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 – currently earning $31 million – may see their contract value skyrocket in the offseason. He could elevate his position among the highest-paid baseball players from 16th 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 hasn’t pitched this season due to an injured elbow ligament, Los Angeles is banking on him to return to the mound next year.
Two starting pitchers share second on the list, each earning $43.3 million per season.
Astros ace Justin Verlander signed a two-year deal in 2023 worth $86.67 million at age 40. He will be on the cusp of pitching in big leagues for 20 years at the end of his deal.
Max Scherzer of the Rangers signed a three-year deal in 2022 which includes a full no-trade clause. The three-time Cy Young winner will earn $130 million by the end of the deal. He can earn an additional $750K for hitting performance-based bonuses.
The Dodgers lead all teams with five players among the highest-paid MLB players.
Freddie Freeman, the sole first baseman on the list, earns $27 million and is tied for 22nd.
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 10th.
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: October 30th, 2024
Rank | Player | Position | Team | Total Contract AAV |
1 | Shohei Ohtani | SP/DH | Los Angeles Dodgers | $70 million |
T-2 | Justin Verlander | SP | Houston Astros | $43.3 million |
T-2 | Max Scherzer | SP | Texas Rangers | $43.3 million |
4 | Aaron Judge | CF | New York Yankees | $40 million |
5 | Jacob DeGrom | SP | Texas Rangers | $37 million |
6 | Gerrit Cole | SP | New York Yankees | $36 million |
7 | Mike Trout | CF | Los Angeles Angels | $35.5 million |
T-8 | Anthony Rendon | 3B | Los Angeles Angels | $35 million |
T-8 | Stephen Strasbourg | SP | Washington Nationals | $35 million |
10 | Francisco Lindor | SS | New York Mets | $34.1 million |
11 | Carlos Correa | SS | Minnesota Twins | $33.3 million |
T-12 | Corey Seager | SS | Texas Rangers | $32.5 million |
T-12 | Nolan Arenado | 3B | St Louis Cardinals | $32.5 million |
14 | Manny Machado | DH/3B | San Diego Padres | $31.8 million |
15 | Rafael Devers | 3B | Boston Red Sox | $31.4 million |
T-16 | Blake Snell | SP/SP3 | San Francisco Giants | $31 million |
T-16 | Juan Soto | RF | New York Yankees | $31 million |
18 | Mookie Betts | RF | Los Angeles Dodgers | $30.4 million |
19 | Tyler Glasnow | SP | Los Angeles Dodgers | $27.3 million |
20 | Trea Turner | SS | Philadelphia Phillies | $27.27 million |
21 | Yoshinobu Yamamoto | SP | Los Angeles Dodgers | $27.1 million |
T-22 | Carlos Rodon | SP | New York Yankees | $27 million |
T-22 | Freddie Freeman | 1B | Los Angeles Dodgers | $27 million |
24 | Christian Yelich | LF | Milwaukee Brewers | $26.9 million |
25 | Cody Bellinger | RF/CF | Chicago Cubs | $26.7 million |
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