Top 10 Highest-Paid MLB Players

Shohei Ohtani (left) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — Image: Twitter/Los Angeles Dodgers

There is little debate who the highest paid MLB player is today, but the amount of money the top players make is staggering.

MLB salaries are on the rise but can be a real problem for the teams handing out all that money.

For example, pitcher Stephen Strasburg, a former All-Star, is retired but will make $32 million in salary this season.

Keep reading to find out who is the king of the payout hill, and who makes up the list of the highest-paid baseball players.

Top 10 Highest-Paid MLB Players

Rank	Player	Salary	Contract Details
1.	Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers	$70 million average annual value	Richest contract in MLB history Runs through 2033
2.	Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers	$55 million this season	$50 million signing bonus paid in 2024 Signed 12-year, $325M deal before 2024 season
T-3.	Justin Verlander, Astros	$43.3 million this season	Still productive at age 41 Now in final season of 2-year, $86.6M deal
T-3.	Max Scherzer, Rangers	$43.3 million this season	Injured star in final season of a 3-year, $130M deal
T-5.	Jacob deGrom, Rangers	$40 million this season	Had Tommy John surgery; aims to return late this season
T-5.	Aaron Judge, Yankees	$40 million this season	Turned down $400M+ offer from Padres Signed 9-year, $360M deal with NY before 2023 season
7.	Anthony Rendon, Angels	$38.5 million this season	Oft-underachieving infielder signed 7-year, $245m deal before 2020 season Seen as among MLB’s worst current contracts
8.	Mike Trout, Angels	$37.1 million this season	Top production from one of the game’s best players At least the Angels got this one right
9.	Gerrit Cole, Yankees	$36 million this season	In the fifth year of a 9-year, $324M deal Cole can opt out after this season and try to make even more money
10.	Corey Seager, Rangers	$35 million this season	The Rangers really opened the vault to land three stars over the past few years Seager signed for 10 years, $325M before 2023 season

Many of the top 10 highest-paid MLB players listed above are available to bet on at the best gambling sites, where you’ll find prop bets and futures markets galore.

Who is the Highest-Paid MLB Player?

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is the highest-paid MLB player, agreeing to a 10-year, $700 million contract.

Though he will earn only $2 million in base salary for 2024, his average annual value is $70 million.

That means the Dodgers and Ohtani agreed to defer $68 million each year. That amount will be paid to Ohtani – without interest – in $68 million installments between 2034-43.

Ohtani is a rare commodity in baseball.

He’s an All-Star-level hitter but also has been among MLB’s best pitchers over the past few years.

An injury will keep him from any pitching duties in 2024 but it’s expected he will join the Dodgers’ pitching rotation in 2025, providing even more value for the rich contract he signed with Los Angeles.

Ohtani, who will be 30 in July, has career earnings of “only” $42 million from his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels but makes well north of $50 million per year in endorsements.

How Much do MLB Players Earn?

The MLB minimum salary is $740,000 per season, with its players making an average MLB salary of $4.5 million.

That’s an increase of 7.1%, according to the MLB Players Association report.

The pandemic caused a decline in average MLB salary, but the number has risen more than 20% over the past two seasons.

Betting on the Highest-Paid MLB Players

Finding out about MLB salaries can lead you to consider betting on the teams that pay out the best baseball contracts.

The top online sportsbooks offer daily bets and futures markets on the highest-paid MLB players’ teams — including the Los Angeles Dodgers’ chances to win the 2024 World Series.

Knowledge is key when it comes to sports betting, so understanding who’s getting paid the most money can inform your wagering.

If you’re a novice bettor, be sure to read our guide on how to bet on baseball to help get you started.