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.
Who are the biggest bargains in baseball? Well, from the Cost Index, you would have to point to the Diamondbacks, Padres, and Indians. All three teams are in the ten lowest payrolls in the majors while being either on top of their division or only one game out. The Brewers are also a pretty good bargain with a $72M payroll and leading the NL Central by 6.5 games over the Cubs and their $100M payroll.
The complete MLB Cost Index after the jump.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | 2006 Payroll | GP | Wins | YTD Payroll | Cost/Win | |
| 1 (1) | Devil Rays | $24.1 | 67 | 30 | $9.97 | $0.33 | |
| 2 (2) | Marlins | $30.5 | 70 | 33 | $13.18 | $0.40 | |
| 3 (4) | Nationals | $37.3 | 69 | 30 | $15.89 | $0.53 | |
| 4 (5) | Pirates | $38.6 | 69 | 30 | $16.44 | $0.55 | |
| 5 (3) | D’backs | $52.1 | 70 | 40 | $22.51 | $0.56 | |
| 6 (6) | Padres | $58.2 | 68 | 40 | $24.43 | $0.61 | |
| 7 (7) | Indians | $61.7 | 68 | 40 | $25.90 | $0.65 | |
| 8 (8) | Rockies | $54.4 | 69 | 35 | $23.17 | $0.66 | |
| 9 (9) | Brewers | $72.0 | 69 | 38 | $30.67 | $0.81 | |
| 10 (10) | Twins | $71.4 | 67 | 34 | $29.53 | $0.87 | |
| 11 (11) | A’s | $79.9 | 68 | 37 | $33.54 | $0.91 | |
| 12 (14) | Blue Jays | $79.9 | 68 | 33 | $33.54 | $1.02 | |
| 13 (13) | Tigers | $95.2 | 68 | 39 | $39.96 | $1.02 | |
| 14 (18) | Royals | $67.4 | 70 | 28 | $29.12 | $1.04 | |
| 15 (12) | Braves | $89.5 | 70 | 37 | $38.67 | $1.05 | |
| 16 (16) | Phillies | $89.4 | 69 | 36 | $38.08 | $1.06 | |
| 17 (15) | Angels | $109.3 | 70 | 44 | $47.23 | $1.07 | |
| 18 (17) | Reds | $69.1 | 70 | 27 | $29.86 | $1.11 | |
| 19 (19) | Rangers | $68.8 | 69 | 26 | $29.30 | $1.13 | |
| 20 (21) | Dodgers | $108.7 | 69 | 39 | $46.30 | $1.19 | |
| 21 (24) | Cardinals | $90.3 | 66 | 30 | $36.79 | $1.23 | |
| 22 (20) | Mariners | $106.5 | 66 | 35 | $43.39 | $1.24 | |
| 23 (26) | Astros | $87.8 | 69 | 30 | $37.40 | $1.25 | |
| 24 (23) | Giants | $90.5 | 68 | 30 | $37.99 | $1.27 | |
| 25 (22) | Mets | $117.9 | 67 | 37 | $48.76 | $1.32 | |
| 26 (28) | Cubs | $99.9 | 68 | 31 | $41.93 | $1.35 | |
| 27 (27) | Red Sox | $143.5 | 68 | 44 | $60.23 | $1.37 | |
| 28 (25) | Orioles | $95.1 | 69 | 29 | $40.51 | $1.40 | |
| 29 (29) | White Sox | $109.7 | 65 | 28 | $44.02 | $1.57 | |
| 30 (30) | Yankees | $213.7 | 67 | 35 | $88.38 | $2.53 |
