Minor Leaguers income ...

[ScrapTheNickname]

What minor league players earn is a travesty. That is a given. This is not a topic about how to rectify this, but that would be okay to discuss as well. I am interesting in finding out exactly what specific minor league ball players have earned or are earning. Doug Bernier came up in a thread today (The Twins released him). He's 35 years old. Out of curiosity I would like to know how much he has earned throughout his career. Does anyone know if this information is available, and if so, where may I find it.

 

All thanks. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

What minor league players earn is a travesty. That is a given. This is not a topic about how to rectify this, but that would be okay to discuss as well. I am interesting in finding out exactly what specific minor league ball players have earned or are earning. Doug Bernier came up in a thread today (The Twins released him). He's 35 years old. Out of curiosity I would like to know how much he has earned throughout his career. Does anyone know if this information is available, and if so, where may I find it.

 

All thanks. 

 

 

Honestly, I don't really know if there is any way to find that. We can assume he made an average of about $2000 per month for the first six years of his minor league career. So, that's $10,000 times six years... $60,000. 

 

I think he's had 7 years since then. Minor League free agents get offered a variety a range of deals. 6-year minor league free agents who haven't reached AAA likely will get offered maybe $4000-5000 a month. Someone like Bernier, who had that one-week cup of coffee with the Rockies in 2008 likely was able to get closer to $14,000 per month for a few years. Figure about that amount for 2009-2012... that's about $70,000 a year for four years. So, about $280,000.

 

Then he came to the Twins before the 2013 season. Here are my guesses...

 

2013 - he spent half of the season with the Twins, so that's 1/2 of the league minimum ($250,000). Let's say $15,000 per month for April through June, and that's another $45,000. ($300,000)

 

2014 - I'd guess his minor league pay would have been about $90,000. He spent a week or two with the Twins, so that's likely $25,000. ($115,000)

 

2015 - Probably the same $90,000. A couple weeks in the big leagues, $25,000. ($115,000)

 

So, I would guess he's made somewhere in the neighborhood of $900,000 in baseball... high side would probably be $1 million. 

 

The Twins didn't release him. He was a free agent and they didn't bring him back. The Rangers just signed him this week, likely offering that $15,000 to $20,000 per month range again. 

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Honestly, I don't really know if there is any way to find that. We can assume he made an average of about $2000 per month for the first six years of his minor league career. So, that's $10,000 times six years... $60,000. 

 

I think he's had 7 years since then. Minor League free agents get offered a variety a range of deals. 6-year minor league free agents who haven't reached AAA likely will get offered maybe $4000-5000 a month. Someone like Bernier, who had that one-week cup of coffee with the Rockies in 2008 likely was able to get closer to $14,000 per month for a few years. Figure about that amount for 2009-2012... that's about $70,000 a year for four years. So, about $280,000.

 

Then he came to the Twins before the 2013 season. Here are my guesses...

 

2013 - he spent half of the season with the Twins, so that's 1/2 of the league minimum ($250,000). Let's say $15,000 per month for April through June, and that's another $45,000. ($300,000)

 

2014 - I'd guess his minor league pay would have been about $90,000. He spent a week or two with the Twins, so that's likely $25,000. ($115,000)

 

2015 - Probably the same $90,000. A couple weeks in the big leagues, $25,000. ($115,000)

 

So, I would guess he's made somewhere in the neighborhood of $900,000 in baseball... high side would probably be $1 million. 

 

The Twins didn't release him. He was a free agent and they didn't bring him back. The Rangers just signed him this week, likely offering that $15,000 to $20,000 per month range again. 

Thanks for all the input, Seth.

 

It seems strange to me that a database containing the salaries of all minor league players is not available. While not a coverup, it certainly isn't a full, proud, accounting. You mention that because Bernier got a week of major league experience that his minor league salary went up because of that? Or it went up overall? Anyway, not vitally important. Overall, just wish there was a way to look at income throughout the TWINS system.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Thanks for all the input, Seth.

 

It seems strange to me that a database containing the salaries of all minor league players is not available. While not a coverup, it certainly isn't a full, proud, accounting. You mention that because Bernier got a week of major league experience that his minor league salary went up because of that? Or it went up overall? Anyway, not vitally important. Overall, just wish there was a way to look at income throughout the TWINS system.

 

It would have gone up because following that season, he became a free agent, at which point there are no real rules. 

[Rosterman]

There is no reason to track controlled minor league players. They make squat for the first few years, which is where some sort of bonus money comes in handy.

 

The downside is that they get paid for when they play. They have to find a way to live and support themselves in the off-season. During the season, they can keep their expenses down (group roomate, in the low levels live in homes. They egt some sort of food at the clubhouse and some meal money on the road. Considering all that you have to do in that time is show up, play ball, work out and such...if you are doing that, you don't have a lot of time for otehr things.

 

If married, have family, and have to keep a household going, that is a different story.

 

Again, you do get a signing bonus. How it is spent will see you thru the first couple of years.

 

The average life of the majority of guys signed in the minor league draft is probably 2-3 years. By that time, you have hopefully risen to a higere level of play (thus a hughly monthly salary).

 

But, yes, it can be as little as $1,200-1,500 a month in the way low minors and instructional league (for months played) and as high as $3-5,000 a month in the upper levels.

 

When you are added to the 40-man, you get a good pay boost. When you become a minor league free agent and have put in the time, you get a pay boost. Making $50,000 a season is not unlikely. BUT the teams still have to work within a payroll.

 

Of course, the dream is to make the big leagues where you can get that big money, like $10,000 grand -- every week. Yes, you have dues and taxes and clubhouse fees and such. But pretty much everything is supplied including food, and you can probably afford to rent a hotel room every day you are at a homestand (Dustan Mohr did this).

 

I'm not saying it is right, but a lot of other professions (the arts, for example) have low-paying frontend jobs weeding out the wannabees and such. You do have to have the drive to sit it out. Yes, it can be pretty hardline (like being a camp counselor, for example) and you don't want to be a career minor league guy...or maybe you do because if you can find a job you can get paid. 

 

It's what you do in the offseason that is a tell.

 

Remember, it was not so long ago (well, in my lifetime) that baseball players HAD to work, the majorty, in some non-athletic job during the offseason. And though they did get paid better than, say, my dad, they had short careers, or even if they had a decent bench career, still weren't totally rich and what was the skill set for finding a job out of baseball if you started right out of high school. If you got an education, you could coach. Otherwise, factory, open your own small business.

 

Every year the Twins employ some 175 players in their entire system. They add 50 a year, subtract 50 a year at some level. Some barely make it out of the instructional league. How many stay in for 6-7 years? How many make the majors (and then, BIG MONEY). How many of the Big Money is just a Cup of Coffee?

 

 

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

I saw something published once (long time ago though)... it was pretty much peanuts.  I want to say once you made it to AAA you were doing OK (something like 30-50k but I could be wrong there), but prior to that you weren't making minimum wage.  40 man roster add got a bump too.

 

But yeah, 2 weeks of MLB pay check is pretty big to these guys. 

[DaveW]

This is why I always find it annoying when people complain about how guys like Mauer, Grienke etc get paid the big bucks, they earned it plain and simple and by them taking max value they are estentially helping out all the lower paid major league players as well.

 

As far as minor league pay: it sorta is what it is. The minor league teams aren't exactly raking in the money. I would like to see them increase it a bit, but I don't see it happening.

[Halsey Hall]

Nick Punto once told me he made $800 a month when he started.  It's gotta be more than that now. 

[David Iverson]

According to http://www.sportslawblogger.com/baseball/salary-information/minor-league-salary/, minor league salaries for the first year in each league are (not sure when this was written though:

• $1150/mo for short season leagues
• $1300/mo for low A
• $1500/mo for high A
• $1700/mo for AA
• $2150/mo for AAA

The salary is a bit higher per month for your 2nd, 3rd, etc. years in a league, and the players get $25/day on the road for meal money.

 

Once players are on the 40 man it's a bit better, with 2015 salaries of $41,400 for the 1st year on the 40 man, and $82,700 for the 2nd year.

