Check out the MLB Payroll dating back to 1984 to find out. 102: Brian McRae - $3,850,000.00 NEW YORK -- Zack Greinke and the Los Angeles Dodgers have knocked Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees off baseball's payroll perch, part of an offseason spending spree that has the average salary approaching $4 million for the first time. For instance, the Yankees are receiving $18.6 million from the Los Angeles Angels to cover most of the $21 million due to outfielder Vernon Wells, who has been released, and $13 million from the Cubs to pay most of the $18 million owed outfielder Alfonso Soriano. The average U.S. wage in 2012 was $42,498, according to the Social Security Administration, the latest figure available and an annual increase of 3.12 percent. 166: Hideo Nomo - $2,800,000.00

152: Steve Trachsel - $2,987,500.00 1: Gary Sheffield - $14,936,667.00 "With the type of revenues clubs are enjoying these days, the average salaries are going to go up.". 156: Allen Watson - $2,900,000.00 136: Pat Hentgen - $3,250,000.00 NHL and NFL have the strictest limits (Staudohar, 1998). 99: John Burkett - $4,000,000.00 74: Ramon Martinez - $4,800,000.00 70: Lance Johnson - $4,900,000.00 55: Vinny Castilla - $5,025,000.00 124: Ryan Klesko - $3,500,000.00

Greinke would have become the highest-paid player, even if Rodriguez was getting all his cash.

147: Mike Timlin - $3,025,000.00 101: Steve Avery - $3,900,000.00 7: Andres Galarraga - $8,400,000.00

Top Major League Baseball Salaries for 1998. 146: Omar Vizquel - $3,050,000.00 186: Mike Fetters - $2,475,000.00 3: Greg Maddux - $9,600,000.00 100: Mike Lansing - $3,950,000.00 17: Alex Fernandez - $7,000,000.00 Payroll figures factor in adjustments for cash transactions in trades, signing bonuses that are the responsibility of the club agreeing to the contract, option buyouts, and termination pay for released players. 12: Jeff Bagwell - $7,945,000.00 109: Donovan Osborne - $3,750,000.00

47: Jimmy Key - $5,390,825.00 "We've got great ownership and a great fan base, and we need to do what we can to win games," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said last week in Sydney, where Los Angeles swept its opening, two-game series against Arizona. 37: Dean Palmer - $5,825,000.00 184: Pat Meares - $2,500,000.00 105: Andy Pettitte - $3,800,000.00 Then year-by-year, starting in 2008, I ran … MLB Payrolls are available since 1988.

50: Barry Larkin - $5,300,000.00

Because of the ban, he will receive only $2,868,852 of his $25 million salary -- 21 days pay for the 183-day season.

185: Eric Davis - $2,500,000.00 Their manager was Jim Leyland.They played home games at Pro Player Stadium, and finished with a record of 54–108, last in the NL East. Players joining later in the season are not included but are also mostly immaterial in salary and cancelled out by similar-type players on other teams. 128: Jeff Kent - $3,400,000.00

83: Eric Karros - $4,500,000.00

49: John Valentin - $5,350,000.00 106: John Olerud - $3,750,000.00 Dodgers end Yanks' 15-year payroll streak, MLB playoff push: Blue Jays punch their ticket, plus current postseason bracket, How empty ballparks would have changed MLB history -- and could alter games this October, Blue Jays back in playoffs for first time since '16, Royals' Gordon to retire after 14 years with team, Dodgers' Buehler returns for final tuneup start, Sources: Cubs expect Wrigley crowd limits in '21, Alderson to be Mets president if sale approved, Auction of Scully's memorabilia tops $2 million, MLB players who break the internet: The most meme-worthy on each likely playoff team, Hispanic Heritage Month: Roberto Clemente tops list of baseball's legendary Latino faces, 'The W is all that matters': Cubs manager David Ross is already in playoff mode, Amid pandemic, Mexico's minor leaguers juggle side jobs, concerns, 'The Luke Voit Show': How out-of-nowhere MVP candidate became Yankees' leading slugger, 'This isn't fun': How everyone in baseball has navigated a very different season, How to play ESPN's Playoff Baseball Classic, Fantasy baseball forecaster for Week 9: Sept. 21-27. 76: Curt Schilling - $4,700,000.00

151: Delino DeShields - $3,000,000.00 181: Chipper Jones - $2,550,000.00 92: Robb Nen - $4,090,000.00 195: Bip Roberts - $2,300,000.00 11: Mike Piazza - $8,000,000.00 173: Dwight Gooden - $2,787,500.00