, ARI: $35.8 million
23. 2B JJ Wetherholt, STL: $35.2 million
24. 2B Chase Meidroth, CWS: $35.2 million
25. SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, LAD: $35.2 million
25 Worst Values in Baseball
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25 Worst Values
1. OF Kyle Tucker, LAD: -$49.4 million
2. 3B Bo Bichette, NYM: -$36.4 million
3. SP Luis Castillo, SEA/CWS: -$35.8 million
4. SP Garrett Crochet, BOS: -$32.0 million
5. 1B Jorge Polanco, NYM: -$31.2 million
6. 2B Jose Altuve, HOU: -$30.0 million
7. DH Giancarlo Stanton, NYY: -$28.2 million
8. SS Trea Turner, PHI: -$28.1 million
9. SS Javier Báez, DET: -$28.0 million
10. SP Kodai Senga, NYM: -$27.6 million
11. SS Ha-Seong Kim, ATL: -$26.4 million
12. DH Kris Bryant, COL: -$26.0 million
13. RP Edwin Díaz, LAD: -$25.7 million
14. SP Seth Lugo, KC: -$25.4 million
15. SP Michael Lorenzen, KC/COL/TOR: -$25.3 million
16. OF Aaron Judge, NYY: -$24.8 million
17. SP Jacob deGrom, TEX: -$24.4 million
18. SP Lance McCullers Jr., HOU/MIL: -$24.2 million
19. RP Pete Fairbanks, MIA: -$23.7 million
20. SP Jameson Taillon, CHC/TOR: -$23.6 million
21. SS Trevor Story, BOS: -$23.4 million
22. OF Juan Soto, NYM: -$23.0 million
23. SP Taijuan Walker, PHI: -$22.8 million
24. SP Corbin Burnes, ARI: -$22.4 million
25. 2B Marcus Semien, NYM: -$22.0 million
MLB's All-Value Team
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Starting Lineup
C Gabriel Moreno, ARI: $51.1 million
1B Ty France, SD: $34.0 million
2B Brice Turang, MIL: $54.2 million
3B Junior Caminero, TB: $44.8 million
SS Kevin McGonigle, DET: $56.0 million
OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC: $72.5 million
OF Andy Pages, LAD: $47.2 million
OF Wilyer Abreu, BOS: $46.4 million
DH Shohei Ohtani, LAD: $49.2 million
Pitchers
SP Cristopher Sánchez, PHI: $55.8 million
SP Cam Schlittler, NYY: $55.2 million
SP Jacob Misiorowski, MIL: $51.2 million
SP Parker Messick, CLE: $49.6 million
SP Jesús Luzardo, PHI: $41.0 million
RP Louis Varland, TOR: $28.0 million
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