 

I have to say, in my opinion it is terrible how little your average minor leaguer gets paid, and its only the folks drafted in the top few rounds that get huge bonuses.  I think your average 25th rounder only gets a few thousand for a signing bonus, and then heads off to a short season league where $1150/mo for 3 months is a whopping $3450.

[Rosterman]

 

According to http://www.sportslawblogger.com/baseball/salary-information/minor-league-salary/, minor league salaries for the first year in each league are (not sure when this was written though:

• $1150/mo for short season leagues
• $1300/mo for low A
• $1500/mo for high A
• $1700/mo for AA
• $2150/mo for AAA

The salary is a bit higher per month for your 2nd, 3rd, etc. years in a league, and the players get $25/day on the road for meal money.

 

Once players are on the 40 man it's a bit better, with 2015 salaries of $41,400 for the 1st year on the 40 man, and $82,700 for the 2nd year.

 

I have to say, in my opinion it is terrible how little your average minor leaguer gets paid, and its only the folks drafted in the top few rounds that get huge bonuses.  I think your average 25th rounder only gets a few thousand for a signing bonus, and then heads off to a short season league where $1150/mo for 3 months is a whopping $3450.

Yes, but you are getting paid to PLAY BASEBALL, to see if you and the sport can agree with each other. Yes IT IS PEANUTS. Imagine what the pay is in the Indy Leagues. I'm an old theatre person, I put my time in at summer stock where basically got room/board, or at short-term theater jobs (the killer is maintaining an apartment at home or subletting for 2-3 months). It's part of the process. Everyone, think back to where you were as an 18-year-old or a 21-year-old and what you would choose to do if you had an opportunity to do something for love (and a future you like) or just to take a job and go forth and locked into whatever for life.

 

[DaveW]

It should be noted that a lot of the food/lodging/travel are all paid for the 50% of the time the players are on the road anyways. Often times guys in the low minors are set up with a host family as well, eliminating housing costs and food costs once again.

 

I mean it's still a small amount of money, but expenses aren't crazy.

[Thrylos]

 

According to http://www.sportslawblogger.com/baseball/salary-information/minor-league-salary/, minor league salaries for the first year in each league are (not sure when this was written though:

• $1150/mo for short season leagues
• $1300/mo for low A
• $1500/mo for high A
• $1700/mo for AA
• $2150/mo for AAA

 

Totally agree about the disparity of salary between the majors and the minors, but chew on this for a second:

 

Average stipend (aka salary) for PhD level graduate students (teaching assistants or research assistants) in Cornell University in 2015-2016:

 

$2096/mo  (and not $25 x 30 = $750 meal money)

 

There are more than one perspectives really. 

But they should take care of the kids better, esp since $25 a day might not even pay for one meal for them...

[Don Walcott]

Reminds me of the story in Hrbek's book about when he was getting nothing playing in the minors, buying large amounts of eggs as the main food staple.  One day he dropped a carton of eggs after coming home from the store, which basically brought him to tears.  However, there was a certain pride he had of going through that time with no money, and dreaming of getting to the big leagues.  Love that guy.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

According to http://www.sportslawblogger.com/baseball/salary-information/minor-league-salary/, minor league salaries for the first year in each league are (not sure when this was written though:

• $1150/mo for short season leagues
• $1300/mo for low A
• $1500/mo for high A
• $1700/mo for AA
• $2150/mo for AAA

The salary is a bit higher per month for your 2nd, 3rd, etc. years in a league, and the players get $25/day on the road for meal money.

 

Once players are on the 40 man it's a bit better, with 2015 salaries of $41,400 for the 1st year on the 40 man, and $82,700 for the 2nd year.

 

I have to say, in my opinion it is terrible how little your average minor leaguer gets paid, and its only the folks drafted in the top few rounds that get huge bonuses.  I think your average 25th rounder only gets a few thousand for a signing bonus, and then heads off to a short season league where $1150/mo for 3 months is a whopping $3450.

