ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAAABACADAEAFAGAHAIAJAKALAMANAOAPAQARASATAUAVAWAXAYAZBABBBCBDBEBFBGBHBIBJBKBLBMBNBOBPBQBRBSBTBUBVBWBXBYBZCACBCCCDCECFCGCHCICJCKCLCMCNCOCPCQCRCSCTCUCV
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CLEVELAND
Projected 40-man Year-End Labor Relations PayrollsProjected 40-man Competitive Balance Payrolls
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2025202620272028202920252026202720282029
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GUARDIANS$99,735,964$36.300$35.400$35.400$21.400$126,038,773$58.465$51.660$50.410$30.767
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Projected 2025 CB tax:$0
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PlayerPos.YearRdPickAgeMLSOpts left 1/25AgentLength / Total ValueProjected 40-man Year-End Labor Relations PayrollsProjected 40-man Competitive Balance Payrolls
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7/1/251/252025202620272028202920252026202720282029
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Ramírez, José3b2009DOM3210.0741 / 3Republik Spts7 y/$141M (22-28)$19,000,000$21.000$23.000$25.000FA$20,142,857$20.143$20.143$20.143
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Thomas, Lanerf20145144295.0141 / 3Wasserman1 y/$7.825M (25)$7,825,000FA$7,825,000
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Clase, Emmanuelrhp-c2015DOM274.0593 / 3Nova Spts5 yr/$20M (22-26)+27-28 opts$4,900,000$6.400$2.000$4,000,000$4.000opt
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Junis, Jakobrhp-s201129876327.0020 / 3Wasserman1 y/$4.5M (25)$4,500,000FA$4,500,000
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Kwan, Stevenlf20185163273.0003 / 3CAA1 y/$4.175M (25)$4,175,000A2A3FA$4,175,000
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Hedges, Austinc2011282328.1662 / 3Boras Corp.1 yr/$4M (25)$4,000,000FA$4,000,000
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Bibee, Tannerrhp-s20215156262.0003 / 35 y/$48M (25-29)+30 cl opt$3,400,000$4.400$7.400$10.400$21.400$9,600,000$9.600$9.600$9.600$9.600
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Lively, Benrhp-s20134135332.1330 / 3Meister Spts1 y/$2.25M (25)$2,250,000A2A3A4FA$2,250,000
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Hentges, Samlhp20144128283.1570 / 3Warner Spts1 y/$1.337M (25)$1,337,000A3A4FA$1,337,000
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Means, Johnlhp-s201411331296.0073 / 3Wasserman1 y/$1M (25)+26 cl opt$1,000,000opt$1,000,000opt
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Naylor, Boc2018129251.1132 / 3ISE1 y/$790,300 (25)$790,300A1A2A3$790,300
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Smith, Caderhp201716466261.0003 / 31 y/$785,100 (25)$785,100A1A2A3$785,100
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Ortiz, Luisrhp2018DOM261.1212 / 3Equity Baseball1 y/$782,600 (25)$782,600A1A2A3A4$782,600
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Fry, Davidc-inf20187215291.1543 / 31 y/$781,900 (25)$781,900A1A2A3A4$781,900
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Williams, Gavinrhp-s2021123251.1033 / 31 y/$780,300 (25)$780,300A1A2A3$780,300
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Gaddis, Hunterrhp20195160271.0731 / 31 y/$778,900 (25)$778,900A1A2A3$778,900
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Herrin, Timlhp201829883281.0772 / 31 y/$777,300 (25)$742,298A1A2A3$742,298
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Allen, Loganlhp-s2020256261.0932 / 31 y/$777,200 (25)$777,200A1A2A3$777,200
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Rocchio, Brayanss2017VEN241.0371 / 3Rimas Spts1 y/$771,000 (25)$663,231A1A2A3$663,231
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Arias, Gabrielss2016VEN251.1240 / 3Klutch Spts1 y/$770,200 (25)$770,200A1A2A3A4$770,200
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Jones, Nolan3b2016255272.0070 / 3Excel1 y/$770,000 (25)$770,000A1A2A3FA$770,000
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Noel, Jhonkensy1b-3b2017DOM230.0961 / 31 y/$766,900 (25)$490,341$490,341
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Schneemann, Daniel
3b2018331,003280.1203 / 31 y/$766,000 (25)$766,000$766,000
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Cecconi, Sladerhp20201s33260.1551 / 31 y/$765,500 (25)$765,500$765,500
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Sabrowski, Eriklhp201814411270.0333 / 31 y/$764,700 (25)$764,700$764,700
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Manzardo, Kyle1b2021263240.0732 / 31 y/$763,200 (25)$763,200$763,200
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Cantillo, Joeylhp201716468250.0311 / 31 y/$762,800 (25)$573,878$573,878
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Rodriguez, Johnathan
of20173102250.0242 / 31 y/$760,900 (25)$373,905$373,905
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Aleman, Francorhp202110306250.0003 / 3$62,000$62,000
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Allard, Kolbylhp2015114274.0210 / 3Excel$833,333A3FA$833,333
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Brennan, Willof20198250272.0152 / 3CAA$675,459A1A2A3FA$675,459
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Brito, Juanss2018DOM230.0001 / 3$123,900$123,900
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Enright, Nicrhp201920610280.0003 / 3$456,847$456,847
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Espino, Danielrhp2019124240.0002 / 3$123,900$123,900
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Festa, Mattrhp20167207322.0030 / 3$629,032A1A2A3FA$629,032
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Halpin, Peteycf2020395230.0003 / 3$95,774$95,774
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Kent, Zakrhp20199265270.0001 / 3$452,656$452,656
