The $4.41 million average Thursday fell 0.9 per cent from last year’s starting figure of $4.45 million, according to the AP’s calculations. Boston had a $224 million payroll and topped the major leagues for the first time since at least the 1980s. The total of players making $1 million or more sank to 477, down from 487 last year, 492 in 2016 and 508 in 2015. There are 40 players making $20 million or more, an increase of two. Average and median salaries decline over the course of the season as veterans are released and replaced by younger players making closer to the minimum.

Source: National Post March 29, 2018 21:56 UTC