Which MLB Team Gets the Most out of Its Highest Paid Players

You've got to pay to play, or do you?  Is this a star-driven league like the NBA?  I examined the top five highest paid players for each team.  I calculated their combined salaries and their WAR (Wins Above Replacement).  

For those unfamiliar with this statistic, it is the amount of wins a player's production is responsible for above a replacement player (i.e. a minor-leaguer or dead-spot in a lineup or rotation).

Then I calculated that with the total amount of cash paid to the team's top five to determine which franchise gets the most out of its highest paid players.  Lost?  Don't worry, it'll make sense as you read through.  My findings were enlightening, check it out.

30. Baltimore Orioles

I don't know if people realize how big a mess the Orioles organization is. The O's only shell out 41.85 Million combined to their top five highest paid, but they get the lowest WAR and the lowest WAR per million spent.

They've tried spending big, they've tried spending little; nothing has worked. The team hasn't been to the postseason in 14 years and hasn't won a World Series in 28 years. It has been all downhill since majority owner Peter Angelos replaced Pat Gillick as GM in 1998.

Maybe if Roberto Alomar hadn't spat on John Hirschbeck or Jeffrey Maier left the damn ball alone, the team's fortunes would be different. Probably not; they just should have held on to Gillick to maximize their spending.

Best: Nick Markakis .287 BA, 13 HR, 57 RBI, .338 OBP

Worst: Luke Scott .220 BA, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 64 Games, .301 OBP

Brian Roberts .221 BA, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 6 SB, 39 Games, .273 OBP
Vladimir Guerrero .278 BA, 10 HR, 43 RBI, .311 OBP
Derrek Lee .246 BA, 12 HR, 41 RBI, .302 OBP

29. Seattle Mariners

Nintendo's team could use a power-up or secret code right now—somebody press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, B, A. The Mariners are spending $57.2 million on their top five. Ichiro, one of my personal favorites, leads the way unfortunately, raking in $18 million this year. While he is still a stellar defender, this stat line doesn't scream pay me almost $20 million a year: .267 BA, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 30 SB and a .306 OBP.

Furthering the Mariners miseries is the repercussions of taking Milton Bradley off the Chicago Cubs' hands. Bradley has been pretty nonexistent on the field as he deals with some personal problems. Seattle needs a change, and fast.

Best: Felix Hernandez 11-11 W-L, 3.38 ERA

Worst: Milton Bradley .218 BA, 2 HR, 13 RBI, .313 OBP in 28 games

Ichiro .267 BA, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 30 SB, .306 OBP
Chone Figgins .188 BA, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 11 SB, .241 OBP
Jack Wilson .249 BA, 0 HR, 11 RBI, .283 OBP

28. Minnesota Twins

Normally the Twins are the poster team for maximizing their spending. Not this year. With Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau both missing substantial time due to injury, the WAR report isn't too kind to the Twinkies. This could easily reverse next year with Mauer and Morneau healthy.

The Mauer signing was uncharacteristic of the Twins, but then again Mauer's situation is once in a lifetime. An extremely talented, safe native of St. Paul doesn't come around often, so the Twins splurged. Still, this is the type of situation the Twins have always been able to avoid because they generally keep it frugal.

Best: Michael Cuddyer .295 BA, 18 HR, 61 RBI, .360 OBP

Worst: Justin Morneau .219 BA, 4 HR, 25 RBI, .272 OBP in 62 Games

Joe Mauer .277 BA, 1 HR, 24 RBI, .340 OBP in 66 Games
Carl Pavano 6-9 W-L, 4.52 ERA, 2 CG
Joe Nathan 5.08 ERA, 11 Saves

27. Oakland Athletics

Moneyball isn't exactly working out right now in Oakland. The A's are keeping cost low for sure, as they have the 24th lowest payout to their top five compensated players, with no one making over $6 million in 2011. In this case, the A's have gotten what they paid for, as the team wins and top five WAR totals have been low or mediocre at best.

Billy Beane's attempt to get more for less is a big part of the context of this article. Still, when the best performance from your top five highest paid is Coco Crisp's .271, 5 HR, 38 RBI and 37 SB, the process isn't working.

