Average salary hit record high in 2022, union says
MLB’S average salary increased 14.8 percent to a record $4.22 million last year after the end of the lockout, boosted by big deals for Max Scherzer, Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.
The rate of increase was the highest since a 17.7 percent increase in 2000 to $1.61 million, according to final calculations by the MLB Players Association.
The average had dropped in each of the previous four seasons before 2022, sparking player anger that was expressed by the union during a 99-day lockout that ended in March.
Last year’s average salary was calculated by the union at $4,222,193, up from $3,679,335 in 2021. MLB, which uses a slightly different method, calculated the average at $4,117,472, up 15 percent from $3,579,341 in 2021.
Team payrolls, a more complete reflection of spending, grew by 12.6 percent, from $4.05 billion to $4.56 billion.
Salaries escalated higher this offseason. The New York Mets have boosted their payroll to a projected $370 million, well past the record of $297.9 million set by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015.
Some owners are arguing for significant change to lessen payroll disparity when the labor contract expires after the 2026 season, and MLB established another committee to examine economics.
“History would suggest that an economic committee . . . is really hyperfocused on a salary cap — or getting to a salary cap when we next sit down to negotiate,” union head Tony Clark said Saturday. “We’re never going to agree to a cap. Let me start there.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred has said MLB had $10.8 billion in revenue last year.
The figures are based on the 1,043 players on active rosters and injured lists as of Aug. 31, the last day before active rosters expanded from 26 to 28. The union’s average includes prorated shares of option buyouts, which MLB’S average does not.
Neither side included the $50 million bonus pool for prearbitration-eligible players.
• BLUE JAYS: Toronto hired former Houston Astros general manager James Click as vice president of baseball strategy.
Hired by Houston in 2020, Click, 45, helped build the teams that went to three straight American League Championship Series and back-to-back World Series, winning it all last year. But he clashed with owner Jim Crane, and the Astros announced six days after clinching the title that he would not be back.
It was believed to be the first time a World Series-winning general manager did not return since 1947, when the Yankees’ Larry Macphail was replaced by George Weiss.
The Blue Jays said Click will work closely with General Manager Ross Atkins across professional and amateur levels.
• DODGERS: Infielder Gavin Lux suffered a right leg injury against the San Diego Padres and had to be taken off the field on a cart.
Lux went down while running from second to third base in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old’s right knee buckled, and he was seen clutching it on the ground.
Los Angeles Manager Dave Roberts said Lux “heard something pop” and was set to undergo an MRI exam.
• RAYS: Right-hander Tyler Glasnow threw just six pitches before cutting short a batting practice session with an abdominal muscle injury, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
The Times reported Glasnow was scheduled to have an MRI exam Tuesday.
Glasnow has battled injuries throughout his major league career. The 29-year-old had Tommy John surgery in August 2021 and didn’t make his 2022 debut until Sept. 28.
• CUBS: Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki pulled out of the World Baseball Classic because of left oblique tightness.