A World Series of Two Payrolls

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertOctober 20, 2020
© USA TODAY Sports
The 2020 World Series brings us a tale of two stories, with the high-priced Los Angeles Dodgers up against a true moneyball franchise in the Tampa Bay Rays. We'll take a closer look at the facts & figures of each heading toward Game 1.
 
2020 PAYROLLS
The Rays & Dodgers find themselves at the opposite end of the 2020 money spectrum. How rare is it for a team with the 28th highest payroll to be in the World Series? Since 2010, the lowest ranked payroll to make the final game is the Indians in 2016 & Royals in 2014/15, all of whom were #18 in their respective season.
TEAM 2020 Payroll Rank
Los Angeles Dodgers $107,917,397 #2
Tampa Bay Rays $28,290,689 #28
 
STARTING LINEUP FINANCIALS
As you might imagine, low payroll equals low-paid lineup. The Rays are projected to put out a starting 10 for Game 1 that accounts for just $7.7M of 2020 salary (adjusted for the 60-game season). The Dodgers starting 10 combines for just under $54M, thanks in part to Clayton Kershaw's $16M adjusted salary.
2020 Salary Rays # Dodgers 2020 Salary
$916,667 Manuel Margot 1 Mookie Betts $10,000,000
$205,589 Michael Brosseau  2 Corey Seager $2,814,815
$213,556 Yandy Diaz  3 Justin Turner $8,037,037
$555,556 Brandon Lowe  4 Max Muncy $1,870,370
$214,630 Willy Adames  5 Will Smith  $212,407
$1,222,222 Hunter Renfroe 6 Cody Bellinger $4,259,259
$1,851,852 Yoshitomo Tsutsugo 7 A.J. Pollock $7,444,444
$90,335 Randy Arozarena  8 Joc Pederson $2,870,370
$1,666,667 Mike Zunino 9 Gavin Lux  $96,999
$759,259 Tyler Glasnow SP Clayton Kershaw  $16,308,641
$7,696,333       $53,914,342
 
TEAM POSITIONAL SPENDING
What little money Tampa Bay does have is being allocated to starting pitching, thanks to a free agent contract for Charlie Morton, & a pre-arbitration extension for Blake Snell. The Dodgers have their dollars fairly well balanced across their active payroll, with a slight bump up at the outfield position due in large part to the addition of Mookie Betts.
Position Rays Dodgers
Starting Pitchers $9.8M $17.4M
Bullpens $1.9M $17.2M
Infielders $1.2M $15.1M
Outfielders $8M $26.7M
Catchers $619k $2M
 
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Here's where things REALLY get wild in terms of comparison. The Rays are essentially a team of castaway misfits, whom other organizations either deemed not worthy of pay increase, veritable "busts", or just simply nothing more than trade chips to acquire other pieces. 57% of the Rays final 28-man roster was acquired via the trade, while only 4 (14%) were homegrown drafted players. The Dodgers have much more balance in their acquisition discussion, but it leans heavily toward in-house, self-drafted players - good ones.
Position Rays Dodgers
via Trade 16 7
via Free Agency 4 8
via the Draft 4 10
Internationally Signed 2 3
Undrafted 1 0
Rule 5 1 0
   
LOOKING AHEAD
The Dodgers have a few notable names schedule for free agency this winter, led by 3B Justin Turner, OF Joc Pederson, & UT Kiki Hernandez. It's possible, but not likely, Turner is slapped with an $18.9M qualifying offer. The Rays notable decision lies with Mike Zunino's $4.5M club option for 2021 - though it seems highly unlikely they decline.
PLAYer TEAM POS STATUS
Justin Turner LAD 3B Free Agent
Enrique Hernandez LAD OF Free Agent
Joc Pederson LAD OF Free Agent
Aaron Loup TB P Free Agent
Mike Zunino TB C $4.5M club option
Alex Wood LAD P Free Agent
Blake Treinen LAD P Free Agent

With Cody Bellinger & Corey Seagar headed for another round of arbitration (projecting $12M+ each), it seems sensible to consider the multi-year extension candidates. Buying out the remainder of their control plus a few years of free agency probably makes sense to the Dodgers, who have a clear 3-4 year window to win right now. Tampa Bay could consider the same route for SP Tyler Glasnow, especially as the future of Charlie Morton is very much in question (retirement likely?).


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