Best: Coco Crisp

Worst: David DeJesus .231 BA, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 3 SB, .314 OBP

Mark Ellis .217 BA, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 62 Games, .253 OBP
Josh Willingham .248 BA, 20 HR, 69 RBI, .333 OBP
Brian Fuentes 4.07 ERA, 12 Saves

26. Washington Nationals

The Nationals are a team of the future; at least that is the way they are being built. Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper hold much of the franchise's fortunes in their young and unproven hands. Along with the youngsters, the Nationals shelled out $10.5 million to Jayson Werth for the 2011 season.

Well, Werth is having a horrible year, Strasburg is on the shelf and Harper is still in the minors, even though he isn't among the team's top five highest paid...yet.

Best: Jayson Werth .227 BA, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 14 SB, .332 OBP

Worst: Adam LaRoche .172 BA, HR, 15 RBI, .288 OBP

Ryan Zimmerman .300 BA, 8 HR, 29 RBI, .371 OBP in 64 games
Jason Marquis 8-5 W-L, 3.95 ERA
Stephen Strasburg Hasn't played in 2011

25. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels have been pretty big spenders in recent years. They are currently the victims of the worst contract in professional sports in Vernon Wells deal. Wells' deal is paying him $26 million this year. That hefty amount is only rendering this stat line: .201 BA, 17 HR, 46 RBI, .234 OBP.

Almost equally as fruitless is the $12 million paid to Scott Kazmir, who has appeared in one game this year with an ERA of 27.00. The Angels spend the 5th highest on their top five ($78.35 million) but the same group is 27th in the majors in WAR. Only Dan Haren's solid season (13-6 W-L, 2.98 ERA) saves them from the bottom of this list.

Best: Dan Haren

Worst: Vernon Wells

Scott Kazmir
Torii Hunter .259 BA, 17 HR, 64 RBI, 3 SB, .330 OBP
Bobby Abreu .252 BA, 6 HR, 45 RBI, 17 SB, .363 OBP

24. Pittsburgh Pirates

Usually the Pirates are exhibit A in the discussions about small market teams having trouble competing. For a while, it looked like they were going to be the story in the NL. Then the real Pirates showed up and order was restored.

This might be because secondary players—in terms of salary—were carrying the load. The top-five paid Pirates have not been impressive this year. None of them are breaking the bank of course, but the combined 78 games played by Chris Snyder (.271 BA, 3 HR, 17 RBI) and Ryan Doumit (.280 BA, 6 HR, 19 RBI) is still a low return on the $11.5 million invested in them.

Best: Pat Maholm 6-14 W-L, 3.66 ERA

Worst: Lyle Overbay .227 BA, 8 HR, 37 RBI, .300 OBP

Chris Snyder
Ryan Doumit
Kevin Correia 12-11 W-L, 4.62 ERA

23. Chicago White Sox

In two words I can explain why the White Sox are so low on this list: Adam Dunn (.168 BA, 11 HR, 40 RBI, .298 OBP). Maybe since the season's spendings have been so nasty, I can add two more—Alex Rios (.211 BA, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 10 SB, .253 OBP)—and make it a four-letter word.

Dunn's season is sure to qualify as one of the worst in the history of free agency. Rios has reverted to the guy Toronto gave up on when they let the Sox have him for a pair of tube socks and a bus pass.

It is sad for Sox fans if you think of what the team could be if they got anything from Dunn and Rios. Even so, the Sox are only five games behind the Tigers in the AL Central.

Best: Paul Konerko .315 BA, 28 HR, 84 RBI, .401 OBP

Worst: Adam Dunn

Jake Peavy 5-6 W-L, 5.06 ERA
Mark Buehrle 10-6 W-L, 3.14 ERA
Alex Rios

22. New York Mets

The Mets have tried to spend with the big boys, winning two major player sweepstakes over the past 10 years (Johan Santana ($21 million, 0 games played) and Carlos Beltran (19.3 million, .289 BA, 15 HR, 66 RBI, .391 OBP) before being traded to San Francisco). The Mets also snagged Jason Bay (.239 BA, 9 HR, 42 RBI, .322 OBP) despite interests from the league's big boys.

As you can see from the production, the Mets haven't exactly made hey with these signings. What is more troubling is the conundrum of whether to give Jose Reyes a similar deal.

Best: Carlos Beltran

Worst: Johan Santana

Jason Bay
David Wright .259 BA, 10 HR, 39 RBI, .349 OBP
Francisco Rodriguez 23 Saves, 3.16 ERA

21. Boston Red Sox

The "Carmines," as one of my favorite announcers would say, haven't seen much production from anyone in their top five paid except for David Ortiz (.300 BA, 24 HR, 79 RBI, .388 OBP) and Josh Beckett (10-5 W-L, 2.53 7 CG).

