Adam Scott Actor

Small market baseball fans were treated to some good baseball in the first half of the 2011 MLB season. These four championship contenders started the season with a total payroll that ranked 25th or lower in the majors. These teams have less than half the payroll of big market franchises like the Chicago White Sox, Cubs and Mets. All figures are U.S. Today, estimating that at the beginning of the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the four legitimate contenders entering the pennant-Star team with a payroll less than $ 75,000,000. The Diamondbacks have led to a total payroll of $ 53,639,833, 25 years in the majors. Their 26-24 record in three games has put the Giants in the NL West. They are also a short distance from the Atlanta Braves for the NL wild card.

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are expected to challenge the Kansas City by the Central Division basement. A quick start and solid following them sitting in 47-42, a half-game back of Detroit. A $ 49,190,566, the Indians are one of the three teams that have a total payroll of $ 50,000,000 and stay in the race for the title. The Indians have lost three straight and it will be interesting to see if they can keep things come undone.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have not had the baseball postseason since losing seven-game series with the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS 1992. The Pirates were led by All-Star Andy Van Slyke and NL MVP Barry Bonds. At 47-43, they are only one game behind the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers in the lead in the AL Central. They are characterized by one third lowest payroll in the majors total $ 45,047,000. At $ 1,553,344, which have the lowest average salary of anyone on this list.

The Pirates could open their checkbooks and increased fuel end of the season is going to attract a new generation of enthusiasts. Will they jump on the opportunity or exude confidence in their young talent?

Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays symbolize the spirit and competitiveness of small market franchises. They have shown that computers do not need nine-digit salaries to compete with the traditional powers and larger markets. The Rays won the American League pennant in 2008 and the AL East in 2010 despite playing in a division with the Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Their 2011 payroll $ 41,053,571 began after separating from Carl Crawford (notes), Carlos Pena and Matt Garza (notes), last off-season. The Royals are the only organization with a lower payroll and are in rebuilding mode. That has not kept the Rays in six games will be removed from the Red Sox for the AL East and five from the Yankees for the AL wild card.

The Rays could double their payroll and still had 19. That is phenomenal, while the passionate game which Cubs.

Joshua Huffman was raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs fan. He immediately won the admiration of Cubs fans after watching many games on WGN for the 1990. His favorite was when Cubs Kerry Wood (Notes) 1-hitter, 20K show that he was denied only by a no-hitter Kevin Orie's defensive error. As a fan of the Packers and the Cubs, who suffered through Steve Bartman and "4 and 26" over a period of three months.

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