Denver Post · Jan 8, 2019
MLB payrolls dropped for 1st time since 2010
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) and teammate Ryan McMahon (24) celebrate their 2-1 13 inning victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field during the NL West Wild Card playoff game Oct. 02, 2018. NEW YORK — Spending on Major League Baseball payrolls dropped last season for the first time since 2010, an $18 million decrease attributable to drug and domestic violence suspensions and a player retiring at midseason.
Still, even a year with flat payrolls is unusual for MLB. The only previous drops since 2002 were by $3 million in 2010 and by $32 million in 2004.