Their performances keep the Bosox from being much further down on the list. Still, considering their payout, the group is the second highest in the majors, the WAR per million spent is only an abysmal 24th. Thank God for Papi, Josh and teammates.

Best: Josh Beckett

Worst: John Lackey 11-9 W-L, 6.02 ERA

David Ortiz
Carl Crawford .248 BA, 7 HR, 38 RBI, 17 SB, .283 OBP
JD Drew 219 BA, 4 HR, 21 RBI, .317 OBP

20. Cleveland Indians

The Tribe started the season like gangbusters, but they have tailed off and the preseason favorite Tigers have taken control of the AL Central. The Indians are still in it however, despite the fact that their top five have not been big contributors for them.

Especially disappointing has been the ultra-talented but oft-injured Grady Sizemore (.237 BA, 10 HR, 29 RBI, .304 OBP in 61 games). Sizemore has Kenny Griffey's skill set with Kenny from South Park's luck.

Asdrubal Cabrera and "Super-Natural" Carlos Santana—not in the top five highest paid Indians—have saved the season and kept the Indians in contention.

Best: Grady Sizemore & Travis Hafner . 288 BA, 11 HR, 48 RBI, .368 OBP in 79 games

Worst: Fausto Carmona 6-12 W-L, 4.89 ERA

Shin-Soo Choo .246 BA, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 11 SB, .332 OBP
Chris Perez 27 Saves, 3.06 ERA

19. Chicago Cubs

When your two highest paid players are Carlos "Couch Time" Zambrano (9-7 W-L 4.82 ERA) and Alfonso Soriano (.243 BA, 20 HR, 58 RBI, .283 OBP), you know you're not getting a ton from the top. Compound that with the fact that their salaries total about $38 million; now you are wishing player contracts had a return policy.

As bad as that seems, at least the Cubs' top five have been healthy throughout the season and they were able to get prospects for Kosuke Fukudome (.273 BA, 3 HR, 13 RBI, .374 OBP). Jim Hendry paid the price for these signings earlier this week when he was dismissed as Cubs GM.

Best: Aramis Ramirez .297 BA, 23 HR, 77 RBI, .342 OBP

Worst: Alfonso Soriano

Carlos Zambrano
Kosuke Fukudome
Ryan Dempster 10-8 W-L, 4.61 ERA

18. Florida Marlins

When the player in your top five paid with the highest WAR has played only nine games (Josh Johnson (3-1 W-L, 1.64 ERA)), it doesn't say much for the other four guys.

Hanley Ramirez isn't going to want a chain commemorating his 2011 batting average (.243 BA, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 20 SB .333 OBP). He isn't having the type of year an $11 million man should have. Especially when that man likely had a hand in the departure of a good young manager in Freddy Gonzales.

Best: Josh Johnson

Worst: Javier Vasquez 7-11 W-L, 4.67 ERA

Hanley Ramirez
Ricky Nolasco 9-9 W-L, 4.25 ERA
John Buck .229 BA, 15 HR, 47 RBI

17. Kansas City Royals

The Royals are the saddest case in the majors in my opinion. They are working with about $47, trying to build a winner. Their total player payroll this season is just $4 million less than Alex Rodriguez' 2011 salary. Imagine trying to sell that product to the people of Kansas City.

That said, placing 17th here may not be that bad. The Royals' top five players are paid a total of $15.2 million. There are 26 players in the majors that will be paid more than that in 2011.

So you would think it would be easy to get a good return on investment, right? Well not exactly, the Royals top five have the 27th highest WAR, thus they are only 9th in WAR per million spent. Hello 17th place.

Best: Billy Butler .293 BA, 15 HR, 69 RBI, .369 OBP & Jeff Francoeur .275 BA, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 19 SB

Worst: Kyle Davies 1-9 W-L, 6.75 ERA

Joakim Soria 4.21 ERA , 51 Games, 22 Saves
Bruce Chen 8-5 W-L, 4.17 ERA, 17 Starts

16. San Diego Padres

The Padres season has been almost as ugly as those army fatigue alternate uniforms. Boasting possibly the most unrecognizable top five highest paid, true to form, most of them have played like Joe Schmoes. Maybe the statistic should be changed to WAP (Wins Above Padres).

One exception to this rule is Heath Bell (2.54 ERA, 33 Saves). He is an absolute stud out of the pen, but somebody has to get him the ball.

