A big piece of the strife between MLB and its players prior to the launch of the 60-game shortened season was salary. The players ultimately ended up with the salary they agreed upon in March: 37% of their original 2020 pay.
The pay cut has taken MLB salaries to their lowest level in nearly 25 years. Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is taking home a league-high $17.8 million — the lowest amount the highest paid player has taken home since 2000. Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout will take home less than half of his pre-pandemic salary of $38.5 million, which would have led the league. The average salary of $1.3 million is the lowest since 1996 and a steep drop from last year’s $4.4 million.
Top 5 2020 MLB Salaries, via AP
-Nationals Max Scherzer: $17.8 million
-Dodgers Clayton Kershaw: $16.3 million
-Angels Mike Trout: $15.8 million
-Padres Manny Machado: $15.1 million
-Astros Zack Greinke: $14.1 million
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor inside the stadium before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_26465842_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_26636703-scaled-e1770932227605.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
