· 2012 - San Francisco Giants - 6th highest payroll
· 2011 - St. Louis Cardinals - 11th highest payroll
· 2010 - San Francisco Giants - 9th highest payroll
· 2009 - New York Yankees - 1st in payroll
· 2008 - Philadelphia Phillies - 12th highest payroll
· 2007 - Boston Red Sox - 2nd highest payroll
· 2006 - St. Louis Cardinals - 11th highest payroll
· 2005 - Chicago White Sox - 13th highest payroll
· 2004 - Boston Red Sox - 2nd highest payroll
· 2003 - Miami (formerly Florida) Marlins - 25th highest payroll
· 2002 - LA Angels - 15th highest payroll
That's the farthest I can go back right now.
But also consider
this:
In the last 16 years: World Series Finalists in terms of payroll:
- Top 10 in payroll: 20/32 = 62.5%
- Middle 10: 8/32 = 25%
- Bottom 10: 4/32 = 12.5%
In the last 16 years: World Series Winners in terms of payroll:
- Top 10: 11/16 = 68.75%
- Middle 10: 4/16 = 25%
- Bottom 10: 1/16 = 6.25%