[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.]
With only about 25 games to go, it’s time we revisited the MLB Cost Index. The biggest bargains this year? The Marlins, A’s, Twins and Reds. The A’s are all but assured of a division title and the Twins are within spitting distance of the Wildcard. While the Reds and Marlins will probably not make the postseason, at least they are giving their fans something to root for down the stretch. Not bad for a $15M payroll like the Marlins. Meanwhile, the Red Sox Angels, Braves, Cubs and Mariners are toast with nothing to show for it except a $100M average payorll.
** all $ are in millions.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | 2006 Payroll | GP | Wins | YTD Payroll | Cost/Win | |
| 1 (1) | Marlins | $15.0 | 136 | 68 | $12.59 | $0.19 | |
| 2 (3) | Devil Rays | $41.1 | 137 | 55 | $29.95 | $0.54 | |
| 3 (2) | Rockies | $35.4 | 136 | 63 | $34.53 | $0.55 | |
| 4 (4) | Pirates | $40.2 | 137 | 54 | $34.03 | $0.63 | |
| 5 (6) | A’s | $63.8 | 136 | 79 | $52.32 | $0.66 | |
| 6 (5) | Twins | $62.3 | 135 | 78 | $53.18 | $0.68 | |
| 7 (12) | Indians | $59.5 | 135 | 65 | $47.33 | $0.73 | |
| 8 (7) | Reds | $59.2 | 137 | 68 | $50.31 | $0.74 | |
| 9 (9) | Brewers | $56.8 | 137 | 62 | $48.03 | $0.77 | |
| 10 (8) | D’backs | $82.3 | 136 | 64 | $49.72 | $0.78 | |
| 11 (15) | Royals | $65.5 | 138 | 51 | $40.29 | $0.79 | |
| 12 (11) | Rangers | $56.8 | 138 | 70 | $55.77 | $0.80 | |
| 13 (10) | Tigers | $69.7 | 137 | 84 | $69.60 | $0.83 | |
| 14 (13) | Padres | $71.9 | 136 | 70 | $58.53 | $0.84 | |
| 15 (14) | Blue Jays | $47.3 | 136 | 71 | $60.37 | $0.85 | |
| 16 (16) | Nationals | $63.3 | 136 | 59 | $53.11 | $0.90 | |
| 17 (18) | Orioles | $88.4 | 136 | 61 | $60.94 | $1.00 | |
| 18 (19) | Mets | $72.6 | 135 | 84 | $84.08 | $1.00 | |
| 19 (17) | Cardinals | $100.9 | 135 | 73 | $73.70 | $1.01 | |
| 20 (21) | Phillies | $102.9 | 137 | 69 | $74.65 | $1.08 | |
| 21 (20) | White Sox | $88.3 | 136 | 79 | $86.36 | $1.09 | |
| 22 (23) | Giants | $88.3 | 137 | 68 | $76.84 | $1.13 | |
| 23 (25) | Dodgers | $90.9 | 136 | 73 | $83.26 | $1.14 | |
| 24 (22) | Mariners | $92.6 | 136 | 64 | $74.15 | $1.16 | |
| 25 (24) | Astros | $99.2 | 137 | 67 | $78.27 | $1.17 | |
| 26 (26) | Braves | $92.5 | 136 | 65 | $77.62 | $1.19 | |
| 27 (27) | Angels | $103.6 | 137 | 72 | $87.63 | $1.22 | |
| 28 (28) | Red Sox | $120.1 | 137 | 73 | $101.57 | $1.39 | |
| 29 (29) | Cubs | $94.8 | 136 | 55 | $79.62 | $1.45 | |
| 30 (30) | Yankees | $198.7 | 135 | 81 | $165.55 | $2.04 |
