MLB: A New Playoff Formula [Russell Adams]

When the New York Mets and San Diego Padres take the field for their respective first-round playoff series next week, there will be one big difference between the two teams: about $32 million.

That's the gap in what their likely starting nine players are making this year. In fact, the Mets have eight players on their roster who each alone make more than the Padres are spending on their entire starting infield, catcher included.

Thanks to opportunistic trades, calculated gambles and a predilection for underappreciated players, the Padres have assembled a legitimate contender with mostly cheap parts... (For more go to the WSJ site...)