Who is the highest paid MLB player? Contracts in Major League Baseball, like every other professional sport, are rapidly increasing. A title that once belonged to Gerrit Cole is now owned by Shohei Ohtani, who became the highest-paid MLB player ever this offseason.
Here’s everything you need to know about the highest paid MLB players right now and the highest MLB salaries by position.
Highest paid MLB players: Top 5 MLB players salaries
1. Shohei Ohtani, two-way, Los Angeles Dodgers – Highest paid MLB player ever
- Shohei Ohtani contract: 10 years, $700 million
- Shohei Ohtani salary: $70 million AAV – $2 million payroll salary in 2025
- Shohei Ohtani career earnings: $44.269 million
Shohei Ohtani is the highest paid MLB player ever and one of just two players in the history of American sports to sign a $700 million contract. The deal came with $680 million in deferred money, with the Dodgers on the hook for $68 million annual payments from 2034-2043 when Ohtani will be in his 40s. Because $680 million is deferred, the present-day value of the contract is 44460.814 million. However, based on contract AAV, Ohtani ($70 million) is the highest-paid player in MLB history. The $700 million contract immediately paid off for the Dodgers, winning the World Series with Ohtani and generating a franchise record in revenue.
2. Juan Soto, outfielder, New York Mets – Largest contract in MLB history
- Juan Soto contract: 15 years, $765 million
- Juan Soto salary: $51 million
- Juan Soto career earnings: $82.304 million
Juan Soto joined Shohei Ohtani as the only two players in MLB history to sign a $700 million contract. Ohtani, age 26 when he entered MLB free agency, signed a 15-year contract with the New York Mets worth $765 million. Unlike Ohtani, the entirety of the total value will be paid out over the lifetime of the 15-year contract. There is a player option after the 2029 season, but the Mets can void the opt-out clause by adding $4 million to Soto’s annual salary from 2030-2039. If that happens, with $15 million in escalators, the total value of the contract will exceed $800 million over 15 years. Soto’s deal is the longest contract in MLB history.
3. Zack Wheeler, starting pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies
- Zack Wheeler contract: 3 years, $126 million
- Zack Wheeler salary: $42 million
- Zack Wheeler career earnings: $118.305 million
Zack Wheeler is the highest-paid pitcher in MLB, outside of the Shohei Ohtani contract. The Philadelphia Phillies signed their ace to a three-year, $162 million contract before the season season that officially kicked in beginning in 2025. Wheeler becomes the fifth starting pitcher to land a contract with more than $40 million in average annual value.
4. Aaron Judge, outfielder, New York Yankees
- Aaron Judge contract: 9 years, $360 million (free agent in 2032)
- Aaron Judge salary: $40 million
- Aaron Judge career earnings: $116.115 million
Aaron Judge is the highest-paid player in New York Yankees history. The two-time AL MVP re-signed with the Yankees, turning down contract offers from the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres, to finish his career in a Yankees uniform. Judge will receive a $40 million salary through his age-39 season in 2021 and the contract includes a full no-trade clause.
5. Jacob deGrom, starting pitcher, Texas Rangers
- Jacob deGrom contract: 5 years, $185 million (free agent in 20209)
- Jacob deGrom salary: $40 million
- Jacob deGrom career earnings: $142.659 million
The Jacob deGrom contract has been a disaster for the Texas Rangers. Signed in the 2023 offseason, deGrom has combined to throw just 41 career innings in two years since signing with Texas. Entering his age 37 season in 2025, deGrom will be pitching in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. deGrom will earn $40 million in 2025, $38 million in 2026 and $37 million in 2027. Texas holds a $20 million club option for the 2028 season, when deGrom is 40, with no buyout. Having failing to reach the inings pitch treshhold, deGrom has no control over the final year of his contract.
10 highest paid players in MLB 2025
- Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers – $70 million
- Juan Soto, New York Mets – $51 million
- Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies – $42 million
- Aaron Judge, New York Yankees – $40 million
- Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers – $37 million
- Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers – $36.4 million
- Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees – $36 million
- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels – $35.541 million
- Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels – $35 million
- Francisco Lindor, New York Mets – $34.1 million
Highest MLB payrolls 20255
Here are the current highest MLB payrolls in 2025, per FanGraphs.com. Current MLB payroll projections include forecasted arbitration salaries. We’ll provide updates following each marquee offseason signing and in-season blockbuster trade.
