[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 Twins and the Royals are moving up in the Cost Index rankings after going 9-1 and 7-3 respectively. It’s too late for the Royals but Minnesota could become a playoff team with a low payroll. Well… at 9.5 games out, maybe not. But it beats being the Royals.
** all $ are in millions.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | 2006 Payroll | GP | Wins | YTD Payroll | Cost/Win | |
| 1 (1) | Marlins | $15.0 | 72 | 32 | $6.67 | $0.21 | |
| 2 (2) | Rockies | $41.1 | 75 | 38 | $19.04 | $0.50 | |
| 3 (3) | Devil Rays | $35.4 | 76 | 33 | $16.62 | $0.50 | |
| 4 (5) | Reds | $59.5 | 76 | 41 | $27.91 | $0.68 | |
| 5 (6) | A’s | $62.3 | 75 | 41 | $28.85 | $0.70 | |
| 6 (7) | Brewers | $56.8 | 76 | 37 | $26.64 | $0.72 | |
| 7 (4) | Pirates | $40.2 | 77 | 26 | $19.12 | $0.74 | |
| 8 (12) | Twins | $63.8 | 74 | 39 | $29.15 | $0.75 | |
| 9 (8) | D’backs | $59.2 | 76 | 37 | $27.78 | $0.75 | |
| 10 (11) | Tigers | $82.3 | 76 | 51 | $38.61 | $0.76 | |
| 11 (9) | Rangers | $65.5 | 76 | 40 | $30.71 | $0.77 | |
| 12 (10) | Indians | $56.8 | 74 | 33 | $25.94 | $0.79 | |
| 13 (14) | Blue Jays | $71.9 | 75 | 41 | $33.29 | $0.81 | |
| 14 (13) | Padres | $69.7 | 75 | 39 | $32.28 | $0.83 | |
| 15 (20) | Royals | $47.3 | 74 | 24 | $21.60 | $0.90 | |
| 16 (15) | Nationals | $63.3 | 77 | 33 | $30.07 | $0.91 | |
| 17 (16) | Cardinals | $88.4 | 74 | 42 | $40.40 | $0.96 | |
| 18 (19) | White Sox | $102.9 | 75 | 49 | $47.63 | $0.97 | |
| 19 (18) | Orioles | $72.6 | 77 | 35 | $34.50 | $0.99 | |
| 20 (17) | Mets | $100.9 | 75 | 47 | $46.71 | $0.99 | |
| 21 (24) | Mariners | $88.3 | 77 | 38 | $41.98 | $1.10 | |
| 22 (23) | Giants | $90.9 | 75 | 37 | $42.07 | $1.14 | |
| 23 (22) | Astros | $92.6 | 76 | 38 | $43.42 | $1.14 | |
| 24 (25) | Dodgers | $99.2 | 75 | 40 | $45.92 | $1.15 | |
| 25 (21) | Phillies | $88.3 | 74 | 35 | $40.32 | $1.15 | |
| 26 (26) | Red Sox | $120.1 | 72 | 44 | $53.38 | $1.21 | |
| 27 (27) | Braves | $92.5 | 76 | 32 | $43.38 | $1.36 | |
| 28 (28) | Angels | $103.6 | 75 | 34 | $47.97 | $1.41 | |
| 29 (29) | Cubs | $94.8 | 74 | 28 | $43.32 | $1.55 | |
| 30 (30) | Yankees | $198.7 | 73 | 42 | $89.52 | $2.13 |
