Players in Major League Baseball earn large annual wages, as well as performance incentives and sponsorship deals.
The minimum salary in Major League Baseball was established at 564 thousand dollars per year in 2020, the highest sum to date.
However, the average MLB player wage is far more. In 2020, the MLB’s average player pay was $4.43 million US dollars.
In this post, we’ll be looking at the highest-paid baseball players. Please read through this post as it promises to be fact-filled and insightful.
Without further ado, let’s go straight to the list.
Table of contents
The Highest-Paid Baseball Players
1.Francisco Lindor
Francisco Miguel Lindor, better known as “Paquito,” is a professional baseball shortstop for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, he was a member of the Cleveland Indians.
Lindor is a switch hitter and right-handed pitcher who measures 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and weighs 190 pounds (86 kg).
Francisco Lindor has struggled since joining the Mets in January, batting.220, but his bank account has never looked better: the mega-contract he signed last spring gives him $22.3 million in salary this season, plus a $21 million signing bonus.
Advertisers like the shortstop’s bubbly attitude, and the 27-year-old has partnered with Oakley, Pepsi, Mars Inc., and David Yurman.
His Earnings on the field are $43.3 million, while his Earnings off the field are $2 million. Lindor won his career’s first two AL Player of the Week Awards in consecutive weeks of May 6 and 13, 2018. Hence, he’s among the highest-paid baseball players in the world.
2. Trevor Bauer
Trevor Andrew Bauer is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the United States.
He was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, and Cincinnati Reds in the past.
Trevor Bauer’s three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers guarantees him $38 million in 2021, with the option to opt out after the season and receive a $2 million buyout payment. (Similarly, while he was owed $32 million in 2022, he may opt-out and receive a $15 million buyout following that season.)
The 30-year-old right-hander, who has 405,000 YouTube subscribers, is now facing assault claims and was placed on a seven-day administrative vacation last week. Bauer has vehemently disputed the allegations.
His Earnings on the field is $38 million, while his Earnings off the field is $1 million.
In 2018 he won the All-Star award; in 2020, the All-MLB First Team, The NL Cy Young Award, and the NL ERA leader award. He won the Golden Spikes Award And National Pitcher of the Year Award in 2011. Hence, he’s among the highest-paid baseball players in the world.
3. Mike Trout
Michael Nelson Trout is a Major League Baseball (MLB) center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Trout is a nine-time MLB All-Star, three-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) (winning in 2014, 2016, and 2019 after finishing second in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018), and an eight-time Silver Slugger Award winner.
Trout’s outstanding early-career performance has garnered comparisons to Hall of Famer Ted Williams and his mix of power and speed to Hall of Fame center fielder Mickey Mantle’s skill set.
Mike Trout’s 12-year, $426.5 million contract with the Angels, signed in 2019, has remained the richest in baseball despite a recent wave of big contracts, but Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes did overtake him last summer with a ten-year, $450 million extensions.
The 29-year-old outfielder has been out since May due to a calf ailment, but he is expected to return after the All-Star break. His Earnings on the field is $35.5 million while his Earnings off the field is $3 million
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4. Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Alan Cole is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches for the New York Yankees.
He formerly played for the Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cole was a member of the Orange Lutheran High School baseball team and was drafted in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees.
Cole declined to sign and instead played college baseball with the UCLA Bruins at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
In December 2019, Gerrit Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees, making him baseball’s first $300 million pitchers. His contract’s annual average of $36 million is unmatched in the sport.
Things haven’t been as easy for him recently: The 30-year-old right-hander has struggled in recent outings after becoming one of the faces of MLB’s crackdown on pitchers’ usage of sticky substances.
His Earnings on the field are $36 million, and his Earnings off the field are $500,000. He has won the All-Star four times (2015, 2018, 2019, 2021).
He won the AL ERA leader And MLB strikeout leader in 2019. he also won the AL won leader in 2021. Hence, he’s among the highest-paid baseball players in the world.
5. Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches for the Houston Astros. He has also played for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball.
Verlander attended Old Dominion University (ODU) and played college baseball for the Monarchs after graduating from Manakin-Sabot High School in Virginia.
He set career strikeout records for the Monarchs and the Colonial Athletic Association. Verlander was a United States national squad member that won silver in the Pan American Games in 2003.
Justin Verlander signed a two-year, $66 million agreement with the Astros ahead of the 2020 season after regaining form in his mid-30s, but he tore his ulnar collateral ligament in September.
Now that he’s recovered from Tommy John surgery and is approaching his 39th birthday, he’ll have to return to free agency.
At the very least, the future Hall-of-Famer can rely on sponsors Nike, Rawlings, Ford, and T-Mobile. His Earnings on the field is $33 million and his Earnings off the field is $1.2 million
6. Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches for the Washington Nationals. Strasburg was Washington’s first overall pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.
He debuted in the major leagues in 2010 and has become a three-time All-Star.
Stephen Strasburg earns $23.6 million annually plus $10 million in deferred compensation.
The Nationals right-hander, who turns 33 this month, will be paid another $10 million in deferred money next season, followed by $80 million from 2027 to 2029.
His Earnings on the field amount to $33.6 million, while his Earnings off the field are $500,000.
His notable strides include three times All-Star awards in 2012, 2016, and 2017, World Series champion, World Series MVP, All-MLB First Team and NL win leader all in 2019, Silver Slugger Award in 2012, NL strikeout leader in 2014, Golden Spike Award and Dick Howser Trophy in 2009. Hence, he’s among the highest-paid baseball players in the world.
7. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a free agent in the American professional baseball league. He was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball. Kershaw, a left-handed starting pitcher who debuted in 2008, has spent 13 seasons in the major leagues.
He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and the 2014 National League Most Valuable Player.
In the final year of his contract, Clayton Kershaw will earn $23.3 million in salary and $7.7 million in bonus, possibly earning more in incentives.
The Dodgers’ 33-year-old left-hander has started 18 games so far this season, with a bonus of $4 million if he starts 30. His Earnings on the field are $31 million, and his Earnings off the field is $2 million.
For much of his career, he has been described as the best pitcher in baseball and one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
8. David Price
David Taylor Price is a Major League Baseball pitcher who pitches for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Price first overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, and he made his MLB debut in September 2008.
He was a member of the Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox baseball teams.
With one season remaining on his contract, David Price, who was traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers in February 2020 as part of the Mookie Betts trade, sat out last season due to the pandemic and has been assigned to the bullpen in 2021.
The IMAC Regeneration Center, a medical clinic near his hometown in Tennessee, bears the 35-year-old name.
His Earnings on the field is $32 million, while his Earnings off the field is $500,000
The Babe Ruth Award in 2018, 5 times All-Star in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2015, World Series champion in 2018, AL Cy Young Award and AL wins leader in 2012, Golden Spikes Award And Dick Howser Trophy in 2007 are some of his outstanding Achievements.
9. George Springer
George Chelston Springer III is an outfielder with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball in the United States (MLB). From 2014 until 2020, he was a member of the Houston Astros.
In January, George Springer signed a six-year, $150 million deal with the Blue Jays, but injuries delayed his debut and limited him to 17 games with Toronto. Nike, TD Bank, and Topps are among his corporate partners.
His Earnings on the field is $32 million while his Earnings off the field is $500,000
His notable wins are 3 times All-Star in 2017–2019, World Series champion, and World Series MVP in 2017.
He also won the Silver Slugger Award in 2017 and 2019. Hence, he’s among the highest-paid baseball players in the world.
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10. Bryce Harper
Bryce Aron Max Harper is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies in the United States (MLB).
From 2012 to 2018, he was a Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball member. He’s been referred to as a “five-tool player.”
