ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAAABACADAEAFAGAHAIAJAKALAMANAOAPAQARASATAUAVAWAXAYAZBABBBCBDBEBFBGBHBIBJBKBLBMBNBOBPBQBRBSBTBUBVBWBXBYBZCACBCCCDCECFCGCHCICJCKCLCMCNCOCPCQCRCSCTCUCV
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SAINT LOUIS
Projected 40-man Year-End Labor Relations PayrollsProjected 40-man Competitive Balance Payrolls
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2025202620272028202920252026202720282029
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CARDINALS$134,546,200$72.398$38.000$5.000$0.000$154,950,458$87.522$68.222$20.667$21.167
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Projected 2024 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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Arenado, Nolan*3b20092593411.1553 / 3Wasserman8 y/$260M (19-26)+'27 extn*$29,534,148$24.398$15.000$30,555,555$30.555$30.555
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Gray, Sonny*rhp-s20111183511.0612 / 3McKinnis Sports3 y/$75M (24-26)+27 cl opt*$25,000,000$35.000$5.000$24,799,518$24.800opt
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Contreras, Willson1b-dh2009VEN338.1082 / 3Octagon5 y/$87.5M (23-27)$18,000,000$18.000$18.000$5.000$17,500,000$17.500$17.500
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Mikolas, Milesrhp-s20097204368.0370 / 3Octagon3 y/$55.75M (23-25)$17,666,667FA$18,583,333
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Nootbaar, Larslf20188243273.0762 / 3Wasserman1 y/$2.95M (25)$2,950,000A2A3FA$2,950,000
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Donovan, Brendan2b20187213283.0002 / 3Bledsoe Agency1 y/$2.85M (25)$2,850,000A2A3FA$2,850,000
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Romero, JoJolhp20164107284.0450 / 3PSI Sports1 y/$2.26M (25)$2,260,000A3FA$2,260,000
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Pallante, Andrerhp20194125262.1451 / 3Wasserman1 y/$2.1M (25)$2,100,000A2A3A4FA$2,100,000
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King, Johnlhp201710314303.1451 / 31 y/$1.605M (25)$1,605,000A3A4FA$1,605,000
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Gorman, Nolaninf-dh2018119252.1142 / 3Excel1 y/$782,900 (25)$782,900A1A2A3FA$782,900
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Burleson, Alecof20202s70262.0293 / 3Ballengee1 y/$778,650 (25)$778,650A1A2A3FA$778,650
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Liberatore, Matthew
lhp2018116251.1441 / 3Paragon Sports1 y/$775,800 (25)$775,800A1A2A3A4$775,800
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Thompson, Zacklhp-s2019119271.0721 / 41 y/$772,200 (25)$772,200A1A2A3$772,200
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Winn, Masynss2020254231.0453 / 31 y/$770,850 (25)$770,850A1A2A3$770,850
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Walker, Jordanrf2020121231.0441 / 31 y/$770,800 (25)$770,800A1A2A3$770,800
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Herrera, Ivánc2016PAN251.0340 / 41 y/$770,300 (25)$770,300A1A2A3$770,300
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Siani, Michaelof20184109251.0332 / 3Excel1 y/$770,250 (25)$430,953A1A2A3$430,953
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Fernandez, Ryanrhp201823700271.0003 / 31 y/$768,600 (25)$558,585A1A2A3$558,585
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Pagés, Pedroc20196185260.1662 / 3Paragon Sports1 y/$768,300 (25)$768,300$768,300
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Leahy, Kylerhp201817513280.1401 / 31 y/$767,000 (25)$767,000$767,000
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Roycroft, Chrisrhp2022USA280.0832 / 31 y/$764,150 (25)$354,528$354,528
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Scott II, Victorcf20225157240.0832 / 31 y/$764,150 (25)$764,150$764,150
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Alcala, Jorgerhp2014DOM294.1651 / 3Optimum1 yr/$845,000 (24)+25 cl opt $419,355A3FA$419,355
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Church, Nathanlf202211337240.0003 / 3$175,699$175,699
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Crooks, Jimmyc20224127230.0003 / 3$126,667$126,667
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Fermín, Joséss2015DOM260.1661 / 31 y/$768,300 (25)$390,668$390,668
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Graceffo, Gordonrhp20215151250.0042 / 3Ballengee1 y/$760,200 (25)$411,261$411,261
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Granillo, Andrerhp202114421250.0003 / 3$247,023$247,023
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Hence, Tinkrhp20202s63220.0003 / 31 y/$760,000 (25)$62,000$62,000
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Koperniak, Mattof2020USA270.0003 / 31 y/$760,000 (25)$62,000$62,000
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McGreevy, Michaelrhp2021118240.0142 / 31 y/$760,700 (25)$380,674$380,674
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Muñoz, Rodderyrhp2018DOM250.0871 / 31 y/$764,350 (25)$234,085$234,085
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O'Brien, Rileyrhp20178229301.0081 / 31 y/$769,000 (25)$562,129A1A2A3$562,129
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Pozo, Yohelc2013VEN280.0523 / 3$715,054$715,054
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Prieto, César2b2022CUB260.0003 / 3$44,589$44,589
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Raquet, Nicklhp20173103290.0003 / 3$27,668$27,668
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Robberse, Semrhp2019NLD230.0002 / 3$62,000$62,000
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Roby, Tekoahrhp2020386230.0003 / 3$62,000$62,000
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Saggese, Thomasss-2b20205145230.0203 / 31 y/$761,000 (25)$545,208$545,208
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Svanson, Mattrhp202113392260.0003 / 31 y/$760,000 (25)$507,112$507,112
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Veneziano, Anthony
lhp201910289270.0452 / 3KHG Spts1 y/$762,925 (25) $60,686$60,686
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Hampson, Garrettreleased 9/11/25$326,882$326,882
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Baker, Lukenclaimed by LA Dodgers 8/4/25$235,062$235,062
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Maton, Philtraded to Texas 7/31/25$1,365,591$1,365,591
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Matz, Steventraded to Boston 7/30/25$8,467,742$8,467,742
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Helsley, Ryantraded to NY Mets 7/30/25$5,554,839$5,554,839
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Fedde, Ericktraded to Atlanta 7/27/25$4,959,677$4,959,677
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Fedde, Erickto Atlanta, 7/27/25 trade$2,282,903$2,282,903
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Fedde, Erickportion paid by Milwaukee($134,839)($134,839)
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Barrero, Joseoutrighted 6/27/25$248,387$248,387
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Vilade, Ryanclaimed by Cincinnati 6/14/25$57,957$57,957
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Helman, Michaelclaimed by Pittsburgh 5/14/25$31,974$31,974
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Loutos, Ryantraded 5/1/25 $175,382$175,382
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Arenado, Nolanpaid by Colorado in 2/21 trade($5,000,000)($5.000)($5,000,000)($5.000)
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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
$137,955,865
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Projected 40-man Year-End Payroll
$134,546,200$72.398$38.000$5.000$0.000
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Projected 40-man CB Tax Payroll
$154,950,458$87.522$68.222$20.667$21.167
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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
$86,049,542$156.478$178.778$229.333$232.833
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Projected CB Tax (first-time payor in 2025)
Rates 20% / 32% / 62.5% / 80%$0
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Cardinals CBT History
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The Cardinals payroll has never exceeded the threshold for MLB's competitive balance tax.
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Notes on St. Louis Deferral Estimates
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* Nolan ArenadoLR present value: $242,819,734 (4.00% discount rate). CBT: Discounted only for 2021 deferral. Not discounted for 2022-27 (0% interest, 0.38% discount rate).
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* Sonny GrayLR present value: $73,790,787 (10.00% discount rate). CBT present value: $74,398,553 (4.43% discount rate).
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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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