The Rays would be the lowest ranked payroll (26th) to win a WS. The Brewers would be 2nd lowest (19th).

posted by u/RaveDesigner · 2026-10-21 20:41 UTC

Since at least free agency (1977).

Opening day rankings. Rays would be 28th in final payroll according to Sportrac.

The 2003 Marlins are the lowest ranked at 25th.

According to payroll ranks: AP and Cot’s Baseball Contracts via Baseball America (1992-2023); AP (2024-26); Baseball Prospectus and Fueled by Sports (1977-91).

## Top comments

1. u/AutoModerator · 2026-10-21 20:41 UTC

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2. u/Jacoblaue · 2026-10-21 20:45 UTC

Where were the 2015 Royals ranked

3. u/RaveDesigner · 2026-10-21 20:47 UTC

17th

4. u/scandinavianleather · 2026-10-22 01:57 UTC

they even had a higher salary than the Mets team they beat, which is hard to imagine today.

5. u/Suns_Snakes · 2026-10-21 21:35 UTC

So what you are saying is this year is an anomaly and everyone is overreacting and forgetting the top spending teams have been trending further and further from the bottom teams for a decade now? Mmmm 🤔 I’m still going to choose to ignore the facts and say having more money isn’t an advantage.

6. u/NackoBall · 2026-10-21 21:56 UTC

More money is obviously an advantage, but so much of one that it is impossible for teams to compete.

7. u/steven1907 · 2026-10-21 21:45 UTC

Kinda a metaphor for the overall economy as well if you think about it

8. u/NortherLights4975 · 2026-10-21 23:17 UTC

Haha…you’re kidding right? If not, you need to look at sports deeper

9. u/MilwaukeeMan420 · 2026-10-21 23:33 UTC

Brother that was obvious sarcasam

10. u/NortherLights4975 · 2026-10-22 00:23 UTC

My deepest apologies, you have defeated my sarcasm sensor

11. u/Lenny_III · 2026-10-21 22:36 UTC

For context, the 2003 Marlins squad was full of players acquired in the post 97 firesale. That team had one of the highest payrolls in baseball.

It’s definitely an anomaly.

12. u/ImproperlyRegistered · 2026-10-21 22:54 UTC

So in three years all of their players will be in LA or New York, they'll tank for a couple of seasons, then have high draft picks and repeat?

13. u/Fluffy_Corgi_7209 · 2026-10-21 21:16 UTC

Once every ten years

14. u/Darksoul2693 · 2026-10-21 21:42 UTC

Living in Florida , the 2003 was fun. Almost caught the first at bat foul either game 4/3 idr from Soriano. Also met Mike Tyson at the game. Was a time. I got interviewed from a New York news station for having on yankee Marlins attire on. Was a lil jit. Thanks pops

15. u/Willing-Zone8881 · 2026-10-21 23:14 UTC

What a time that must have been. I’m from Miami and we were going crazy down here

16. u/RaveDesigner · 2026-10-21 23:05 UTC

That's pretty sweet!

17. u/Particular_Sir7440 · 2026-10-21 22:23 UTC

What about the 2015 royals?

18. u/OrganicValley_ · 2026-10-21 21:16 UTC

I’d love to know what team has the lowest of all-time. Did the 1903 Boston Americans even get paid?

19. u/Ladybug_Fuckfest · 2026-10-21 21:27 UTC

They were paid in moist snuff and second-hand penny-farthing bicycles.

20. u/NortherLights4975 · 2026-10-21 23:19 UTC

Moist snuff was to die for. The dry stuff in summer was brutal