Although not typically the highest-paid infielders, first basemen can earn lucrative contracts, typically based on offensive production and power hitting.
Perennial all-star selection Freddie Freeman is the highest-paid MLB first baseman of 2024, raking in $27 million in AAV with the Dodgers.
Second on the list is Cody Bellinger, who makes $26.7 million in AAV with the Cubs. The 2017 NL Rookie of the Year and two-time Silver Slugger signed a three-year, $80 million deal with Chicago in February, and splits time between first base and the outfield.
Making $26 million in AAV, Kris Bryant comes in just shy of Bellinger at third on the list. Bryant also won Rookie of the Year when he started his career with the Cubs in 2015, and signed with the Colorado Rockies prior to the 2022 season.
Tied for third with him is Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who also earns $26 million. Goldschmidt has the most career home runs among the highest-paid players at his position.
Rounding out the top five is Bryce Harper, who earns $25.4 million in AAV. The seven-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger made the move to first base after an injury.
The top five first basemen on the list earn a combined $131.1 million annually. And the top two combined still earn $16.3 million less than Shohei Ohtani in average annual value.
Ranking The Highest-Paid First Basemen in MLB
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid MLB first basemen of 2024, sorted by AAV. The list was compiled with data from Spotrac and Baseball-Reference.
- Updated: June 5, 2024
| Rank | Player | Career Home Runs | Silver Slugger | Team | Compensation |
| 1 | Freddie Freeman | 328 | 3 | Los Angeles Dodgers | $27 million |
| 2 | Cody Bellinger | 186 | 2 | Chicago Cubs | $26.7 million |
| T-3 | Kris Bryant | 184 | 0 | Colorado Rockies | $26 million |
| T-3 | Paul Goldschmidt | 347 | 5 | St. Louis Cardinals | $26 million |
| 5 | Bryce Harper | 320 | 3 | Philadelphia Phillies | $25.4 million |
| 6 | Matt Olson | 239 | 1 | Atlanta Braves | $21 million |
| 7 | Pete Alonso | 206 | 0 | New York Mets | $20.5 million |
| 8 | Anthony Rizzo | 302 | 1 | New York Yankees | $20 million |
| 9 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 136 | 1 | Toronto Blue Jays | $19.9 million |
| 10 | Jose Abreu | 262 | 3 | Houston Astros | $19.5 million |
| 11 | Rhys Hoskins | 158 | 0 | Milwaukee Brewers | $17 million |
| 12 | Josh Bell | 158 | 1 | Miami Marlins | $16.5 million |
| 13 | Jake Cronenworth | 60 | 0 | San Diego Padres | $11.4 million |
| 14 | Christian Walker | 130 | 0 | Arizona Diamondbacks | $10.9 million |
| 15 | Yandy Diaz | 64 | 1 | Tampa Bay Rays | $8 million |
| 16 | Nate Lowe | 75 | 1 | Texas Rangers | $7.5 million |
| 17 | Ty France | 66 | 0 | Seattle Mariners | $6.77 million |
| 18 | Josh Naylor | 65 | 0 | Cleveland Guardians | $6.5 million |
| 19 | Wilmer Flores | 150 | 0 | San Francisco Giants | $5.5 million |
| 20 | Carlos Santana | 308 | 1 | Minnesota Twins | $5.25 million |
| 21 | Joey Gallo | 201 | 0 | Washington Nationals | $5 million |
| 22 | Ryan O’Hearn | 58 | 0 | Baltimore Orioles | $3.5 million |
| 23 | Andrew Vaughn | 56 | 0 | Chicago White Sox | $3.25 million |
| 24 | Rowdy Tellez | 93 | 0 | Pittsburgh Pirates | $3.2 million |
| 25 | Garrett Cooper | 57 | 0 | Boston Red Sox | $1.5 million |
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