Major League Baseball

Marlins agree to increase team payroll

Published Jan. 12, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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The perennially frugal Florida Marlins have reached an agreement with the players' union to increase spending in the wake of complaints the team payroll has been so small as to violate Major League Baseball's revenue sharing provisions.

The deal was announced on Tuesday in a joint statement by the Marlins, the union and MLB. The parties did not comment beyond the statement, and it was unclear how much the Marlins' payroll might increase.

The agreement runs through 2012, when the Marlins' new ballpark is scheduled to open.

"In response to our concerns that revenue sharing proceeds have not been used as required, the Marlins have assured the union and the commissioner's office that they plan to use such proceeds to increase player payroll annually as they move toward the opening of their new ballpark," said Michael Weiner, executive director of the players' association.

MLB's basic agreement calls for each club to use its revenue sharing receipts in an effort to improve the team. In recent years, the union has complained the requirement was not met by some teams, including the Marlins.

Plagued by poor attendance in their current home, the Marlins have had the lowest payroll in MLB in three of the past four seasons.

But the team has still played well. Last year, for example, the Marlins were second in the National League East division with a payroll of $37 million, while the New York Mets were fourth despite a payroll of $136 million.

The Marlins won the World Series in 1997 and 2003.

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