Who has the highest MLB payroll?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the highest MLB payroll in 2025 at $337 million. The Dodgers are the only team in MLB with a $300 million payroll.
Who has the lowest MLB payroll?
The Oakland Athletics have the lowest MLB payroll in 2025 at $58 million.
10 highest MLB payrolls 2025
- Los Angeles Dodgers – $337 million
- Philadelphia Phillies – $263 million
- New York Mets – $251 million
- New York Yankees – $230 million
- Houston Astros – $215 million
- San Diego Padres – $210 million
- Atlanta Braves – $201 million
- Los Angeles Angels – $190 million
- Toronto Blue Jays – $189 million
- Chicago Cubs – $185 million
Lowest MLB payrolls 2025
- Oakland Athletics – $58 million
- Miami Marlins – 1$ million
- Chicago White Sox – $75 million
- Pittsburgh Pirates – $75 million
- Washington Nationals – $78 million
- Detroit Tigers – $81 million
- Tampa Bay Rays – $86 million
- Cincinnati Reds – $101 million
- Cleveland Guardians – $107 million
- Kansas City Royals – $116 million
Highest paid MLB players by position 2025
The breakdown of the highest paid players in MLB by position is based on average annual salary.
Highest-paid catchers in MLB – AAV
- J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies – $23.1 million
- Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals – $20.5 million
- Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers – $14 million
- Sean Murphy, Atlanta Braves – $12.166 million
- James McCann, Baltimore Orioles – $10.15 million
Related: Fastest MLB players
Highest-paid first basemen in MLB
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Toronto Blue Jays – $28.8 million
- Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers – $27 million
- Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies – $26 million
- Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies – $25.384 million
- Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves – $21 million
Related: MLB standings
Highest-paid second baseman in MLB
- Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers – $30.416 million
- Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres – $24.454 million
- Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers – $25 million
- Jose Altuve, Houston Astros – $25 million
- Andres Gimenez, Cleveland Guardians – $15.214 million
Related: Babe Ruth vs Josh Gibson
Highest-paid shortstops in MLB
- Francisco Lindor, New York Mets – $34.1 million
- Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins – $33.33 million
- Corey Seager, Texas Rangers – $32.5 million
- Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies – $27.272 million
- Bobby Witt Jr, Kansas City Royals – $26.252 million
Highest-paid third baseman in MLB
- Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels – $35 million salary
- Manny Machado, San Diego Padres – $31.818 million
- Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox – $31.35 million salary
- Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants – $25.166 million
- Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves – $21.2 million
Related: Guide to MLB.TV
Highest-paid outfielders in MLB
- Juan Soto, New York Mets – $51 million
- Aaron Judge, New York Yankees – $40 million salary
- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels – $35.541 million salary
- Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers – $26.928 million
- Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs – $26.667 million
- George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays – $25 million
- Fernando Tatis Jr, San Diego Padres – $24.285 million
- Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs – $20.33 million
- Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets – $20.25 million
- Nick Castellanos, Philadelphia Phillies – $20 million
Related: Longest MLB playoff, World Series droughts
Highest-paid pitchers in 2024
- Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers – $70 million
- Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers – $40 million
- Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers – $36.4 million
- Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees – $36 million
- Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers – $27.312 million
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers – $27.083 million
- Carlos Rodon, New York Yankees – $27.833 million
- Sonny Gray, St. Louis Cardinals – $25 million
- Jordan Montgomery, Arizona Diamondbacks – $25 million
- Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies – $24.571 million
Highest-paid relievers in MLB 2023
- Edwin Diaz, New York Mets – $20.4 million
- Josh Hader, Houston Astros – $19 million
- Ryan Pressly, Houston Astros – $15 million
- Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta Braves – $16 million
- Kenta Maeda, Detroit Tigers – $12 million
- Taylor Rogers, San Francisco Giants – $11 million
- Blake Treinen, Los Angeles Dodgers – $11 million
- Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox – $10.75 million
- Daniel Bard, Colorado Rockies – $9.5 million
- Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres – $9.2 million
Highest paid MLB players FAQ
What is the average MLB salary?
The average MLB salary in 2023 is $4.9 million, according to Richard Blum of the Associated Press. It represents an 11.1 percent increase from last season and sets a new record for the highest-average salary in MLB history. With revenues increasing each season, salaries are expected to keep rising in the years to come.
