[The MLB Cost Index is a calculation of the amount each team pays for a win and the efficiency of the payroll that the GM has put together.]
Once the darlings and “great chance to repeat” team of baseball, the White Sox have fallen on rough times. 3-7 in their last ten has dropped them a few slots in the Cost Index. Of course, you’d still rather be a White Sox fan than a Cubs fan when it comes to payroll efficiency.. and recent championships.
** all $ are in millions.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | 2006 Payroll | GP | Wins | YTD Payroll | Cost/Win | |
| 1 (1) | Marlins | $15.0 | 54 | 20 | $5.00 | $0.25 | |
| 2 (2) | Rockies | $41.1 | 56 | 27 | $14.22 | $0.53 | |
| 3 (3) | Devil Rays | $35.4 | 57 | 23 | $12.46 | $0.54 | |
| 4 (4) | D’backs | $59.2 | 56 | 34 | $20.47 | $0.60 | |
| 5 (5) | Reds | $59.5 | 56 | 32 | $20.56 | $0.64 | |
| 6 (9) | Pirates | $40.2 | 57 | 21 | $14.16 | $0.67 | |
| 7 (7) | Indians | $56.8 | 56 | 28 | $19.63 | $0.70 | |
| 8 (10) | Rangers | $65.5 | 56 | 30 | $22.63 | $0.75 | |
| 9 (6) | Brewers | $56.8 | 57 | 26 | $19.98 | $0.77 | |
| 10 (8) | Tigers | $82.3 | 57 | 37 | $28.96 | $0.78 | |
| 11 (11) | Blue Jays | $71.9 | 55 | 31 | $24.42 | $0.79 | |
| 12 (13) | Padres | $69.7 | 56 | 30 | $24.10 | $0.80 | |
| 13 (14) | A’s | $62.3 | 57 | 27 | $21.93 | $0.81 | |
| 14 (12) | Cardinals | $88.4 | 56 | 35 | $30.57 | $0.87 | |
| 15 (15) | Twins | $63.8 | 56 | 25 | $22.06 | $0.88 | |
| 16 (17) | Nationals | $63.3 | 57 | 25 | $22.26 | $0.89 | |
| 17 (18) | Orioles | $72.6 | 57 | 26 | $25.54 | $0.98 | |
| 18 (19) | Mets | $100.9 | 55 | 33 | $34.26 | $1.04 | |
| 19 (16) | White Sox | $102.9 | 56 | 34 | $35.56 | $1.05 | |
| 20 (20) | Phillies | $88.3 | 56 | 29 | $30.51 | $1.05 | |
| 21 (23) | Giants | $90.9 | 56 | 29 | $31.41 | $1.08 | |
| 22 (21) | Dodgers | $99.2 | 57 | 32 | $34.90 | $1.09 | |
| 23 (25) | Royals | $47.3 | 54 | 14 | $15.76 | $1.13 | |
| 24 (22) | Braves | $92.5 | 57 | 28 | $32.53 | $1.16 | |
| 25 (24) | Astros | $92.6 | 57 | 27 | $32.56 | $1.21 | |
| 26 (26) | Red Sox | $120.1 | 54 | 33 | $40.03 | $1.21 | |
| 27 (27) | Mariners | $88.3 | 58 | 25 | $31.62 | $1.26 | |
| 28 (28) | Angels | $103.6 | 56 | 25 | $35.82 | $1.43 | |
| 29 (29) | Cubs | $94.8 | 55 | 22 | $32.20 | $1.46 | |
| 30 (30) | Yankees | $198.7 | 55 | 33 | $67.45 | $2.04 |
