In Major League Baseball, time means money. At least for the players. 

A comparison between all 30 MLB team ages and payrolls reflects a correlation between those two data points this season. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers began the 2025 season with the oldest roster in the majors and the highest team payroll at $321,043,853.

The Miami Marlins, conversely, have the youngest roster in MLB and carry the smallest payroll at $47,130,000. That equates to just 14.6% of what the Dodgers are spending on players. 

RELATED: MLB 2025 Futures Odds

Of the top 10 oldest teams in the majors, 8 rank in the top 10 in team payroll. The two outliers—the Red Sox and Chicago Cubs—rank 11th and 12th, respectively, in the 2025 payroll. 

Of the top 10 youngest teams in the majors, 8 rank in the bottom 10 in payroll. The two outliers—the Tigers and Twins—rank 17th and 18th, respectively, in the 2025 payroll. 

MLB’s official Opening Day this year is Thursday, March 27. The Dodgers and Cubs began the season in Japan on March 18. The Dodgers’ Average Roster Age was 31 years, 2 months, and 17 days when they beat the Cubs in the MLB season opener at Tokyo Dome. The Cubs began their season with the third-oldest roster in baseball. Their average roster was 30 years, 10 months, 9 days on March 18.

MLB Teams Ranked By Average Age In 2025

Here is a list of all 30 MLB teams ranked by age from the oldest to the youngest. All ages listed below are as of MLB’s official league-wide Opening Day of March 27. 

(As noted above, the Dodgers and Cubs begin their season with a 2-game series in Japan on March 18-19. Two teams, the Rays and Rockies, begin the season on Friday, March 28.)

Teams are also listed with their current projected Opening Day 2025 payroll.

Our age data was compiled using the FanGraphs' projected 26-man Opening Day roster for each team processed via ChatGPT. The salary data is via Spotrac. 

Last year, the New York Mets had the highest team payroll in MLB history at $333,262,507. They ranked 2^nd overall in average team age behind the Braves.

Oldest, Youngest MLB Players In 2025

The oldest player in the majors on Opening Day March 27 will be San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander. He will be 42 years, 1 month, 8 days old, and playing in his 21st MLB season.

Orioles starting pitcher Charlie Morton will be the oldest player in the American League. He will be 41 years, 4 months, 4 days old when the season begins.

Milwaukee outfielder Jackson Chourio will be the youngest player in the majors on Opening Day. He turned 21 on March 11.

Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday will be the youngest player in the American League come Opening Day at 21 years, 3 months, 23 days.

In terms of projected odds win totals, the Dodgers top MLB with 103.5. That’s a 10-game bulge over the No. 2 team, the Atlanta Braves. They clock in at 93.5.

The Chicago White Sox have the lowest projected win total of any MLB team at 53.5.