A'S PAYROLL EXPLAINED: When $15 Million Isn't $15 Million

The A’s payroll isn’t what it looks like on the surface. MLB uses three different definitions of money — Payroll (AAV), Annual Salary, and Annual Cash — and each one tells a different story. In this episode, we break down exactly how the A’s can claim they’re spending a certain number, while the actual cash handed to players can be far less. From signing bonuses to deferred money, we peel back the layers of the financial smoke and mirrors that define the A’s approach. This isn’t just about one team’s accounting trick; it’s about how the league allows owners to move numbers around like a shell game. For fans, it explains why the A’s payroll figures never match reality. For players, it’s the difference between a check today and a promise tomorrow. We’ll show you how a $15 million “salary” year can end up as just $10 million in cash, all while MLB’s books record it as a flat $12 million. If you’ve ever wanted to understand how the A’s — and baseball at large — twist payroll math, this is the episode. A’s payroll, A’s salary, MLB contracts explained, A’s deferred money, MLB payroll floor, A’s financial breakdown, baseball payroll explained, A’s annual cash vs salary, A’s creative accounting, MLB AAV explained, A’s Moneyball 2.0, Las Vegas Athletics payroll Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Time to fuel up and turn it up with 5-hour ENERGY®️ Transfusion! Go to https://5hourenergy.com today and use my promo code LOCKEDONGOLF to receive 20% off your order. This offer is only valid until September 30th on one order and cannot be used with other promotions. The code is not good on subscription orders. Supply House Join the TradeMaster program today at SupplyHouse.com/TM and start ordering plumbing, HVAC, and electrical supplies with just a few clicks. Plus, use promo code S-H-5 for 5% off your first order. That’s SupplyHouse.com! OpenPhone Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonmlb Gameday Hue Let your colors talk—because colors speak louder than words. Right now, you can get 15% off with code MLB15 at GamedayHue.com. Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONMLB at monarchmoney.com/lockedonmlb for 50% off your first year. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.