Graphic compares Christian Walker and Juan Soto during Diamondbacks’ doubleheader

The 2023 MLB season has been quite the rollercoaster, yet if there’s one lesson it’s taught us, it’s that payroll might not hold the same weight as before.

When examining the three largest payrolls in baseball, the list includes the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and the San Diego Padres.

These three teams share three commonalities: payrolls exceeding $250 million, records below .500, and their current absence from the playoff race.

Meanwhile, teams ranked lower in the standings like the Baltimore Orioles (28th) and the Tampa Bay Rays (27th), boast some of the best records in the MLB with fewer than 50 games remaining.

Players such as Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Manny Machado, and even Juan…