• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

MLB’s Highest-Paid Players Are Not Its Best

  • The highest-paid players in MLB are not always its best, and that fact is made clear by the most recent list of the sport’s top earners.
  • MVP candidates like Shohei Ohtani and Vlad Guerrero Jr. are making very little in comparison.
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The MLB leaderboards are filled with dynamic superstars, but you won’t find many of them on the list of highest-paid players.

The top earner, per Forbes’ list unveiled on Thursday, is the New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor, who is making $45.3 million, including a $21 million signing bonus, in the first year of his 10-year, $341 million contract extension.

Otherwise, the top 10 is littered with injured pitchers like Justin Verlander ($34.2 million), Stephen Strasburg ($34.1 million), and Clayton Kershaw ($33 million), plus David Price ($32.5 million), who is in a reduced role this year.

The top two pitchers, Trevor Bauer ($39 million) and Gerrit Cole ($36.5 million) are currently the players most identified with the crackdown on pitchers using “sticky stuff” to improve their grips. 

Both have seen their results fall off since MLB began enforcing that rule. Bauer is also on administrative leave following allegations of domestic violence.

Many superstars are not included because MLB players make the league minimum for their first three years, then have their contracts determined through arbitration for the next three.

  • Shohei Ohtani, who is leading the league with 32 home runs while also holding a 3.49 ERA as a pitcher, is making $3 million this season.
  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr., second in home runs with 28 and first in batting average with .341, is making $605,400 on a league-minimum contract.

Bryce Harper ($5 million) and Mike Trout ($3 million) are the only two players making more than $2 million off endorsements. For comparison, LeBron James made $65 million off the court over the last year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ken Rosenthal: I Apologized to Photog After Knocking Him Over

Rosenthal backpedaled into the photographer to avoid a Gatorade shower.

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.

NFL, Yankees, Cubs Hold Moments of Silence for Charlie Kirk

The Green Bay moment was an NFL decision, a spokesperson told FOS.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.
September 10, 2025

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.
September 11, 2025

NHL To Allow Players From Hockey Canada Trial To Return This Winter

The five Canadian players were all acquitted in July.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 8, 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner Have More to Gain in 2025 After Splitting Slams

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight Grand Slams.
September 7, 2025

Alcaraz Beats Sinner, Wins $5M Prize, Reclaims World No. 1

Alcaraz won a record $5 million first prize at the US Open.
Angel Reese
September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.
Caitlin Clark
September 4, 2025

Caitlin Clark Says She Won’t Return From Injury This Year

She only played 13 games this season.