Statement: “The San Diego Padres began the season with the 29th-highest payroll in baseball, at just under $38 million — or about two-thirds of what the Yankees spent on the left side of their infield,” The New York Times reported on its baseball blog, Bats, Oct. 3.
Analysis: The Gray Lady took a look at the Padres’ uncertain future following their disappointing season-ending loss on the final day of the 2010 season. The team that few people gave any chance of competing this year came within one game of playing for the National League’s Western Division championship and nearly made the playoffs.
Fact Check: The Thrifty Padres
['San_Diego_Padres', 'New_York_Yankees', 'The_New_York_Times']