Larry Beinfest’s idea of a bonus
It might be a little too early to start worrying about these things but here’s the first MLB Cost Index of the 2007 season. The MLB Cost Index is one measure of how well your GM did over the course of the offseason and during the season. The Index takes a look at the payrolls for each team and calculates a Cost per Win number. Pretty simple stuff right? But in the wide open world of baseball with no salary cap, it’s the best way we can think of to judge teams on a level (monetary) playing field.
Now, on to the analysis…
The Marlins pick up where they left off last season with a #1 ranking in the Cost Index. The other big suprise is the Pittsburgh Pirates with their four wins and $38M payroll. Meanwhile, the Yankees and Red Sox are always at the bottom of these rankings become of their astronomical payrolls. However, in the early going, they aren’t in the cellar yet, mainly because of the horrendous opening week posted by the Astros, Phillies, and Giants.
The full list of clubs and cost/win after the jump.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | 2006 Payroll | GP | Wins | YTD Payroll | Cost/Win | |
| 1 (-) | Marlins | $30.5 | 6 | 4 | $1.13 | $0.28 | |
| 2 (-) | Pirates | $38.6 | 6 | 4 | $1.43 | $0.36 | |
| 3 (-) | Devil Rays | $24.1 | 5 | 2 | $0.74 | $0.37 | |
| 4 (-) | D’backs | $52.1 | 7 | 5 | $2.25 | $0.45 | |
| 5 (-) | Padres | $58.2 | 6 | 4 | $2.16 | $0.54 | |
| 6 (-) | Twins | $71.4 | 5 | 4 | $2.20 | $0.55 | |
| 7 (-) | Indians | $61.7 | 3 | 2 | $1.14 | $0.57 | |
| 8 (-) | Reds | $69.1 | 6 | 4 | $2.56 | $0.64 | |
| 9 (-) | Braves | $89.5 | 6 | 5 | $3.31 | $0.66 | |
| 10 (-) | Rockies | $54.4 | 6 | 3 | $2.01 | $0.67 | |
| 11 (-) | Blue Jays | $79.9 | 5 | 3 | $2.47 | $0.82 | |
| 12 (-) | Brewers | $72.0 | 6 | 3 | $2.67 | $0.89 | |
| 13 (-) | Angels | $109.3 | 7 | 5 | $4.72 | $0.94 | |
| 14 (-) | Tigers | $95.2 | 5 | 3 | $2.94 | $0.98 | |
| 15 (-) | Mariners | $106.5 | 3 | 2 | $1.97 | $0.99 | |
| 16 (-) | Dodgers | $108.7 | 6 | 4 | $4.03 | $1.01 | |
| 17 (-) | Mets | $117.9 | 6 | 4 | $4.37 | $1.09 | |
| 18 (-) | A’s | $79.9 | 7 | 3 | $3.45 | $1.15 | |
| 19 (-) | Cubs | $99.9 | 6 | 3 | $3.70 | $1.23 | |
| 20 (-) | Royals | $67.4 | 6 | 2 | $2.50 | $1.25 | |
| 21 (-) | Rangers | $68.8 | 6 | 2 | $2.55 | $1.27 | |
| 22 (-) | Nationals | $37.3 | 7 | 1 | $1.61 | $1.61 | |
| 23 (-) | Cardinals | $90.3 | 6 | 2 | $3.34 | $1.67 | |
| 24 (-) | White Sox | $109.7 | 5 | 2 | $3.39 | $1.69 | |
| 25 (-) | Orioles | $95.1 | 6 | 2 | $3.52 | $1.76 | |
| 26 (-) | Red Sox | $143.5 | 6 | 3 | $5.31 | $1.77 | |
| 27 (-) | Yankees | $195.2 | 5 | 2 | $6.02 | $3.01 | |
| 28 (-) | Astros | $87.8 | 6 | 1 | $3.25 | $3.25 | |
| 29 (-) | Phillies | $89.4 | 6 | 1 | $3.31 | $3.31 | |
| 30 (-) | Giants | $90.5 | 6 | 1 | $3.35 | $3.35 |