Best: Heath Bell

Worst: Ryan Ludwick .238 BA, 11 HR, 64 RBI, .301 OBP

Jason Bartlett .251 BA, 2 HR, 33 RBI, 22 SB, .314 OBP
Orlando Hudson .249 BA, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 16 SB, .341 OBP
Aaron Harang 11-3 W-L, 4.08 ERA

15. San Francisco Giants

The defending champs have had some bad luck this season, starting with Buster Posey's injury. Players like him help offset bad years from a team's top five. Without him, it has been a struggle to overcome Aubrey Huff (.245 BA, 11 HR, 53 RBI, .298 OBP) and Aaron Rowand's (.236 BA, 4 HR, 21 RBI, .278 OBP) subpar season.

The Giants are only 2.5 games out of first in the NL West but they are having a difficult time finding a lineup that works.

Best: Tim Lincecum 11-10 W-L, 2.53 ERA

Worst: Aubrey Huff

Barry Zito 3-4 W-L, 5.62 ERA, 9 Games
Aaron Rowand
Matt Cain 10-9 W-L, 2.86 ERA

14. Atlanta Braves

The Braves are probably locked into the wildcard unless they experience a Padre-like collapse over the remaining 35 games or so. Just when you thought Chipper Jones' (14 million, .275 BA, 12 HR, 56 RBI, .349 OBP) contract would start to feel like Vernon Wells, he has put together a decent season, considering his age.

If the Braves were getting more from Nate McLouth (.228 BA, 4 HR, 16 RBI, .344 OBP in 81 games), Derek Lowe (8-11 W-L, 4.23 ERA) and Dan Uggla (.228 BA, 27 HR, 62 RBI, .297 OBP), then the Phillies would probably be chasing them. Hit streak aside, if going one-for-four raises your batting average, you're not having an awesome year.

Best: Tim Hudson 12-7 W-L, 3.13 ERA

Worst: Derek Lowe

Chipper Jones
Dan Uggla
Nate McLouth

13. Houston Astros

The Astros are the worst team in the world. The team has been gutted of any major players besides Carlos Lee (.260 BA, 11 HR, 68 RBI, .320 OBP), who is at this point a major contract, not a major player.

Lee will be paid a whopping $19 million this year. Once known as "El-Cabayo" he is now more like El Jaca. Hunter Pence (.308 BA, 11 HR, 62 RBI, .356 OBP) is the main reason the Astros are this high, even for half a season. With him moved to Philadelphia, the near future in Houston is as bright as a 20-watt light bulb.

Best: Hunter Pence

Worst: Brandon Lyons 11.48 ERA, 4 Saves

Carlos Lee
Brett Myers 3-12 W-L, 4.72 ERA
Wandy Rodriguez 8-9 W-L, 3.50 ERA

12. Cincinnati Reds

Dusty and the boys haven't been able to build on their success from last year. Almost no production from Edinson Volquez and Aroldis Chapman—not part of the top five—hasn't helped.

Joey Votto (.320 BA, 20 HR, 73 RBI, .432 OBP) has been in MVP form but no other member of the five has been significant.

Best: Joey Votto

Worst: Bronson Arroyo 7-10 W-L, 5.28 ERA

Francisco Cordero 2.44 ER, 24 Saves
Brandon Phillips .286 BA, 11 HR, 64 RBI, 7 SB, .333 OBP
Scott Rolen .242 BA, 5 HR, 36 RBI, .279 OBP

11. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers spending has payed off well this year. The highest paid hitter (Miguel Cabrera ($20 million, .323 BA, 23 HR, 80 RBI)) and pitcher (Justin Verlander ($12.8 million, 18-5 W-L, 2.31 ERA, 204 K's in 202 IP)) are having MVP and Cy Young caliber seasons.

If the Tigers didn't have to carry Carlos Guillen (.207 BA, 2 HR, 11 RBI, .247 OBP in 22 games) and Magglio Ordonez (.228 BA, 4 HR, 23 RBI, .283 OBP in 74 games), they would probably be at or near the top of this list.

Best: Justin Verlander

Worst: Magglio Ordonez

Carlos Guillen
Victor Martinez .323 BA, 7 HR, 67 RBI, .372 OBP
Miguel Cabrera

10. New York Yankees

The Evil Empire opens the top 10. The fact that the Yankees pay out a mind-blowing $110.7 million to their top five while maintaining the 16th best WAR per million spent is amazing. The Yankees top five have the 4th highest WAR in the majors.

