Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the world. It has a long and rich history, and its players are some of the most iconic athletes in the world. Every year, the best players are rewarded with lucrative contracts, making them some of the highest-paid athletes in the world. But who is the highest paid baseball player?
The Highest Paid Player in MLB History
The highest paid baseball player in history is Alex Rodriguez. He signed a 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2000, making him the highest paid player in Major League Baseball history. During his career, Rodriguez earned a total of $448 million in salary. He was also the highest paid player in the league for eight consecutive seasons, from 2001 to 2008.
The Current Highest Paid Player
The current highest paid baseball player is Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, Mookie Betts. Betts signed a 12-year, $365 million contract with the Dodgers in 2020, making him the highest paid player in the league. He is also the first player ever to receive a $300 million contract. Betts is a four-time All-Star and the 2018 American League MVP. He is also a two-time Gold Glove winner and a three-time Silver Slugger award winner.
Other Highly Paid Players
In addition to Betts, there are several other baseball players who are highly paid. Los Angeles Angels outfielder, Mike Trout, is the second highest paid player in the league. He signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract with the Angels in 2019, making him the highest paid player in MLB history.
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole is the third highest paid player in the league. He signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees in 2019. He is the first pitcher ever to receive a $300 million contract.
San Francisco Giants pitcher, Zack Wheeler, is the fourth highest paid player in the league. He signed a five-year, $118 million contract with the Giants in 2020. He is the highest paid free agent pitcher in MLB history.
Conclusion
The highest paid baseball player in the world is Mookie Betts. He signed a 12-year, $365 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, making him the highest paid player in MLB history. He is the first player ever to receive a $300 million contract. Other highly paid players include Mike Trout, Gerrit Cole, and Zack Wheeler.