We haven’t done this since Jeff Niemann lost his arbitration case, so let’s take a quick look at the projected 40-man roster.

Barring any major moves, the Rays opening day payroll will be approximately $64.3 million. That would be an increase of 56.4% over last year’s opening day payroll of $41.1 million. It would also be the second-highest payroll under Stuart Sternberg, behind only 2010 when the payroll was approximately $72.8 million.

 

(1) Once a player is added to the 40-man roster, the team can ‘option’ the player to the minors 3 times. A team cannot be charged with using more than one option in a given season even if a player is demoted to the minors several times that year. An option is not used if a player is added to the 40-man roster midseason unless he is sent back to the minors at some point. An option is only used if a player spends more than 20 days in the minors while on the 40-man roster. A player with more than 5 years experience can refuse a minor league assignment, so we list those players as having no options.
(2) Years remaining under control of franchise before free agency eligibility. A player can become a free agent after 6 years of Major League service time.
(3) First, second and third year players will have their salaries determined by the team, but will fall close to the major league minimum which is $480K in ’12. Minor leaguers on the 40-man make $78,250. We are not including signing bonuses or incentives.
* Players with at least 3 years since their big league debut. These players must clear optional waivers in order to be demoted to the minors even if they have options remaining.