Around the majors

WHO’S GETTING THEIR MONEY’S WORTH?: There’s still a long way to go, but having just passed the 1/4 mark of the 2023 season, the 4 highest-spending teams in MLB are all off to disappointing starts, while 3 of the bottom 4 spenders in the sport have gotten out of the gate fast. (Payroll figures are for Opening Day 26-man rosters, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts).

HIGHEST SPENDERS

• #1 Mets ($330.6 MM) 20-23, 4th place in the NL East, 6.5 GB ATL

• #2 Yankees ($277.7 MM) 25-19, 4th, place in the AL East, 7.5 GB TB

• #3 Padres ($248.9 MM) 20-23, 3rd place in the NL West, 7.0 GB LAD

• #4 Phillies ($243.0 MM) 20-22, 3rd place in the NL East, 6.0 GB ATL

LOWEST SPENDERS

• #27 Pirates ($73.2 MM) 22-20, 2nd in the NL Central, 2.0 GB MIL (started 20-8)

• #28 Rays ($73.1 MM) ML-best 32-11, 1st in AL East, 4.5 GA BAL

• #29 Orioles ($60.8 MM) 27-15, 2nd in AL East, 4.5 GB TB

The Marlins’ $92.5 MM Opening Day payroll ranks 23rd in MLB. They’re 22-22, a .500 club through 44 games.