As Major League Baseball opens up for its 2026 season, the same question remains: are small-market teams still able to compete in modern Major League Baseball? With the Los Angeles Dodgers winning back-to-back World Series titles, over one billion dollars in deferrals, and a lineup worth about two billion dollars, how are small-market teams able to compete?
With the Miami Marlins opening-day line-up valued at just $77.3 million and others in the same financial situation, will player development, scouting, and analytics continue to be a few of the limited resources that small-market teams rely on? However, sustaining success is much harder when star players often leave for bigger contracts elsewhere. (Photo Credit: MLB Instagram account)
One of the biggest challenges for small market teams is retaining talent. When a player becomes a superstar, larger-market teams can offer more money and longer contracts than they previously received. This creates a cycle where the smaller teams develop great players but struggle to keep them long enough to build a championship-caliber roster. A result of this is that fans of these teams get frustrated, knowing that their favorite players may not be around long-term.
Some argue that the MLB still maintains competitive balance. Unlike other leagues, they do not have a salary cap, so teams can choose how to allocate their money. Good ownership, smart management, and a strong farm system can lead to a successful team. With other payment options chosen, like the Dodgers’ deferred payments of over $ 1 billion, teams fear severe long-term financial liabilities. Even paying the high luxury taxes can be scary for small-market teams, so staying within their budget is best. The recent playoff runs by lower-payroll teams show that it is still possible to compete, even if the odds are against them. Small-market teams have frequently disrupted the postseason despite lower payrolls, often defying odds to make deep runs. Some of those teams include: Arizona Diamondbacks (2023), Milwaukee Brewers (2021–2025), Tampa Bay Rays (2021–2023), Cleveland Guardians (2022, 2025), Cincinnati Reds (2025), and the Baltimore Orioles (2023).
While small-market teams can still compete in modern MLB, the financial system makes it significantly more difficult. Financial inequality continues to shape the league, and unless changes are made by team owners, management, or the MLB, big-market teams will likely continue to have the upper hand. However, the success of well-run small-market teams proves that competition is still thriving, though it may require a modernized approach to the game.
Work Cited
Bolin, E. W. (2026, March 11). Every MLB Team Payroll in 2026. Athlon Sports. https://athlonsports.com/mlb/every-team-payroll-in-2026
Bleier, E. (2023). 2023 Was a Win for Small-Market MLB Teams…Just Not in the Playoffs. INSIDEHOOK. nsidehook.com/sports/small-market-mlb-winners-losers-playoffs#:~:text=The%20Orioles%20(28th%20in%20payroll,)%20and%20Astros%20(8th).
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