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Krook, Mattlhp20164125300.0481 / 3$81,268$81,268
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Martínez, Angelss2018DOM230.1181 / 3$727,037$727,037
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Messick, Parkerlhp2022254240.0003 / 3$163,441$163,441
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Nikhazy, Douglhp2021258250.0003 / 3$127,596$127,596
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Nuñez, Domc20136169301.0981 / 3ALIGND$133,839A1A2A3$133,839
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Valera, Georgerf2017DOM240.0000 / 3$114,409$114,409
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Walters, Andrewrhp2023
2CBb
62240.0183 / 3$547,967$547,967
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Wilson, Willss2019115260.0003 / 3$359,653$359,653
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Ramírez, Joséaward bonus: Silver Slugger$50,000$50,000
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Kwan, Stevenaward bonus: Gold Glove$50,000$50,000
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Santana, Carlosreleased 8/28/25, less Cubs portion$11,885,591$11,885,591
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Hernández, Carlosoutrighted 8/22/25$367,957$367,957
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Stephan, Trevoroutrighted 8/15/25$2,300,000$3.500$1.250$2,500,000$2.500opt
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Sewald, Paultraded to Detroit 7/31/25$4,096,774$4,096,774
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Bieber, Shanetraded to Toronto 7/31/25$6,827,957$6,827,957
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Bieber, ShaneCBT true-up, 7/31/25 trade$493,285$1.555
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Ramírez, JoséAll Star award bonus$100,000$100,000
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Bolton, Codyreleased 6/6//25 $60,264$60,264
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Velasquez, Vinceoutrighted 5/4/25$32,258$32,258
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McKenzie, Tristonoutrighted 4/28/25$1,950,000$1,950,000
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Straw, Mylesoutrighted 11/1/24, paid in 1/17/25 trade$1,000,000$1.000$1.750$1,000,000$1.000$1.750
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Pre-arbitration bonus pool
$1,666,667$1.667$1.667$1.667$1.667
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Estimated Player Benefits
$17,500,000$18.000$18.500$19.000$19.500
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2025202620272028202920252026202720282029
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Projected 26-man Opening Day Payroll$99,552,300
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Projected 40-man Year-End Payroll
$99,735,964$36.300$35.400$35.400$21.400
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Projected 40-man CB Tax Payroll
$126,038,773$58.465$51.660$50.410$30.767
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Competitive Balance Tax Threshold
$241 / $261 / $281 / $301$241,000,000$244.000$247.000$250.000$254.000
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Amount under threshold
$114,961,227$185.535$195.340$198.340$223.233
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Projected CB Tax (first-time payor in 2025)
Rates 20% / 32% / 62.5% / 80%$0
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Guardians CBT History
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The Guardians payroll has never exceeded the threshold for MLB's competitive balance tax.
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Notes on Salaries
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Figures for 0- to 3-year players in majors are estimated at an average of $772,000, $12,000 above the Major League minimum salary.
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Figures for 0- to 3-year players in minors are estimated at an average of $186,000, the minimum minor-league salary for a player with 1 year of Major League service.
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Notes on Competitive Balance Tax
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* Projected payroll for purposes of the Competitive Balance Tax under Article XXIII of MLB collective bargaining agreement. Estimated figures in italics.
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* Figures include the average annual values of contracts for players on the 40-man roster, plus about $17M for benefits and $1.667M for 0- to 3-year player bonus pool.
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* Tax Thresholds: 2022: $230M $250/$270/$290. 2023: $233M $253/$273/$293. 2024: $237M $257/$277/$297. 2025: $241M $261/$281/$301. 2026: $244M $264/$284/$304.
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* Tax rate based on number of consecutive seasons a club has exceeded the base tax threshold. Rate resets if club payroll falls below tax threshold for one season.
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* First-Time Payor tax rates: 20% for exceeding threshold by $20M or less, 32% for exceeding by $20-$40M, 62.5% for exceeding by $40M-$60M, 80% for exceeding by $60M or more.
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* Second-Time Payor tax rates: 30% for exceeding threshold by $20M or less, 42% for exceeding by $20-$40M, 75% for exceeding by $40M or more, 90% for exceeding by $60M or more.
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* Third-Time Payor tax rates: 50% for exceeding threshold by $20M or less, 62% for exceeding by $20-$40M, 95% for exceeding by $40M or more, 110% for exceeding by $60M or more.
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