Thanks for the source. Nice.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Yes, but you are getting paid to PLAY BASEBALL, to see if you and the sport can agree with each other. Yes IT IS PEANUTS. Imagine what the pay is in the Indy Leagues. I'm an old theatre person, I put my time in at summer stock where basically got room/board, or at short-term theater jobs (the killer is maintaining an apartment at home or subletting for 2-3 months). It's part of the process. Everyone, think back to where you were as an 18-year-old or a 21-year-old and what you would choose to do if you had an opportunity to do something for love (and a future you like) or just to take a job and go forth and locked into whatever for life.

I don't believe Theater (or the Arts in general) is comparable to MLB/MiLB which is one structural system built from the bottom to the top. Yes, winnowing out the inefficient players is part of the process, but why not spread some of of that extraordinary wealth throughout the minors? As is, the distinct impression one gets is that certain human lives (and more and more come from impoverished countries, mostly in the Caribbean and South America) don't matter while they're being used. Why not use them - and pay them a wage that is more in line with how much money is being made throughout MLB?

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Yes, but you are getting paid to PLAY BASEBALL, 

Right there is what I have a problem with.  Many of us, regular people, think of how this is a GAME we played as children and how privileged these players should be that they get paid to play a game.  Yet we often completely ignore the other aspect of this GAME in that teams/owners are making profits hand over fist. We no longer live in the times that teams can cry poor because nearly all of them have huge television deals and/or receiving financial aid.

 

 Teams are spending 100+ million on their major league roster.  If each MLB club were to actually give their players a "living wage" it would only cost a club another million or so which is a drop in the bucket.  In the long game of things, isn't it worst paying your young developing players so they can afford to eat better, live better and thus produce better in the future?  It might be just me but many MLB clubs are short changing themselves from their own players growth and development.

[Seth Stohs]

Since this started about Doug Bernier, I'll remind people that he likely got no signing bonus, maybe a couple hundred dollars.

 

Those minor league salaries are most accurate, with some variance. These guys make far less than minimum wage.

 

They are paid to play baseball. Yes. But it is their profession. It is their job.

 

Also, the MLB team pays minor league salaries, not the minor league owners.

 

Sorry to lump a bunch of responses together.

[old nurse]

 

Totally agree about the disparity of salary between the majors and the minors, but chew on this for a second:

 

Average stipend (aka salary) for PhD level graduate students (teaching assistants or research assistants) in Cornell University in 2015-2016:

 

$2096/mo  (and not $25 x 30 = $750 meal money)

 

There are more than one perspectives really. 

But they should take care of the kids better, esp since $25 a day might not even pay for one meal for them...

To be in a phd program at Cornell is equivalent to being a first round draft pick in baseball, therefore the PHD student earns less as they did not get a million dollar signing bonus.

[old nurse]

All jobs should be a living wage with a little less going to the top. Baseball mirrors life.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

According to http://www.sportslawblogger.com/baseball/salary-information/minor-league-salary/, minor league salaries for the first year in each league are (not sure when this was written though:

• $1150/mo for short season leagues
• $1300/mo for low A
• $1500/mo for high A
• $1700/mo for AA
• $2150/mo for AAA

The salary is a bit higher per month for your 2nd, 3rd, etc. years in a league, and the players get $25/day on the road for meal money.

 

Once players are on the 40 man it's a bit better, with 2015 salaries of $41,400 for the 1st year on the 40 man, and $82,700 for the 2nd year.

 

I have to say, in my opinion it is terrible how little your average minor leaguer gets paid, and its only the folks drafted in the top few rounds that get huge bonuses.  I think your average 25th rounder only gets a few thousand for a signing bonus, and then heads off to a short season league where $1150/mo for 3 months is a whopping $3450.

 

So is that monthly salary carried over the year, or is it just for the 5 months they work?

 

But yeah, that's pretty bad. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

It should be noted that a lot of the food/lodging/travel are all paid for the 50% of the time the players are on the road anyways. Often times guys in the low minors are set up with a host family as well, eliminating housing costs and food costs once again.

I mean it's still a small amount of money, but expenses aren't crazy.

 

That scenario doesn't bother me too much as there's value in that host family relationship that doesn't necessarily show up in these discussions, though I think that pretty much takes care of rookie ball. Once you hit full season ball though, or reach a certain age, I'm guessing that is pretty much out the door.

