Major League Baseball (MLB) is one of the most popular and lucrative sports leagues in the world, attracting some of the best players from across the globe. The competition for talent is fierce, and teams are willing to pay huge sums of money to secure the services of their stars.
Top 10 Biggest MLB Contracts Ever
In this article, we will look at the top 10 biggest contracts in MLB history, as of December 2023, and see how they compare to each other.
10. Gerrit Cole, SP, Yankees: 9 years, $324 million through 2029
Gerrit Cole is one of the best pitchers in the game, and the Yankees made him the highest-paid pitcher ever when they signed him to a nine-year, $324 million deal in December 2019. Cole has lived up to his contract so far, posting a 17.8 WAR (wins above replacement) in his first four seasons with the Yankees, and leading them to two World Series appearances. Cole’s contract has an average annual value (AAV) of $36 million, which is the highest among all MLB players.
9. Corey Seager, SS, Rangers: 10 years, $325 million through 2032
Corey Seager is one of the best shortstops in the game, and the Rangers made him the highest-paid shortstop ever when they signed him to a 10-year, $325 million deal in November 2022. Seager had a breakout season in 2020, winning the NLCS and World Series MVP awards with the Dodgers, and followed it up with another stellar season in 2021, hitting .306 with 37 home runs and 101 RBIs. Seager’s contract has an AAV of $32.5 million, which is the second-highest among all MLB players.
8. Giancarlo Stanton, DH, Yankees: 13 years, $325 million through 2029
Giancarlo Stanton is one of the most powerful hitters in the game, and the Marlins made him the highest-paid player ever when they signed him to a 13-year, $325 million deal in November 2014. Stanton won the NL MVP award in 2017, hitting 59 home runs and 132 RBIs, but was traded to the Yankees after the season. Stanton has struggled with injuries and inconsistency since joining the Yankees, posting a 22.4 WAR in his first nine seasons with them. Stanton’s contract has an AAV of $25 million, which is the 10th-highest among all MLB players.
7. Bryce Harper, OF, Phillies: 13 years, $330 million through 2032
Bryce Harper is one of the most charismatic and talented players in the game, and the Phillies made him the highest-paid player ever when they signed him to a 13-year, $330 million deal in February 2019. Harper won the NL MVP award in 2015, hitting .330 with 42 home runs and 99 RBIs, and has been a consistent performer since then, posting a 18.4 WAR in his first five seasons with the Phillies. Harper’s contract has an AAV of $25.4 million, which is the ninth-highest among all MLB players.
6. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, Padres: 14 years, $340 million through 2035
Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the game, and the Padres made him the highest-paid player ever when they signed him to a 14-year, $340 million deal in February 2021. Tatis Jr. has been a sensation since his debut in 2019, hitting .301 with 79 home runs and 191 RBIs, and stealing 61 bases in his first three seasons. Tatis Jr. has also been a defensive wizard, winning two Gold Gloves at shortstop. Tatis Jr.’s contract has an AAV of $24.3 million, which is the 11th-highest among all MLB players.
5. Francisco Lindor, SS, Mets: 10 years, $341 million through 2032
Francisco Lindor is one of the best all-around players in the game, and the Mets made him the highest-paid player ever when they signed him to a 10-year, $341 million deal in March 2021. Lindor won two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers with the Indians, hitting .285 with 138 home runs and 411 RBIs, and stealing 99 bases in his first six seasons. Lindor had a disappointing first season with the Mets, hitting .230 with 20 home runs and 63 RBIs, but bounced back in 2022, hitting .296 with 36 home runs and 101 RBIs. Lindor’s contract has an AAV of $34.1 million, which is the third-highest among all MLB players.
4. Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees: 9 years, $360 million through 2032
Aaron Judge is one of the most dominant and popular players in the game, and the Yankees made him the highest-paid player ever when they signed him to a nine-year, $360 million deal in December 2022. Judge won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2017, hitting .284 with 52 home runs and 114 RBIs, and finished second in the AL MVP voting. Judge has been a consistent force since then, posting a 4.5 WAR in his first season with his new contract. Judge’s contract has an AAV of $40 million, which is the highest among all MLB players.
3. Mookie Betts, OF, Dodgers: 12 years, $365 million through 2033
Mookie Betts is one of the best players in the game, and the Dodgers made him the highest-paid player ever when they signed him to a 12-year, $365 million deal in July 2020. Betts won the AL MVP award in 2018, hitting .346 with 32 home runs and 80 RBIs, and stealing 30 bases with the Red Sox, and helped them win the World Series. Betts was traded to the Dodgers before the 2020 season, and helped them win the World Series as well, hitting .292 with 16 home runs and 39 RBIs, and stealing 10 bases in the shortened season. Betts has been a superstar since then, posting a 18.7 WAR in his first three seasons with the Dodgers. Betts’ contract has an AAV of $30.4 million, which is the fourth-highest among all MLB players.
2. Manny Machado, 3B, Padres: 11 years, $350 million through 2033
Manny Machado is one of the best hitters and defenders in the game, and the Padres made him the highest-paid player ever when they signed him to a 11-year, $350 million deal in February 2019. Machado won two Gold Gloves and four Silver Sluggers with the Orioles and the Dodgers, hitting .282 with 249 home runs and 718 RBIs in his first eight seasons. Machado has been a leader and a star for the Padres since then, posting a 2.9 WAR in his first season with his new contract. Machado’s contract has an AAV of $31.8 million, which is the fifth-highest among all MLB players.
1. Mike Trout, OF, Angels: 12 years, $426.5 million through 2031
Mike Trout is widely regarded as the best player in the game, and the Angels made him the highest-paid player ever when they signed him to a 12-year, $426.5 million deal in March 2019. Trout has won three AL MVP awards and finished second in the voting four times, hitting .305 with 310 home runs and 798 RBIs, and stealing 212 bases in his first 10 seasons. Trout has also won eight Silver Sluggers and one Gold Glove, and has posted a 76.1 WAR, the highest among active players. Trout has continued his excellence since signing his new contract, posting a 20.7 WAR in his first four seasons with it. Trout’s contract has an AAV of $35.5 million, which is the second-highest among all MLB players.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 biggest contracts in MLB history, as of December 2023, and they show how much teams value their star players and how much money the players can earn in the free market. These contracts also reflect the performance and potential of the players, as well as the risk and reward involved in signing them. Some of these contracts have paid off for the teams and the players, while others have not. Only time will tell how these contracts will pan out in the long run, and how they will affect the future of the game.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: Who has the biggest contract in MLB history? A: Mike Trout has the biggest contract in MLB history, with a 12-year, $426.5 million deal with the Angels.
Q: Who has the highest annual salary in MLB history? A: Aaron Judge has the highest annual salary in MLB history, with a $40 million AAV in his nine-year, $360 million deal with the Yankees.
Q: Who is the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history? A: Gerrit Cole is the highest-paid pitcher