Chicago Cubs: Breaking down LCS teams and their payroll

Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher

throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers in the first inning in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Fred Thornhill-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Blue Jays –$138,309,664

Cost Per Win: $1,487,200

At almost $1.5 million per win, the Blue Jays paid more per win than any other remaining postseason team – but if you ask fans north of the border, they’d say it was worth every penny.

Just days after the Detroit Tigers said left-hander David Price wasn’t going to made available, Toronto swooped in and picked up the coveted ace, immediately bolstering their starting rotation for the stretch-run.

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Of course, that move cost the Jays several notable prospects and $7-million plus in payroll, but Price dominated down the stretch, leading Toronto to its first American East crown in decades. Along with the southpaw, the Blue Jays front office made a long-term splash, trading for Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki – showing they were, indeed, in it to win it.

With these moves came the expectation of October and, had the Jays not fended off the Texas Rangers’ efforts in the ALDS, Alex Anthopoulos may have found himself on a hot seat this winter. However, that’s not how it played out and the moves seem to have worked well for the Jays.

What makes Toronto’s long-term success even more likely is the fact they have a good chunk of money coming off the books this winter in Mark Buehrle ($19 MM), Price ($7.5 MM) and former Chicago Cubs backstop Dioner Navarro ($5 MM). Expect those resources to go right back into a starting pitcher to slot alongside Marcus Stroman atop the staff in 2016.

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