BMO Private Bank Issues Annual Money Ball All-Star Break Report

TORONTO, ONTARIO and CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- (Marketwired) -- 07/16/15 -- Having reached the unofficial half-way mark of the 2015 season, BMO Private Bank today released its annual financial analysis of which Major League Baseball teams are hitting it out of the park, and which are striking out.

"In a sport without salary caps or league parity, unlike football, baseball is sports' closest thing to a free market," said Jack Ablin, Chief Investment Officer, BMO Private Bank. "It stands to reason that 'large market' teams, which can afford the most talented players, should win the most games. The results are always surprising and that's why we study it."

Mr. Ablin's Moneyball All-Star Break report examines whether money can buy a winning team. Here are his top and bottom performers of the 2015 season so far, based on payroll and performance:

American League:

The Top:

--  Kansas City Royals - Last year's AL champs are at it again. The team is
    delivering a winning percentage over .600 even though, based on our
    model, they were expected to win roughly half their games given their
    $133 million payroll.

--  Minnesota Twins - The front office ponied up $23 million in additional
    salaries this year; given their $108 million payroll, our model
    predicted the Twins would be a 45-44 at this point of the year. After
    limping out of the starting gate with a 1-6 record, the Twins bounced
    back, arriving at midseason 49-40. Minnesota paid up for talent and it
    appears to be working.

--  Houston Astros - Houston are the best team in the American League, and
    they don't have a single "superstar." In fact, the Astros have the
    second-lowest payroll in all of baseball at just over $69 million.
    Bravo.

The Bottom:

--  Oakland Athletics - The Athletics, a perennial Moneyball darling, is on
    the losing end this year. At 41-50, the As are four wins behind what our
    model predicted and 15 wins below where they were last year - despite
    increasing their coffers by $2 million this year.

--  Seattle Mariners - For a great football town, Seattle plays host to a
    continually disappointing baseball team. The Mariners are 39-46 and
    they're falling about four games below what our payroll model predicted.

--  Boston Red Sox - Boston's 42-47 belies their $187 million payroll; our
    model predicted 45 wins. The team is on pace to score fewer runs than
    they did last year. Clearly the team is leaking oil, and money.

To view the chart, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1017604a.jpg

National League:

The Top:

--  St. Louis Cardinals - At 51-27, the Cardinals own the best record in
    baseball and are sitting high atop the NL Central division. The keys to
    the Redbird's success are their pitching and their ability to harvest
    their farm system.

--  Pittsburgh Pirates - The Pirates are delivering another strong showing
    this year. This time around their payroll is more than $10 million
    higher. At 53-35, the Pirates are standouts even though they trail the
    Cardinals by 2.5 games. Our model predicted Pittsburgh to be at 42-46,
    given their $88 million payroll. This low budget team is forced to
    compete with St. Louis ($120mm), Chicago ($119mm) and Milwaukee
    ($105mm).

--  Chicago Cubs - The Cubs are spending money this year and General Manager
    Theo Epstein is getting results. The Northsiders upped their payroll by
    a whopping $30 million and they've acquired some talent. At 47-40, the
    Cubs hold their best all-star break record since 2008, representing only
    the second year the team has been over .500 since 2009.

The Bottom:

--  Philadelphia Phillies - At 29-62, the club is the only team in MLB not
    to have 30 wins under their belt. Our model predicted Philadelphia would
    have had 45 wins at this point; ouch. Even though they cut their payroll
    by more than $40 million, the Phillies still spend $135 million on
    talent.

--  Milwaukee Brewers - Going into the midseason break, the Brewers stood at
    38-51, a record worthy of last place in the NL Central division. While
    Milwaukee has played better baseball recently, the season is shaping up
    to be a washout.

--  Colorado Rockies - Sitting with a record of 39-49, the Rockies are in
    last place in the NL West and hold one of the worst winning percentages
    in all of baseball. At $102 million, the Rockies are spending $6 million
    more than last year's disappointing season.

To view the chart, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1017406b.jpg

About BMO Private Bank, a Part of BMO Financial Group

BMO Private Bank offers a comprehensive range of wealth management services that include investment advisory, trust, banking and financial planning to meet the financial needs of high net worth clients. Through integrated teams of experienced financial professionals, BMO Private Bank helps its clients realize their financial and lifestyle goals with solutions that are custom tailored and delivered with the highest level of personalized service.

BMO Private Bank is a brand name used in the United States by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. Not all products and services are available in every state and/or location.

Contacts:
For any media inquiries and/or
for a full copy of the report, please contact:
Tracy Truong
[email protected]
(416) 867-3996

Source: BMO Financial Group and BMO Private Bank

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