The average MLB salary in 2022 was $4.2 million, per Front Office Sports. It marks a 14.8% increase from the average salaries for MLB players compared to the 2021 season. More importantly, it’s the first time in four years that the average MLB salary increased.
A huge part of that is rising MLB salaries across the board, thanks to league revenue skyrocketing. It’s not just the top players cashing in, though, veterans and the proverbial journeymen are landing multi-year deals with more money.
What is the minimum salary for MLB in 2023?
The minimum salary for an MLB player in 2023 is $720,000 if they are on the active roster or injured list for one of the 30 major league teams. It comes after years of the MLB Players Association pushing for the league’s minimum salary to be increased, pushing closer to the NFL and NBA.
Highest MLB payrolls: Which team has the highest payroll in MLB?
The New York Yankees have the highest MLB payroll in 2024.
How much do minor league baseball players make? 2023 MILB salaries
Minor league baseball players officially joined the MLBPA in 2023, gaining bargaining power and additional rights like their peers in the majors. Thanks to the partnership, MiLB salaries spiked dramatically in 2023.
MILB salaries by level
- Rookie ball: $19,800 (previously $4,800)
- Low-Class A: $26,200 (previously $11,000)
- High A: $27,300 (previously $11,000)
- Double-A: $30,250 (previously $13,800)
- Triple-A: $35,800 (previously $17,500)
Who is the highest paid MLB player ever?
It should come as no surprise that Alex Rodriguez is atop the list for MLB career earnings. According to Spotrac, the baseball legend earned $455.159 million across his entire career. Incredibly, even after stepping away after the 2016 season, he still earned an additional $39 million from the Yankees and Rangers through 2020.
MLB leaders in career earnings
After signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract to finish his Hall of Fame career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Albert Pujols gains even more separation from Miguel Cabrera for the active record of the highest paid MLB player ever.
However, Cabrera will pass him in 2023 because he is still under contract for a $32 million salary in each of the next two seasons. By the end of his MLB career, Cabrera will have earned nearly $400 million in total salary.
- Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals: $339.21 million
- Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers: $321 million
- Justin Verlander, Houston Astros: $274.588 million
- Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals: $252 million
- Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers: $251.34 million
The club option can either be for eight years or 10 years on top of the base value of the contract with the figures on a range determined on yearly MVP results. If Rodriguez doesn’t live up to his potential, it can be as low as the $200 million range. However, the All-Star outfielder becoming a perennial MVP candidate would push it toward $350 million and he would be guaranteed $320 million total if the option is exercised.
If Seattle fails to exercise the option after 2027, Rodriguez holds a player option after the eighth season for a five-year and $90 million add-on. If he takes that route, it will put into effect the 13-year, $210 million deal that was first reported.
Rodriguez won’t be one of the highest paid players in MLB in 2023 or 2024. However, the maximum value of the contract will allow him to become one of the highest paid MLB players ever if he lives up to his potential.
Shohei Ohtani contract and 2023 salary
The Los Angeles Angels made history with the Shohei Ohtani contract. Before he came arbitration-eligible for the final time, Los Angeles signed their two-way sensation to the largest arbitration contract ever and the largest year-to-year salary increase in MLB history. After making $5.5 million in 2022, Ohtani will receive $30 million fully guaranteed during the 2023 MLB season.
It will be the final season of his contract before he becomes the No. 1 MLB free agent in 2024. Once he hits the open market, expect Ohtani to become the highest paid MLB player ever. At a minimum, he will likely pull in an AAV of $50 million per season. He is one of the best pitchers in baseball and a threat to hit 35-plus home runs with a .900-plus OPS. Combine that with his marketability and there will be multiple teams willing to offer a multi-year contract worth at least $50 million per season.
Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto will become highest paid MLB players in years ahead
Speaking of stars set to join the ranks of the highest paid MLB players in the coming years, look no further than Shohei Ohtani. The two-way phenom will be the top MLB free agent in 2024 and is expected to receive offers worth at least $50 million per season, giving him the chance to sign the first $500 million contract.
As for Juan Soto, joining a playoff contender like the San Diego Padres probably isn’t enough to keep him out of MLB free agency in 2025. He’ll only be 26 years old and his production through his first four seasons puts him in historic company. Barring a career-altering injury or unexpected regression, Soto will sign the first $500 million contract to become one of the highest paid players in MLB.