Major League Baseball revealed this week the slot values and bonus pools for each team. As reported by MLB.com, pick values have climbed 4.8 percent, reflecting the league’s rising revenue streams. The Cardinals notably jumped from the 13th to the 5th overall pick, which boosted their bonus pool by $2,610,500.

First, let’s quickly break down what a bonus pool actually is. The MLB draft uses a bonus pool system to manage spending and promote competitive balance. Each draft pick in the first 10 rounds has an assigned “slot value,” which is the amount MLB suggests should be spent on that pick. A team’s total bonus pool is the sum of all its slot values. For the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2025 Draft, their No. 5 overall selection carries a slot value of $7,822,200. Combined with the values of their other top-10-round picks, the Cardinals’ full bonus pool totals $11,314,600.

Teams must stick to their assigned bonus pool when signing players in the first 10 rounds to avoid penalties. While teams can negotiate individual deals either above or below the slot values, the combined total must stay within the bonus pool. Thanks to the Cardinals’ move into the top five, they not only pick earlier but also get extra funds to use throughout the first ten rounds. Many teams use the strategy of underpaying early picks to free up money for later-round prospects.

Going over the bonus pool limit triggers financial penalties, and major overspending can even cost a team future draft picks. Players selected after the 10th round can be signed for up to $150,000 without affecting the bonus pool, but any bonus above that amount counts against it.

Here’s a look at the bonus pools by team:

Mariners: $17,074,400

Rays: $16,699,400

Angels: $16,656,400

Nationals: $16,597,800

Orioles: $16,513,100

Rockies: $15,723,400

Marlins: $15,187,400

Cardinals: $14,238,300

Pirates: $14,088,400

Brewers: $13,138,100

Royals: $12,794,700

Twins: $12,653,000

Red Sox: $12,409,300

White Sox: $12,169,100

Reds: $11,836,800

Rangers: $10,991,300

Tigers: $10,990,800

Diamondbacks: $10,917,800

Athletics: $10,563,500

Blue Jays: $10,314,600

Guardians: $10,198,100

Cubs: $9,636,800

Braves: $9,081,100

Dodgers: $9,031,300

Giants: $8,403,300

Phillies: $7,849,400

Astros: $7,181,500

Padres: $6,569,100

Mets: $5,465,900

Yankees: $5,383,600

As previously mentioned, securing a top-five pick makes a huge difference for the Cardinals, especially as they work to bounce back from a tough year. This upcoming draft could be critical in helping the team rebuild and return to consistent success. I don’t usually pay close attention to the draft, but this year I’ll definitely be following it more closely. The Cardinals could be set for a major breakthrough, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds!