MLB: How many more wins does big money buy? 8, so far.

Payroll / Rank / Team / Current Record      Payroll / Rank / Team / Current Record          

$197m 1. Yankees  6-6                              $55m  30. Padres  3-10

$174m 2. Phillies 5-7                                 $55m  29. Athletics  5-7

$173m 3. Red Sox 4-8                               $60m  28. Astros    4-8             

$154m 4. Angels 4-8                                  $60m  27. Royals  3-9

$132m 5. Tigers 9-3                                   $63m  26. Pirates  5-7

Combined:      28-32                                     Combined:   20-41           

Money seems to be winning here early. How about managerial experience?  Here are the 5 MLB managers that have been with their current team the longest vs the 5 managers in their first year with a new team.

Year started / Manager / Team / Current Record       First Year's  

1999 1. Scioscia  Angels 4-8                                 Matheny  Cardinals  9-3

2002 2. Gardenhire  Twins  4-8                              Ventura   White Sox  6-5

2004 3. Manuel  Phillies  5-7                                 Guillen  Marlins  6-6             

2005 4. Leyland  Tigers  9-3                                  Valentine  Red Sox  4-8

2005 5. Maddon  Rays  6-6                                   Sveum   Cubs  3-9

     Combined:  28-32                                            Combined: 28-31

Dead heat.  Early on, money wins over experience.  3 of longest tenured managers have Top 5 payrolls.