[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.]
The Nationals are one of the hottest teams in the league and their Cost ranking has moved up in the past week from 16 to 13. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have dropped 7 in a row (thanks for the distraction, Grimsley) and have dropped to 6th.
** all $ are in millions.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | 2006 Payroll | GP | Wins | YTD Payroll | Cost/Win | |
| 1 (1) | Marlins | $15.0 | 60 | 23 | $5.56 | $0.24 | |
| 2 (2) | Rockies | $41.1 | 62 | 30 | $15.74 | $0.52 | |
| 3 (3) | Devil Rays | $35.4 | 63 | 26 | $13.77 | $0.53 | |
| 4 (6) | Pirates | $40.2 | 64 | 25 | $15.90 | $0.64 | |
| 5 (5) | Reds | $59.5 | 63 | 36 | $23.13 | $0.64 | |
| 6 (4) | D’backs | $59.2 | 63 | 34 | $23.03 | $0.68 | |
| 7 (7) | Indians | $56.8 | 62 | 30 | $21.74 | $0.72 | |
| 8 (9) | Brewers | $56.8 | 64 | 30 | $22.44 | $0.75 | |
| 9 (8) | Rangers | $65.5 | 63 | 34 | $25.46 | $0.75 | |
| 10 (13) | A’s | $62.3 | 63 | 32 | $24.24 | $0.76 | |
| 11 (11) | Blue Jays | $71.9 | 61 | 34 | $27.08 | $0.80 | |
| 12 (10) | Tigers | $82.3 | 63 | 40 | $32.01 | $0.80 | |
| 13 (16) | Nationals | $63.3 | 64 | 30 | $24.99 | $0.83 | |
| 14 (12) | Padres | $69.7 | 63 | 32 | $27.12 | $0.85 | |
| 15 (15) | Twins | $63.8 | 62 | 28 | $24.42 | $0.87 | |
| 16 (14) | Cardinals | $88.4 | 62 | 37 | $33.85 | $0.91 | |
| 17 (17) | Orioles | $72.6 | 64 | 29 | $28.68 | $0.99 | |
| 18 (18) | Mets | $100.9 | 62 | 39 | $38.62 | $0.99 | |
| 19 (19) | White Sox | $102.9 | 62 | 38 | $39.37 | $1.04 | |
| 20 (20) | Phillies | $88.3 | 63 | 33 | $34.33 | $1.04 | |
| 21 (22) | Dodgers | $99.2 | 63 | 35 | $38.57 | $1.10 | |
| 22 (21) | Giants | $90.9 | 63 | 32 | $35.34 | $1.10 | |
| 23 (23) | Royals | $47.3 | 61 | 16 | $17.81 | $1.11 | |
| 24 (25) | Astros | $92.6 | 64 | 32 | $36.56 | $1.14 | |
| 25 (27) | Mariners | $88.3 | 65 | 31 | $35.44 | $1.14 | |
| 26 (24) | Braves | $92.5 | 64 | 30 | $36.53 | $1.22 | |
| 27 (26) | Red Sox | $120.1 | 61 | 36 | $45.22 | $1.26 | |
| 28 (29) | Cubs | $94.8 | 62 | 26 | $36.30 | $1.40 | |
| 29 (28) | Angels | $103.6 | 62 | 27 | $39.66 | $1.47 | |
| 30 (30) | Yankees | $198.7 | 61 | 35 | $74.80 | $2.14 |
