Average MLB salary falls just short of $3 million

[December 01, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The average baseball salary fell just short of $3 million this year, with the percentage increase slowing to its lowest level since 2004.

The 926 players in the major leagues before rosters expanded in September averaged $2,996,000, according to the annual report of the players' association, which was obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

That is up just 2.4 percent from last year's average of $2.93 million. The increase had not been that small since a 2.5 percent drop in 2004.

[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]

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