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MLB Playoffs 2026: Does a Bigger Payroll Pay Off?
Key Takeaways
- Of the 10 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams with the highest payrolls, eight made the 2026 playoffs.
- The New York Mets had the highest payroll but did not make the MLB playoffs.
- The Cleveland Guardians had the lowest team payroll of $74.2 million, but made it into the playoffs.
Money can buy baseball’s biggest stars, but can it buy a playoff spot? With the 2026 World Series just days away, we’re looking at how MLB’s biggest spenders fared this season.
This graphic, created in partnership with Terzo, ranks all 30 MLB teams by payroll and highlights which ones made the 2026 playoffs.
Ranking MLB Payrolls
Using data from the MLB Labor Relations Department, the below table shows the payroll for each team. Numbers include players’ actual salaries plus pro-rated signing bonuses before any player or club options.
The New York Mets have the highest payroll of nearly $350 million, but didn’t make the MLB playoffs for the second year in a row. Outfielder Juan Soto and shortstop Francisco Lindor both suffered injuries, and the team also saw changes in its roster and coaching staff.
| Team | Payroll (Millions) | 2026 Playoff Status |
|---|---|---|
| New York Mets | $346.8 | Did Not Qualify |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | $338.0 | Qualified |
| New York Yankees | $304.6 | Qualified |
| Philadelphia Phillies | $291.7 | Qualified |
| Toronto Blue Jays | $275.4 | Did Not Qualify |
| Atlanta Braves | $263.9 | Qualified |
| Houston Astros | $249.5 | Qualified |
| Chicago Cubs | $248.8 | Qualified |
| San Diego Padres | $223.9 | Qualified |
| Boston Red Sox | $210.2 | Qualified |
| Detroit Tigers | $202.1 | Did Not Qualify |
| San Francisco Giants | $197.6 | Did Not Qualify |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | $192.8 | Did Not Qualify |
| Texas Rangers | $192.5 | Did Not Qualify |
| Los Angeles Angels | $179.8 | Did Not Qualify |
| Seattle Mariners | $170.5 | Did Not Qualify |
| Baltimore Orioles | $169.2 | Did Not Qualify |
| Kansas City Royals | $149.8 | Did Not Qualify |
| Milwaukee Brewers | $143.5 | Qualified |
| Cincinnati Reds | $128.3 | Did Not Qualify |
| Colorado Rockies | $117.0 | Did Not Qualify |
| Minnesota Twins | $109.5 | Did Not Qualify |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | $107.6 | Did Not Qualify |
| Athletics | $98.7 | Did Not Qualify |
| Tampa Bay Rays | $98.3 | Qualified |
| Chicago White Sox | $98.0 | Qualified |
| St. Louis Cardinals | $94.7 | Did Not Qualify |
| Washington Nationals | $90.3 | Did Not Qualify |
| Miami Marlins | $83.0 | Did Not Qualify |
| Cleveland Guardians | $74.2 | Qualified |
Source: MLB Labor Relations Department via USA Today.
The Mets’ downfall notwithstanding, there is a correlation between payroll and making the MLB playoffs. Of the 10 highest-paid teams, eight of them advanced to the 2026 postseason.
One notable example is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who made it to the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season. They tied with the 1991-2005 Braves for the longest postseason streak in MLB history. As of 2026, the Dodgers are one of the most valuable sports teams in the world.
Interestingly, the Milwaukee Brewers finished the regular season with the best record—103 wins and 59 losses—despite being middle of the pack on payroll. They went on to sweep the Dodgers 4-0 in the National League Championship Series, advancing to the 2026 World Series.
Low-Paid Teams That Made the MLB Playoffs
There are three teams with relatively low payrolls that made the playoffs: the Tampa Bay Rays, the Chicago White Sox, and the Cleveland Guardians.
At just over $74 million, the Guardians’ payroll is dead last in the MLB. The Guardians drafted or originally signed 16 players, making them the playoff team with the most homegrown talent. Cleveland has made the playoffs in eight of the last 11 seasons.