[diehardtwinsfan]

By the say, if anything else, this should make us all appreciate it when a guy like TR gives that journeyman a call up for a few weeks or lets them stay on the 40 man over the winter.  Sometimes the 'just cut them' mentality ignores the many years of blood and sweat these guys put in to get there. 

[DaveW]

By the say, if anything else, this should make us all appreciate it when a guy like TR gives that journeyman a call up for a few weeks or lets them stay on the 40 man over the winter. Sometimes the 'just cut them' mentality ignores the many years of blood and sweat these guys put in to get there.

I don't think people have a problem with calling up minor league journey men, people have a problem with the Twins Continuing to roster MAJOR league journey men.

[Rosterman]

 

I don't think people have a problem with calling up minor league journey men, people have a problem with the Twins Continuing to roster MAJOR league journey men.

I seem to remember reading that in the old days Calvin Griffith was pretty liberal in calling up someone on the roster to give them that additional service time to get a pension in the end (as well as other major league teams). 

 

Big Question: Maybe minor league ballplayers need to be unionized. But then, would we just see the programs cut and colleges become the feeding zone exclusively for players who aren't high school phenoms?

[Guest]

 

So is that monthly salary carried over the year, or is it just for the 5 months they work?

 

But yeah, that's pretty bad. 

The players are not paid for their offseason. They do get paid for Arizona Fall League and, I believe (but don't recall for sure) fall instructional league. Otherwise, it's only while they are on the roster for a team.

 

Not many people realize they aren't paid for spring training, either (though the new academy in Ft Myers provides some real relief).

 

Think it isn't a big deal when you find out you made the Kernels roster out of spring training, as opposed to being the last guy cut before they head north? One will start getting paid poorly, one will stay in extended spring training and get paid nothing until the Kernels need them or until Etown starts their season in June.

 

And yes, the host family programs are a huge deal - where they exist. Those are administered by the minor league teams and don't exist everywhere. In addition, while some host family programs are free to the player, some involve a modest room & board charge. The players also have clubhouse dues to pay monthly.

 

The minor leagues are essentially an apprenticeship program and nobody suggests they get paid a ton. You want guys with drive and hunger to get to the big leagues, but I just don't think it makes much sense for MLB teams to have their young players going hungry or eating less than healthy diets. A little bit more would go a long way, imo.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

That was a big thing for players in the move from Beloit to Cedar Rapids. Besides significantly better facilities, Cedar Rapids provides host families for players. I believe the team covers their 'rent.' Beloit did not. Guys would have to pay rent. Also, Cedar Rapids provides the players with food after games (Steve will have to remind me if they do before games. I think they do.) Beloit did not. 

 

 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

That was a big thing for players in the move from Beloit to Cedar Rapids. Besides significantly better facilities, Cedar Rapids provides host families for players. I believe the team covers their 'rent.' Beloit did not. Guys would have to pay rent. Also, Cedar Rapids provides the players with food after games (Steve will have to remind me if they do before games. I think they do.) Beloit did not. 

Why didn't Beloit provide those things?  Is that something fully left to the local ownership?  You'd think a lot of support for that would come from the parent club.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Why didn't Beloit provide those things?  Is that something fully left to the local ownership?  You'd think a lot of support for that would come from the parent club.

 

The parent club pays the players, and I'm sure there are several other things they need to provide as well. 

 

Then the affiliate is required to do certain things as well. 

 

Again, Steve would probably be a better resource for what some of those things are. 

[Mike Sixel]

They have to pay club house dues? Wow.

 

glad I don't have to pay for my office.....

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The players are not paid for their offseason. They do get paid for Arizona Fall League and, I believe (but don't recall for sure) fall instructional league. Otherwise, it's only while they are on the roster for a team.

According to this, they don't get paid for instructional league either:

 

http://nysbar.com/blogs/EASL/2014/10/wage_discrimination_in_minor_l.html

 

That's terrible.  I mean, I understand some of the arguments for low wages during the season, particularly when the team helps with food and lodging.  But zero pay during spring training, extended spring training, and instructional leagues is blatantly wrong, and I am disappointed that it might take a lawsuit to correct it.