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FILE - In this March 2, 2018, file photo, New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton is congratulated after scoring on a single by Didi Gregorius during the fifth inning of a the team's baseball spring training game against the Atlanta Braves in Tampa, Fla. After last season the Yankees added the mightiest slugger in the major leagues, Stanton. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
FILE - In this March 2, 2018, file photo, New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton is congratulated after scoring on a single by Didi Gregorius during the fifth inning of a the team's baseball spring training game against the Atlanta Braves in Tampa, Fla. After last season the Yankees added the mightiest slugger in the major leagues, Stanton. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Report: Yankees Project to Have Lowest Payroll Rank Since 1992; Red Sox Top MLB

Kyle Newport
Mar 27, 2018

As many MLB teams made an effort to get under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold this offseason, the effects can be seen on Opening Day payrolls.

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com), the Boston Red Sox are projected to have the highest payroll in baseball at around $223 million. The San Francisco Giants ($203 million), Chicago Cubs ($183 million), Los Angeles Dodgers ($180 million) and the Washington Nationals ($180 million) round out the top five.

The New York Yankees come in at seventh with a projected payroll of $167 million, which, according to the AP, would be their lowest since the 2003 season.

While the Bronx Bombers' payroll may be down, it's all relative.

Masahiroย Tanakaย exercised the final three years and $67 million on his contract in November. The team also re-signed CC Sabathia and signed Neil Walker. And of course, the Yankees addedย $295 million manย Giancarloย Stanton.

It marks the end of a four-year run atop the payroll rankings for the Dodgers, who managed toย dump unwanted salaryย in December. It was just three years ago they set an MLB record with a $270 million Opening Day payroll.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago White Sox enter the season with the lowest projected payrolls, coming in at around $71 million.

Also of note, the average salary in 2018 will reportedly be $4.45 million.

Finding ways to get under the luxury-tax threshold was a top priority for many teams. Clubs that did so will have their tax rates reset, putting them in position to make a run at the star-studded 2018 free-agent class that includes Bryce Harper and Mannyย Machado.

Of course, teams' unwillingness to break the bank this winter had a negative impact on the free-agent market, with many players having to wait and ultimately sign lower-than-expected deals.

There are still two days between now and the first pitch of the season. There could still be some activity, but most teams know where they stand.

Brewers SHOCK Padres in Game 2 ๐Ÿ˜ฑ