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
