WestEddy Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 #5 The Rays. As Promised! The Cheapest Organizations I’ve played for. Follow for More! Today #5 The Rays rank fifth on my list of the cheapest organizations I played for during my Major League career. To be fair, this was under a completely different ownership and management group than… https://t.co/NakRLi6AXh — Seth McClung (@Seth_3773) September 30, 2025 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted October 2 Author Share Posted October 2 Quote As Promised! The Cheapest Organizations I’ve played for. Follow for More! Today #5 The Rays rank fifth on my list of the cheapest organizations I played for during my Major League career. To be fair, this was under a completely different ownership and management group than what the team has today. At the time, we had a talented roster, but the team was very young and inexperienced—both on the field and when it came to understanding what our rights were under the collective bargaining agreement. The organization was focused on cutting costs wherever they could Some of the ways this showed up: • I wasn’t always paid meal money while on the road rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. • The younger guys weren’t told that we could take a uniform set home at the end of the season. When we eventually found out, management wasn’t happy about it. (A lot of our uniforms ended up on eBay) • The team was strict about us throwing balls into the stands during batting practice, which always upset them. • There was a lot of roster manipulation—clearly aimed at service time concerns and keeping young guys on the roster. In 2003, I remember Alex Rodriguez made more individually than our entire team’s payroll. • It was tough to get extra gear; sometimes I’d rather check the lost and found than deal with the hassle of requesting something new. • The team required a lot of community appearances. I personally enjoyed these, though not everyone did. I want to add that I now have a great relationship with the current Rays organization. They’ve treated me very well, providing tickets and items for raffles and for the kids at my camps. It’s clear they’ve moved away from a lot of those previous cost-saving behaviors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted October 2 Author Share Posted October 2 #4 The Pirates: Coming in at number four on the Cheapest Organizations I played for #Pittsburgh: My (Very Short) Stint With the Pirates Coming in at number four on my list is the Pittsburgh Pirates. My time with the organization was brief—I only spent spring training with them—but even in… https://t.co/NakRLi6AXh — Seth McClung (@Seth_3773) October 1, 2025 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted October 2 Author Share Posted October 2 Quote Coming in at number four on the Cheapest Organizations I played for #Pittsburgh: My (Very Short) Stint With the Pirates Coming in at number four on my list is the Pittsburgh Pirates. My time with the organization was brief—I only spent spring training with them—but even in that short period, I noticed plenty of signs that led me to label them "cheap." To start, I was officially in minor league camp, but I kept getting pulled over to the big league side. This is a subtle way teams can save money: they get a big league-caliber arm available for games and workouts, but since I wasn’t officially on the major league roster, they didn’t have to pay me major league spring training money or provide the usual housing. Even small things stood out. At big league camp, everyone was wearing team-issued gear, but I was never given the same, not even a simple hoodie for a cold day (thank you, Charlie Morton, for lending me one). One day, after a workout in the big league weight room, I went to grab a protein drink—like everyone else—only to be told I couldn’t have it because I wasn’t officially part of the big league camp. Eventually, I was released out of camp. No hard feelings—it happens. But I pitched well: 10 innings, 11 strikeouts, just 1 walk, 3 hits, and zero runs with velocity sitting 94-97 mph. I was slotted to make $15,000 a month in the minors, which is pretty standard for someone with my experience. I was the perfectly serviceable depth guy; I could’ve been called up if needed. Still, the Pirates chose to release me—most likely, I believe, as a cost-saving move. Now, this next part wasn’t necessarily "cheap," but it struck me as odd. When I was released, I received a packet—something I hadn’t gotten from other teams when I’d been cut before. It was filled with advertisements: technical schools, job placement programs, and coupons for local restaurants. It felt just like the kind of ad packet businesses sponsor for a high school sports program. What really stood out, though, was a large section dedicated to United States military recruitment. It made me wonder: Is this what they give 20-year-old players when their big league dream ends? “Sorry, it didn’t work out—maybe give the Army a try?” I support our military, but being handed that kind of material right after being released from baseball seemed off. Most guys at that stage aren’t in the right mindset for a life-changing decision, and it seemed out of touch given the moment. All in all, the experience was eye-opening. #Pirates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrockway Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 (edited) didn't this guy play for the Windy City Bulls for, like, 10 days? 3 time slam dunk champion Edited October 2 by nrockway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted October 2 Author Share Posted October 2 5 minutes ago, nrockway said: didn't this guy play for the Windy City Bulls for, like, 10 days? That was his nephew, Mac McClung. Mac McClung - Wikipedia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrockway Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 14 minutes ago, WestEddy said: That was his nephew, Mac McClung. Mac McClung - Wikipedia Oh. Interesting anecdotes and not surprising, but I'm always skeptical when people I've never heard of air out their grievances like this on social media. Especially because this guy hasn't played baseball in over a decade. According to his Wikipedia page, he only played within 6 MLB orgs and never found a role. I wonder if his top 5 will entail los Sultanes de Monterrey or 統一7-ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇn獅. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 9 playoff appearances in thirty years with a payroll that averaged 25th through 27th is pretty darned good for the Rays. Two WS appearances/AL pennants as well playing in the toughest/richest division in baseball and in one of the worst stadiums in baseball that JR once fought for lol????? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 (edited) Brewers and the Cubs two of the other answers...lol. Going to be the Marlins instead of the Cubs. Or the Texas Rangers... But he didn't have an opportunity to play with the White Sox/Guardians/Twins to truly compare!!!!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_McClung Edited October 2 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chw42 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 3 minutes ago, caulfield12 said: Brewers and the Cubs two of the other answers...lol. He also played for the Marlins and Rangers system at one point. For a guy who has only played for 7 yeams, it's kind of weird to list the 5 cheapest teams he's played for. I'm assuming the Marlins and Brewers will make the list, with the Marlins probably at #1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted October 2 Author Share Posted October 2 12 minutes ago, chw42 said: He also played for the Marlins and Rangers system at one point. For a guy who has only played for 7 yeams, it's kind of weird to list the 5 cheapest teams he's played for. I'm assuming the Marlins and Brewers will make the list, with the Marlins probably at #1. I just think it's interesting the lengths a team will go to save a few hundred dollars. I'm gonna guess he's got some gruesome stories from the Mexican teams. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chw42 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 9 minutes ago, WestEddy said: I just think it's interesting the lengths a team will go to save a few hundred dollars. I'm gonna guess he's got some gruesome stories from the Mexican teams. Oh I thought he was only gonna list the MLB teams. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteSox2023 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 (edited) Shouldn’t this thread go in “The Diamond Club”? It doesn’t look like he ever played for the White Sox. And not to excuse the cheap teams out there, but if this guy wasn’t an absolutely terrible pitcher, some teams would have valued him more and paid him. It would be like Cam Booser complaining about the Sox being cheap to him. 🤣 Edited October 2 by WhiteSox2023 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buehrle>Wood Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 The write-up on the Rays sounds wayyyyy worse than the Pirates one. Also " I was officially in minor league camp, but I kept getting pulled over to the big league side. This is a subtle way teams can save money: they get a big league-caliber arm available for games and workouts, but since I wasn’t officially on the major league roster, they didn’t have to pay me major league spring training money or provide the usual housing." Every team does this regardless of funds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 (edited) This just reinforced the fact that the Rays invested every penny into being cost efficient and running the best major league team possible with limited resources. Pretty much the exact opposite of the White Sox, who spend like drunken sailors on the dumbest things over the last twenty years or so. And what's the headline here? The White Sox MIGHT NOT be one of the five cheapest organizations, but we can't really be sure??? "The organization let Rodon walk, and not for the $22MM or whatever he made in 2022 while putting up his 2nd straight top 5 Cy Young season, but because of the $18MM qualifying offer they were too afraid to offer him. When I was told about the innards of what happened with Rodon from someone EXTREMELY close to the situation (hint hint), that's when my ears perked up and I started to think they were actually in the process of hoodwinking their fans. In hindsight, that realization didn't strike me when they half assed the Machado/Harper pursuit like it should have. It was when they were too afraid of paying a SP1 $18MM for a one year deal. It was always about money for the club. ALWAYS. We were fucking hoodwinked, beyond belief and the same owner and front office who constructed this roster with fucked up financial constraint are now tasked with starting over. Again. After they very publicly said they were going to act like a top tier franchise. Instead the organizational health is the worst it's ever been, at least for the entirety of my adult life." https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3476003/one-of-the-worst-organizations-in-baseball-the-chicago-white-sox-just-dealt-lucas-giolito-in-the-middle-of-their-competitive-window 7/29/2023 WhiteSoxDave Just weeks before the Chris Getz coup 'd etat. Edited October 2 by caulfield12 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted October 2 Author Share Posted October 2 43 minutes ago, caulfield12 said: This just reinforced the fact that the Rays invested every penny into being cost efficient and running the best major league team possible with limited resources. Pretty much the exact opposite of the White Sox, who spend like drunken sailors on the dumbest things over the last twenty years or so. And what's the headline here? The White Sox MIGHT NOT be one of the five cheapest organizations, but we can't really be sure??? "The organization let Rodon walk, and not for the $22MM or whatever he made in 2022 while putting up his 2nd straight top 5 Cy Young season, but because of the $18MM qualifying offer they were too afraid to offer him. When I was told about the innards of what happened with Rodon from someone EXTREMELY close to the situation (hint hint), that's when my ears perked up and I started to think they were actually in the process of hoodwinking their fans. In hindsight, that realization didn't strike me when they half assed the Machado/Harper pursuit like it should have. It was when they were too afraid of paying a SP1 $18MM for a one year deal. It was always about money for the club. ALWAYS. We were fucking hoodwinked, beyond belief and the same owner and front office who constructed this roster with fucked up financial constraint are now tasked with starting over. Again. After they very publicly said they were going to act like a top tier franchise. Instead the organizational health is the worst it's ever been, at least for the entirety of my adult life." https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3476003/one-of-the-worst-organizations-in-baseball-the-chicago-white-sox-just-dealt-lucas-giolito-in-the-middle-of-their-competitive-window 7/29/2023 WhiteSoxDave Just weeks before the Chris Getz coup 'd etat. This seems desperate. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 2 hours ago, WestEddy said: This seems desperate. But using Seth McClung, who raised points about another team from over a decade ago ... somehow elevates the White Sox? That seems even more desperate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 5 hours ago, caulfield12 said: But using Seth McClung, who raised points about another team from over a decade ago ... somehow elevates the White Sox? That seems even more desperate. It’s not that deep. The offseason has begun, we are just talking about stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 12 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said: It’s not that deep. The offseason has begun, we are just talking about stuff Sure it is. Otherwise he would have put it in the Diamond...cutting down those noticing it by 85%. If I put it here, it would have likely resulted in 2-3 snarky comments and the usual emoticons in reaction. Then a follow-up psychoanalysis from Cali and Rockway on the state of board discussion. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 13 minutes ago, caulfield12 said: Sure it is. Otherwise he would have put it in the Diamond...cutting down those noticing it by 85%. If I put it here, it would have likely resulted in 2-3 snarky comments and the usual emoticons in reaction. Then a follow-up psychoanalysis from Cali and Rockway on the state of board discussion. I’m glad instead of responding and discussing that you took it upon yourself to be the snarky comments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted October 2 Author Share Posted October 2 #3 - Mexican League Continuing my count down of top 5 cheapest organizations I’ve played for. Number 3 on My List of Cheapest Organizations: South of the Border with Mexico’s LMB Let’s talk about the Mexican League (LMB), which is supposed to be the MLB of Mexico. I didn’t expect it to be Major… https://t.co/NakRLi6AXh — Seth McClung (@Seth_3773) October 2, 2025 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted October 2 Author Share Posted October 2 Quote Continuing my count down of top 5 cheapest organizations I’ve played for. Number 3 on My List of Cheapest Organizations: South of the Border with Mexico’s LMB Let’s talk about the Mexican League (LMB), which is supposed to be the MLB of Mexico. I didn’t expect it to be Major League quality, but even so, I was surprised at just how cheap things could get. Case in point: the Puebla Pericos (Parrots). First, the uniforms. Ours had to be at least five years old. Now, that might not sound terrible, but think about it—five years is roughly 600+ games, and these were made of old-school, hard mesh material. They definitely weren’t comfortable. After seeing the state of my first-issued jersey, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to bring one home as a keepsake. Gear was basically nonexistent. I signed after the season started and ended up picking my equipment out of the lost and found—no tee shirts, shorts, or team apparel. Paychecks were another adventure. They were supposed to come on specific dates, but you’d end up getting them late, every time. There was always a sense of, “Will I actually get paid this week?” The clubhouse food was almost nonexistent, think chips and soda, and not much else. Nothing even remotely healthy. Honestly, I can’t remember there being any postgame food at all; you were pretty much on your own for meals. Language barriers were real. There was no interpreter for non-Spanish-speaking players. You might think that’s not a big deal, but it really was for me. Travel was its own ordeal. If we flew, you could count on at least four flight connections before finally arriving in the city where we’d play. Buses were old, usually smelled like spice (synthetic marijuana), and rides could last at least 10–16 hours often more. The clubhouse itself was straight out of the 1940s—old metal lockers in desperate need of a paint job, and not the kind of place you wanted to accidentally prick your finger on. The training room was bare, with very little in the way of materials, medical supplies, or anything to actually help you perform as an athlete. Overall, once you let go of any expectations for cleanliness or professional-level facilities, it wasn’t terrible. But it definitely wasn’t what you’d hope for from the “MLB of Mexico.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrockway Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 12 hours ago, caulfield12 said: Sure it is. Otherwise he would have put it in the Diamond...cutting down those noticing it by 85%. If I put it here, it would have likely resulted in 2-3 snarky comments and the usual emoticons in reaction. Then a follow-up psychoanalysis from Cali and Rockway on the state of board discussion. why am I catching strays!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 (edited) 13 minutes ago, nrockway said: why am I catching strays!!! Have to keep mods on their toes.... Edited October 3 by caulfield12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted October 3 Author Share Posted October 3 Number two on my list of cheapest organizations is actually a tie, and it’s somewhat of a surprise—between the Cubs (my last month with their AAA affiliate in Iowa) and, as expected, the Marlins (Spring Training). The Cubs make this list based on my stint at the end of the AAA… https://t.co/NakRLi6AXh — Seth McClung (@Seth_3773) October 3, 2025 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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