[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.]
Here’s a little measure of a badly run team: top 15 payroll playing sub-.500 ball. Orioles, Phillies, Mariners, Braves, Astros, Cubs, and Dodgers. Perhaps not in all these cases but in most, heads will need to roll after this season, if not soon.
** all $ are in millions.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | 2006 Payroll | GP | Wins | YTD Payroll | Cost/Win | |
| 1 (1) | Marlins | $15.0 | 97 | 45 | $8.98 | $0.20 | |
| 2 (2) | Devil Rays | $35.4 | 99 | 41 | $21.64 | $0.53 | |
| 3 (3) | Rockies | $41.1 | 97 | 46 | $24.63 | $0.54 | |
| 4 (5) | Twins | $63.8 | 97 | 56 | $38.21 | $0.68 | |
| 5 (6) | Reds | $59.5 | 99 | 52 | $36.35 | $0.70 | |
| 6 (7) | Pirates | $40.2 | 100 | 35 | $24.84 | $0.71 | |
| 7 (8) | D’backs | $59.2 | 98 | 50 | $35.83 | $0.72 | |
| 8 (4) | Brewers | $56.8 | 99 | 47 | $34.71 | $0.74 | |
| 9 (9) | A’s | $62.3 | 98 | 51 | $37.70 | $0.74 | |
| 10 (10) | Tigers | $82.3 | 98 | 66 | $49.79 | $0.75 | |
| 11 (11) | Indians | $56.8 | 97 | 43 | $34.01 | $0.79 | |
| 12 (14) | Blue Jays | $71.9 | 98 | 55 | $43.50 | $0.79 | |
| 13 (12) | Padres | $69.7 | 98 | 51 | $42.18 | $0.83 | |
| 14 (15) | Royals | $47.3 | 98 | 34 | $28.61 | $0.84 | |
| 15 (13) | Rangers | $65.5 | 109 | 51 | $44.05 | $0.86 | |
| 16 (16) | Nationals | $63.3 | 99 | 43 | $38.66 | $0.90 | |
| 17 (19) | Cardinals | $88.4 | 97 | 56 | $52.96 | $0.95 | |
| 18 (18) | Orioles | $72.6 | 100 | 45 | $44.81 | $1.00 | |
| 19 (20) | Mets | $100.9 | 98 | 59 | $61.04 | $1.03 | |
| 20 (17) | White Sox | $102.9 | 97 | 59 | $61.60 | $1.04 | |
| 21 (21) | Giants | $90.9 | 99 | 51 | $55.53 | $1.09 | |
| 22 (22) | Mariners | $88.3 | 98 | 47 | $53.43 | $1.14 | |
| 23 (25) | Phillies | $88.3 | 95 | 44 | $51.77 | $1.18 | |
| 24 (24) | Astros | $92.6 | 99 | 47 | $56.56 | $1.20 | |
| 25 (27) | Braves | $92.5 | 97 | 46 | $55.36 | $1.20 | |
| 26 (26) | Red Sox | $120.1 | 97 | 59 | $71.91 | $1.22 | |
| 27 (28) | Angels | $103.6 | 98 | 50 | $62.69 | $1.25 | |
| 28 (23) | Dodgers | $99.2 | 99 | 47 | $60.61 | $1.29 | |
| 29 (29) | Cubs | $94.8 | 97 | 37 | $56.79 | $1.53 | |
| 30 (30) | Yankees | $198.7 | 96 | 56 | $117.73 | $2.10 |
