Payroll Minimum

You know its bad when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays - yes, the Devil Rays who are known for fielding an uncompetitive team year after year while management refuses to fork over money for talent... You know its bad when these hapless Devil Rays have a payroll TWICE as much as you.

Unbelievably, the Florida Marlins payroll this year is only 21 million dollars. Tampa Bay's payroll is almost 44 million. The Yankees payroll is 209 million dollars, nearly ten times that of the Marlins. Alex Rodriguez will make 28 million this year, 7 million more than the entire Florida roster.

Instead of complaining about the deep pockets of the Yankees, is it time to start complaining about the bottom end? Do we need to have some sort of minimum spending limit?

Here's what can happen if we don't: Let's say Florida has a spending budget of 80 million (which is about what Milwaukee and Cleveland spend, who are both in the middle of the chart.) Florida chooses to spend 20 million every year putting double A talent on the field while saving 60 million every year. Then six years later they reach into their 360 million savings account and buy all the best players and win a championship. The next year, they have a fire sale and let go of the payroll and start over.

Funny thing, that's exactly what Florida did after they won the World Series in 1997 and again six years later in 2003. Its a strategy that may work, but is that what we want? Is that good for the game?

Here is an idea for a rule. The ticket price amount should be in direct proportion to payroll. So if Florida management decides to spend only 21 million, then their ticket prices should be near zero. That way since you put a no-name product on the field (which most people will not spend money to see), you will at least try to fill up the stadium with people who otherwise would never go to a game except now that it is free. They can make money on concessions.