[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.]
Well, we’re halfway through the season and here are the winners and losers in cost efficiency.
Winners:
Rockies, Reds, A’s, Tigers, Padres, Rangers. All of these ballclubs are in the top half of the Cost Index and all have a reasonable chance of winning their division or at least making the playoffs. Meanwhile, special mention goes to the Marlins who despite having a payroll less than a Yankee starter have managed to put up a respectable 38 wins so far.
Losers:
Phillies, Braves, and Cubs. All three are in the bottom 10 of the Cost Index and all three have no shot of making the playoffs. Special mention goes to the Angels who despite having the #3 payroll, are at the bottom of the wide open AL West. They spent $40M more than the A’s this year and trail the A’s by 2.5 games.
** all $ are in millions.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | 2006 Payroll | GP | Wins | YTD Payroll | Cost/Win | |
| 1 (1) | Marlins | $15.0 | 86 | 38 | $6.11 | $0.21 | |
| 2 (3) | Devil Rays | $35.4 | 89 | 39 | $17.52 | $0.52 | |
| 3 (2) | Rockies | $41.1 | 87 | 44 | $15.30 | $0.53 | |
| 4 (6) | Brewers | $56.8 | 90 | 44 | $17.39 | $0.67 | |
| 5 (8) | Twins | $63.8 | 86 | 47 | $25.34 | $0.68 | |
| 6 (4) | Reds | $59.5 | 89 | 45 | $26.54 | $0.70 | |
| 7 (7) | Pirates | $40.2 | 90 | 30 | $24.54 | $0.70 | |
| 8 (9) | D’backs | $59.2 | 88 | 43 | $25.22 | $0.72 | |
| 9 (5) | A’s | $62.3 | 88 | 45 | $28.29 | $0.74 | |
| 10 (10) | Tigers | $82.3 | 88 | 59 | $23.84 | $0.77 | |
| 11 (12) | Indians | $56.8 | 87 | 40 | $35.56 | $0.77 | |
| 12 (14) | Padres | $69.7 | 88 | 48 | $26.78 | $0.79 | |
| 13 (11) | Rangers | $65.5 | 88 | 45 | $29.70 | $0.82 | |
| 14 (13) | Blue Jays | $71.9 | 88 | 49 | $30.63 | $0.83 | |
| 15 (15) | Royals | $47.3 | 87 | 31 | $27.73 | $0.87 | |
| 16 (16) | Nationals | $63.3 | 90 | 38 | $37.12 | $0.88 | |
| 17 (18) | White Sox | $102.9 | 88 | 57 | $42.35 | $0.98 | |
| 18 (19) | Orioles | $72.6 | 90 | 41 | $31.81 | $0.99 | |
| 19 (17) | Cardinals | $88.4 | 87 | 48 | $43.82 | $1.00 | |
| 20 (20) | Mets | $100.9 | 89 | 53 | $19.85 | $1.04 | |
| 21 (22) | Giants | $90.9 | 89 | 45 | $37.60 | $1.11 | |
| 22 (21) | Mariners | $88.3 | 89 | 43 | $39.99 | $1.11 | |
| 23 (24) | Dodgers | $99.2 | 88 | 46 | $38.70 | $1.14 | |
| 24 (23) | Astros | $92.6 | 89 | 43 | $38.71 | $1.14 | |
| 25 (25) | Phillies | $88.3 | 87 | 40 | $42.24 | $1.17 | |
| 26 (26) | Red Sox | $120.1 | 86 | 53 | $49.67 | $1.27 | |
| 27 (27) | Braves | $92.5 | 89 | 40 | $39.95 | $1.33 | |
| 28 (28) | Angels | $103.6 | 88 | 43 | $44.14 | $1.42 | |
| 29 (29) | Cubs | $94.8 | 88 | 34 | $39.81 | $1.53 | |
| 30 (30) | Yankees | $198.7 | 86 | 50 | $82.16 | $2.16 |