Bryce Harper, who was recently dethroned as baseball’s best pitcher, still earns an estimated $5 million a year from his endorsement portfolio, which includes Under Armour, Gatorade, Acuvue, and T-Mobile.
With his 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies, the outfielder set an MLB record for total contract worth, although Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor, and Fernando Tatis Jr. all overtook him in the two years afterwards.
His Earnings on the field is $26 million while his Earnings off the field is $5 million. his career highlights and awards include 6 times All-Star in 2012, 2013, 2015–2018.
Also, 2 times NL MVP in 2015 and 2021, NL Rookie of the Year in 2012, 2 times Silver Slugger Award in 2015 and 2021, 2 times NL Hank Aaron Award in 2015 and 2021, NL home run leader in 2015, and Golden Spikes Award in 2010.
11. Max Scherzer
Maxwell M. Scherzer is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches for the New York Mets (MLB).
He has previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Scherzer, a right-handed starting pitcher, is an eight-time MLB All-Star who has won three Cy Young Awards, pitched two no-hitters, and helped the Nationals win the World Series in 2019.
He is nicknamed “Mad Max” after the fictional character of the same name. He is known for his intensity and competitiveness during play.
Scherzer was lured to New York with a record-breaking contract. With the Mets, the three-time Cy Young Award winner will receive an average annual salary of more than a million dollars.
According to a source familiar with the situation, Max Scherzer and the New York Mets have agreed to a three-year, $130 million contract.
A player opt-out after two years and a full no-trade clause is included in the deal.
His career highlights and awards include 8 times All-Star from 2013–2019 and 2021, World Series champion in 2019, 2 times All-MLB First Team in 2019 and 2021, 3 times Cy Young Award in 2013, 2016, and 2017, 4 times wins leader in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018, 3 times NL strikeout leader from 2016–2018 and he Pitched two no-hitters in 2015
12. Anthony Rendon
Anthony Michael Rendon plays third base for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He formerly played for the Washington Nationals and was a squad member that defeated his hometown Houston Astros in the 2019 World Series.
Anthony Rendon agreed to a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, which included a $4 million signing bonus, $245 million in guaranteed money, and a $35 million yearly average pay.
Rendon will be paid a base salary of $36,000,000 and total pay of $36,571,428 in 2022.
His career highlights and awards Include All-Star, World Series champion, All-MLB First Team in 2019, 2 times Silver Slugger Award in 2014 and 2019, NL Comeback Player of the Year in 2016, MLB RBI leader in 2019, and Dick Howser Trophy in 2010.
Conclusion
These are the highest-paid baseball players. MLB’s first ten highest-paid players will make a combined $357 million this season, up from $152 million last year, when the season was slashed to 60 games and players’ wages were cut by 63 percent.
Due to a series of large contracts awarded over the last couple of years, the cumulative amount is up more than 13% from 2019’s $315 million.
We hope we found the article helpful. Let us know what you think.
FAQs
Yes. The distance between the bases, the size of the batter’s box, and practically every other metric are identical. The outfield wall distance, on the other hand, varies greatly from field to field.
However, in outfield dimensions, minor-league fields are sometimes larger, and major-league fields are sometimes larger.
Titling all runners to advance one base,” according to the official rules. Balks are used to prevent pitchers from intentionally deceiving base runners.
These pitchers typically lack the stamina and consistency to pitch a full game or start a fun, yet they excel in striking out batters.
A bunt, not to be confused with a blunt, is when a batter takes a short swing to keep the baseball in the infield. A bunt is usually easier to control since the batter grips the bat differently to place it where they want it. A bunt is typically used as a “sacrifice” to allow a player already on base to advance quickly.
The strike zone is a hypothetical box through which a pitcher must toss the ball to be considered a strike. The umpire will call the ball a “ball” if he believes it was thrown outside this imagined area. The strike zone is between an imaginary line at the hitter’s chest (halfway between the top of his shoulders and the top of his pants) and just below the knee caps.
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