Orioles payroll analysis: Spending went up but not due to flashy acquisitions
The Orioles’ payroll on opening day could be as much as $33.1 million higher than it was at the end of last season, but it’s not necessarily by choice.
They had 17 arbitration-eligible players and tendered contracts to all of them (although that does not mean all will be on the opening day roster). Their salaries are calculated based on playing time, position, role, performance statistics and what comparable players receive. That means players such as Ryan Mountcastle, who a year ago made about the league minimum of $700,000, get a big pay raise. This year, in his first year of arbitration, he will earn $4.1 million.
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The team spent $28.4 million on new players. They include Corbin Burnes, acquired from the Brewers and owed $15.6 million this year, and Craig Kimbrel, a free agent signed for $12 million.
But, of the $33 million possible payroll increase this season, only $7.4 million is new spending on player acquisitions when you offset the salaries that have come off the payroll in free agency. Kyle Gibson ($10 million), Adam Frazier ($8 million), Shintaro Fujinami ($3.25 million total, $1,275,529 paid by Orioles after trade), Jack Flaherty ($5.4 million total, $1,770,952 paid by Orioles after trade) and Aaron Hicks (salary paid by Yankees) were all on the Orioles last year and have since signed with other teams. That’s $21 million the Orioles do not have to pay this year.