Alex Rodriguez (.295 BA, 13 HR, 52 RBI, 4 SB, .366 OBP) and his $32 million per year hasn't been completely fruitless, even with injuries limiting him to 80 games.

The Yankees win because they spend a lot, but as you can see, they get a lot in return.

Best: C.C. Sabathia 17-7 W-L, 2.96 ERA

Worst: AJ Burnett 9-9 W-L, 4.61 ERA

Alex Rodriguez
Mark Teixeira .252 BA, 33 HR, 94 RBI, .347 OBP
Mariano Rivera 2.30 ERA, 32 Saves

9. Philadelphia Phillies

The Philly five only has one member that isn't producing. Raul Ibanez (.236 BA, 16 HR, 65 RBI, .281 OBP) is having a subpar season, but he is older and the $12.1 million he is paid in 2011 is not that bad, considering the contract is coming to an end shortly.

Roy Halladay (15-5 W-L, 2.53 ERA, 7 CG), Ryan Howard (.256 BA, 26 HR, 96 RBI, .344 OBP) and Chase Utley (.282 BA, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 13 SB, .363 OBP) have been strong in 2011.

Best: Roy Halladay

Worst: Raul Ibanez

Ryan Howard
Roy Oswalt 5-7 W-L, 3.84 ERA in 15 games
Chase Utley

8. Toronto Blue Jays

The Jays' numbers are saved by the only player north of the border worth watching: MVP candidate Jose Bautista (.314 BA, 35 HR, 79 RBI, .453 OBP). How long will the Jays be able to keep Bautista away from the Yankees and Red Sox?

Best: Jose Bautista

Worst: Juan Rivera .243 BA, 6 HR, 28 RBI, .305 OBP in 70 games

Adam Lind .265 BA, 22 HR, 72 RBI, .309 OBP
Aaron Hill .227 BA, 6 HR, 45 RBI, 16 SB, .273 OBP
Frank Francisco 4.06 ERA, 10 Saves

7. Colorado Rockies

The Rocks have spent well and they unloaded Ubaldo Jimenez, who was clearly not the same pitcher he was last year. Jimenez was not among the top five paid Rockies. Two other pitchers—Jorge De La Rosa (5-2 W-L, 3.51 ERA in 10 games) and Huston Street (4.06 ERA with 29 saves)—are and they have had decent years, especially for pitching in Colorado.

Troy Tulowitzki (.307 BA, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 9 SB, .373 OBP) is one of the best young players in the majors and he is having another MVP caliber season. The Rockies are not getting much from anyone else beneath the top paid players, thus they are not contending.

Best: Troy Tulowitzki

Worst: Aaron Cook 3-7 W-L, 5.23 ERA

Todd Helton .310 BA, 13 HR, 63 RBI, .380 OBP
Huston Street
Jorge De La Rosa

6. Los Angeles Dodgers

Amidst the drama in the front office and divorce court, the Dodgers highest paid haven't been horrible. Matt Kemp (.317 BA, 28 HR, 90 RBI, 33 SB, .390 OBP) is the truth. He is headed for a 30-30 season and Hideki Kuroda (9-14 W-L, 2.88 ERA) has been solid despite his hard-luck record.

Rafael Furcal (.197 BA, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 5 SB, .272 OBP) was the biggest underachiever and the highest paid. He has been shipped to St. Louis. The Dodgers may be back in the postseason next year, even under corporate control.

Best: Matt Kemp

Worst: Rafael Furcal

Hideki Kuroda
Andre Ethier .295 BA, 10 HR, 51 RBI, .369 OBP
Ted Lilly 7-13 W-L, 4.54 ERA

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-backs have been extremely impressive, considering they are only paying $25.65 million to their top five highest paid, but they still enjoy the 10th highest WAR.

The bar isn't high considering the low salary, but Justin Upton's year alone (.300 BA, 25 HR, 75 RBI, 18 SB, .372 OBP) is worth about $13 million by MLB standards. If the D-backs were getting a better year from Joe Saunders (8-10 W-L, 3.91 ERA) they would likely be running away with the NL West.

