From the AP:

The recession has hit baseball salaries.

Teams cut payrolls for their active rosters and disabled lists by $47 million from Opening Day in 2008 to the first day of this season, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. That comes out to a drop of 1.7 percent.

“Clubs were cautious all winter with regards to the economy and were concerned the economy might have an impact on club revenue,” said Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer. “The spending reflected that for many clubs.”

The drop is the first since 2004 and just the second since the 1994-95 strike.

Looking at payroll team by team, 16 of the 30 major league clubs cut payroll. Among those who lowered spending — the mighty New York Yankees.

The full story and accompanying chart are worth checking out. You’ll note that the Twins, at a shade over $65 million, have the seventh-lowest payroll in baseball. That’s up about $3 million from last season, according to these figures, which also use salaries from the opening day roster.

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