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Who Are the Highest-Paid Baseball Players?

  • Shohei Ohtani takes the top spot, earning $70 million in AAV.
  • Juan Soto’s deal worth $765 million is the biggest contract in sports history.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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. 

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.

Juan Soto of the Mets is second with $51 million in AAV. Previously the most coveted free agent, Soto signed a deal on December 8th worth $765 million over 15 years.

The deal keeps the 26-year-old in New York until he’s 40, but he’ll trade his pinstripes for the orange and blue of his former team’s rivals.

Phillies ace Zack Wheeler is third 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 and Alex Bregman are tied for fourth 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.  

Alex Bregman signed with the Red Sox right before spring training. He’ll earn $120 million over three years with player opt-outs available after this season and the next.

The Dodgers lead all teams with six players among the highest-paid MLB players. 

Front-line starters are invaluable. Ten 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: February 13th, 2025
RankPlayerPositionTeamTotal Contract AAV
1Shohei OhtaniSP/DHLos Angeles Dodgers$70 million
2Juan SotoRFNew York Mets$51 million
3Zack WheelerSPPhiladelphia Phillies$42 million
T-4Aaron JudgeRFNew York Yankees$40 million
T-4Alex Bregman3BBoston Red Sox$40 million
6Jacob DeGromSPTexas Rangers$37 million
7Blake SnellSPLos Angeles Dodgers$36.4 million
8Gerrit ColeSPNew York Yankees$36 million
9Mike TroutCFLos Angeles Angels$35.5 million
T-10Anthony Rendon3BLos Angeles Angels$35 million
T-10Corbin BurnesSPArizona Diamondbacks$35 million
12Francisco LindorSSNew York Mets$34.1 million
13Carlos CorreaSSMinnesota Twins$33.3 million
T-14Corey SeagerSSTexas Rangers$32.5 million
T-14Nolan Arenado3BSt Louis Cardinals$32.5 million
16Manny Machado3BSan Diego Padres$31.8 million
17Rafael Devers3BBoston Red Sox$31.4 million
18Mookie BettsRF/SSLos Angeles Dodgers$30.4 million
19Vladimir Guerrero Jr.1BToronto Blue Jays$28.8 million
20Tyler GlasnowSPLos Angeles Dodgers$27.31 million
21Trea TurnerSSPhiladelphia Phillies$27.27 million
22Max FriedSPNew York Yankees$27.25 million
23Yoshinobu YamamotoSPLos Angeles Dodgers$27.1 million
T-24Carlos RodonSPNew York Yankees$27 million
T-24Freddie Freeman1BLos Angeles Dodgers$27 million
T-24Pete Alonso1BNew York Mets$27 million

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