Wednesday, July 22, 2026

The Highest-Paid MLB Second Basemen

  • Xander Bogaerts leads the way among second basemen earning $25.45 million.
  • The Padres have two second basemen among the top ten highest paid.
Arizona Diamondbacks Ketel Marte prepares to bat against Seattle Mariners in the third inning with the new pitch clock
Rob Schumacher / USA TODAY NETWORK

Second basemen aren’t always the highest-paid infield position, but they can still earn high salaries. 

Xander Bogaerts is the highest-paid MLB second baseman, bringing in $25.45 million in AAV with the Padres.

The four-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger signed a $280 million contract in 2022 that will keep him in San Diego for eleven years.

Tied for second are Marcus Semien and Jose Altuve with $25 million in AAV. Semien was part of the Rangers’ $500 million spending spree across the 2021 and 2022 off-seasons that ended in a world championship in 2023.

He won his second Silver Slugger Award and capped the season off with a World Series ring.

Jose Altuve has played with the Astros his entire career. Altuve signed a five-year, $125 million extension in Feburary 2024 spearheaded by super agent Scott Boras. He’s won three batting titles, two World Series, and was named the 2017 AL MVP.

Fourth on the list is Andres Gimenez of the Blue Jays. His 7-year, $106.5 million contract extension nets him an average of $15.21 million per season. He was traded to Toronto in December 2024 after three years with the Guardians.

Rounding out the top five is Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks, whose 5 year, $76 million extension brings him to $15.2 million in AAV.

The Padres are the only team with two players in the top 10 highest-paid second basemen.

Only two players in the top 10 have won both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove: Semien and Altuve.

Ranking The Highest-Paid MLB Second Basemen

Here is the entire list of the highest-paid second basemen of 2024. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.

  • Updated: February 13th, 2025
RankPlayerTeamTotal Compensation
1Xander BogaertsSan Diego Padres$25.45 million
T-2Marcus SemienTexas Rangers$25 million
T-2Jose AltuveHouston Astros$23.35 million
4Andres GimenezToronto Blue Jays$15.21 million
5Ketel MarteArizona Diamondbacks$15.2 million
T-6Gleyber TorresDetroit Tigers$15 million
T-6Chris TaylorLos Angeles Dodgers$15 million
8Luis ArráezSan Diego Padres$13.7 million
9Jeff McNeilNew York Mets$12.5 million
10Nico HoernerChicago Cubs$11.7 million
11Luis GarciaWashington Nationals$5.4 million
12Ozzie AlbiesAtlanta Braves$5 million
13Jonathan IndiaKansas City Royals$4.4 million
14Hyesong KimLos Angeles Dodgers$4.2 million
15Brandon LoweTampa Bay Rays$4 million

Related lists:

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 24, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; The major league baseball logo is seen on signage near the player's entrance to the field at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum before the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Milwaukee Brewers. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

MLBPA Rejects Owners’ Draft Changes in Latest Labor Proposal

The union seeks to return the draft to its prior June timing.

Red Sox Revival Turns MLB Trade Deadline Upside Down

Boston has risen from the AL’s worst record to a playoff position.
Jul 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) slides into score against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field.

Pending Labor Talks, MLB Is Set for Earliest Opening Day in 2027

Labor woes cloud the consideration of next year’s slate.
Jul 13, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) bats in the second round of the All Star-Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.

Home Run Derby Ratings Drop 7% on Netflix

The event’s pivot to streaming results in a slightly lower average audience.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/22/26 – World Cup Final Ratings, ESPN Layoffs, LeBron Waits, WFAN to SiriusXM

0:00

Featured Today

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.

Jonathan Vaughters Defends Late-Night Tour de France Drug Tests 

“Do you want the appearance of clean, or do you want clean and fair?”
kyle rudolph
July 22, 2026

Former Viking Kyle Rudolph: Private Equity ‘Great’ for the NFL

Private equity makes “these assets a little more liquid.”
July 22, 2026

Jake Paul Responds to Critics: ‘I Brought Boxing to Netflix’

Paul believes the Tyson fight’s Netflix audience will never be matched.
Sponsored

Inside the EY 2026 Sports Engagement Index: The Real Map of American Sports Participation

EY’s latest index explores how shifting U.S. fan behaviors are expanding the definition of sports engagement.
July 21, 2026

Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu Skipping WNBA 3-Point Contest

Only two 2026 WNBA All-Stars are participating.
July 21, 2026

Late-Night Drug Tests Spark Backlash, Intrigue at Tour de France

Riders are pushing back on rare overnight anti-doping tests.
July 20, 2026

Why WNBA Union Won’t Monetize Viral Sophie Cunningham Incident  

Cunningham can still use her own NIL to license the image.