Opening Day Recap and MLB Salaries: Dodgers and Yankees Payout Big

As the NCAA college basketball season came to an end with Duke defeating Wisconsin in the final minutes of the second half of the national championship game, the MLB had its first day of baseball.

After a dismal 2014 season in which they finished with a record of 70-92 the Houston Astros shut out the Cleveland Indians 0-2 on opening day at Minute Maid Park.

Around the league the Kansas City Royals blew out the Chicago White Sox 1-10, the Texas Rangers were also blown out by the the Oakland A’s 0-4, the New York Yankees fell to the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Giants 3-6 in a California showdown.

The Los Angeles Dodgers must be incredibly thankful for their win considering their salary payments this year. The total? A measly amount of $230 million, but they also are paying a net of $39 million to players no longer with them, making their total payout $269 million. The Giants, also victorious today, will be paying out the fifth most of all teams with $166 million.

The Yankes, however, must be reeling after their loss as they are paying out more than $190 million this year. The Yankess, who have won 25 World Series Championships, have failed to make the playoffs for consecutive years for the first time in over two decades.

These numbers are large but when put in to perspective of the MLB generating $6 billion a year and over 15 MLB teams worth at least $1 Billion dollars its clear that no franchise is in danger of going broke any time soon.

[via USA Today]