Best: Justin Upton

Worst: Stephen Drew .252 BA, 5 HR, 45 RBI, 4 SB in 86 games

Kelly Johnson .208 BA, 18 HR, 49 RBI, .289 OBP
Joe Saunders
Chris Young .236 BA, 17 HR, 57 RBI, 17 SB

4. Milwaukee Brewers

This is the best Brewers season in a while and they are spending a little bit. If they hope to keep their core together—namely Prince Fielder (.302 BA, 27 HR, 90 RBI, .412 OBP) and Ryan Braun, who is not a top five paid Brewer—their payroll will increase even more.

The Brewers will likely win the NL Central as Rickie Weeks (.272 BA, 19 HR, 43 RBI, 9 SB, .346 OBP) is finally living up to the potential we've heard about and Zack Greinke (12-4 W-L, 3.92 ERA) is a true staff ace.

Beyond those three, the Brewers top five have all contributed.

Best: Prince Fielder

Worst: Zack Greinke

Randy Wolf 10-8 W-L, 3.30 ERA
Corey Hart .267 BA, 18 HR, 45 RBI, .348 OBP
Rickie Weeks

3. St. Louis Cardinals

Can the Cards keep Albert Pujols (.285 BA, 30 HR, 76 RBI, .354 OBP)? Should they keep Pujols? His contract demands are substantial, but needless to say, so is his talent.

Unfortunately, his age and injury past is concerning. It is hard to imagine a Cardinals team without him. In this era of team-hopping, he is the rare example of a player synonymous with one team.

Either way, it is clear "The Machine" has not been a one-man show this year, as the Cardinals top five paid have the highest WAR in the majors and the sixth highest WAR per million.

Matt Holliday (.305 BA, 18 HR, 64 RBI, .407 OBP) and Lance Berkman (.292 BA, 28 HR, 77 RBI, .405 OBP) have provided protection for Pujols like never before. Unfortunately he is having, by his standards, a down year.

Still the Cardinals are in contention because of their contributions.

Best: Matt Holiday

Worst: Chris Carpenter 8-8 W-L, 3.68 ERA

Matt Holiday
Kyle Lohse 11-7 W-L, 3.33 ERA
Lance Berkman

2. Texas Rangers

My pick to win it all this year, the Texas Rangers should be the new blueprint for building a winner. Nolan Ryan looks like a better owner than pitcher and that is pretty impressive.

They have overcome an injury to their best player, Josh Hamilton (.303 BA, 16 HR, 69 RBI, 7 SB, .347 OBP in 88 games), and every member in the top five has contributed.

The Rangers have the third highest WAR per million spent and the second highest WAR overall. A key to these numbers has been Adrian Beltre's (.276 BA, 20 HR, 76 RBI, .318 OBP) season. Many—cough-cough Lance Berkman—questioned his contract, but he has been solid.

Best: Ian Kinsler .242 BA, 18 HR, 56 RBI, 21 SB, .346 OBP

Worst: Josh Hamilton & Michael Young .341 BA, 10 HR, 85 RBI, .378 OBP

Adrian Beltre
CJ Wilson 12-5 W-L, 3.20 ERA

1. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are a miracle. Their WAR per million spent is astronomical. They pay out a minuscule $22 million to their top five highest paid, but they rake in the second highest WAR in the majors.

Thanks to Ben Zobrist (.283 BA, 15 HR, 70 RBI, 14 SB, .371 OBP) and James Shields (11-10 W-L, 2.83 ERA, 9 CG, 4 SHO, 184 IP), the Rays have been successful despite spending less. If not for those Red Sox and Yankees, this would be Moneyball 2.0.

Best: Ben Zobrist

Worst: Kelly Shoppach .179 BA, 7 HR, 18 RBI, .179 OBP

Johnny Damon .263 BA, 10 HR, 51 RBI, 11 SB, .316 OBP
BJ Upton .231 BA, 17 HR, 58 RBI, 24 SB, .309 OBP
James Shields

Conclusion

In closing, the spending is all about risk-reward, of course. A few clubs in the majors are able to absorb mistakes and still contend and win without it leading to fire-sales.

As I completed the research for this article it became more and more evident how baseball needs to do something to even the playing field.

Its like watching Northern Illinois compete in the same league as Oklahoma, only there aren't small bowl games to satiate some yearning for postseason play.

That said, I don't hate the Yankees and Redsox, they do whatever it takes to compete. If most Yankee and Redsox haters were honest with themselves, they'd admit, they wish their teams could and would do the same thing.

Until a change comes in the money structure, it will remain unbalanced. Some teams are gambling with matchsticks while others and risking gold.