Major League Baseball’s average salary is as high as ever.
MLB saw player salaries rise 14.8% in aggregate in 2022 to $4.2 million, reversing a four-year trend of declining player salaries.
For MLB’s highest-paid players, it’s never been a better time for contract negotiations. Higher attendance, stronger ratings, and steadily increasing salaries work in their favor.
Sluggers such as Juan Soto – who earned $31 million last season with the Yankees – may see their contract value skyrocket in the offseason. He could elevate his position among the highest-paid baseball players to the top five if that happens.
Shohei Ohtani takes the top spot as the highest-paid baseball player right now, earning $70 million in AAV with the Dodgers.
Ohtani signed his record-setting deal last December, giving him the largest contract in all of U.S. team sports. The two-time AL MVP and rare two-way player is the only baseball player earning over $50 million per season.
While Ohtani didn’t pitch this season due to an injured elbow ligament, Los Angeles is banking on him to return to the mound next year.
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler is second earning $42 million. He signed a three-year deal in May worth $126 million. His AAV jumped from $23.5 million to vault him to the second-highest starting pitcher in the MLB.
Aaron Judge comes in third earning $40 million annually. The Yankees’ right fielder signed a $322 million contract in 2022 that will keep him in New York until 2031. The deal includes a no-trade clause and is fully guaranteed.
The Dodgers lead all teams with five players among the highest-paid MLB players.
Front-line starters are invaluable. Seven starting pitchers are among the highest-paid baseball players, the most of any other position.
Meanwhile, five shortstops are featured as the second most represented position. Francisco Lindor of the Mets is the highest-paid shortstop, earning $34.1 million to place him eighth.
Ranking The Highest-Paid MLB Players
Here is the list of the top 25 highest-paid baseball players. The list was compiled with data from Spotrac.
- Updated: November 20th, 2024
| Rank | Player | Position | Team | Total Contract AAV |
| 1 | Shohei Ohtani | SP/DH | Los Angeles Dodgers | $70 million |
| 2 | Zack Wheeler | SP | Philadelphia Phillies | $42million |
| 3 | Aaron Judge | RF | New York Yankees | $40 million |
| 4 | Jacob DeGrom | SP | Texas Rangers | $37 million |
| 5 | Gerrit Cole | SP | New York Yankees | $36 million |
| 6 | Mike Trout | CF | Los Angeles Angels | $35.5 million |
| 7 | Anthony Rendon | 3B | Los Angeles Angels | $35 million |
| 8 | Francisco Lindor | SS | New York Mets | $34.1 million |
| 9 | Carlos Correa | SS | Minnesota Twins | $33.3 million |
| T-10 | Corey Seager | SS | Texas Rangers | $32.5 million |
| T-10 | Nolan Arenado | 3B | St Louis Cardinals | $32.5 million |
| 12 | Manny Machado | 3B | San Diego Padres | $31.8 million |
| 13 | Rafael Devers | 3B | Boston Red Sox | $31.4 million |
| 14 | Mookie Betts | RF | Los Angeles Dodgers | $30.4 million |
| 15 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 1B | Toronto Blue Jays | $28.8 million |
| 16 | Tyler Glasnow | SP | Los Angeles Dodgers | $27.3 million |
| 17 | Trea Turner | SS | Philadelphia Phillies | $27.3 million |
| 18 | Yoshinobu Yamamoto | SP | Los Angeles Dodgers | $27.1 million |
| T-19 | Carlos Rodon | SP | New York Yankees | $27 million |
| T-19 | Freddie Freeman | 1B | Los Angeles Dodgers | $27 million |
| 21 | Christian Yelich | LF | Milwaukee Brewers | $26.9 million |
| 22 | Cody Bellinger | CF | Chicago Cubs | $26.7 million |
| 23 | Bobby Witt Jr. | SS | Kansas City Royals | $26.3 million |
| 24 | Kris Bryant | OF | Colorado Rockies | $26 million |
| 25 | Xander Bogaerts | 2B | San Diego Padres | $25.5 million |
Related lists:
