In 2022, the Major League Baseball (MLB) will be entering its 125th year of professional play. As the league grows, so does the opportunity for players to land lucrative contracts with teams. With the influx of money, it is no surprise that certain players will be making more than others. So, who is the highest paid MLB player in 2022?
Introducing the Highest Paid Player: Mike Trout
The highest paid MLB player in 2022 is Mike Trout. Trout is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has been with the team since 2011 and has since become one of the best players in the league. His career batting average is .307 and he has hit 265 home runs and stolen 213 bases.
Trout has won numerous awards throughout his career, including three American League (AL) Most Valuable Player awards, four AL Silver Slugger awards, and two AL Hank Aaron awards. He has also been selected as an All-Star eight times.
Trout’s Contract and Salary
In 2020, Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract with the Angels. This was the largest contract given to any player in the history of professional sports. His contract includes a $36 million signing bonus and a $34.5 million annual salary for the duration of the contract.
Trout’s contract is set to expire in 2031, but he has an opt-out clause that allows him to become a free agent before then. That means that he could potentially become a free agent in 2022 and sign a new deal with a different team.
Trout’s Endorsements and Other Earnings
In addition to his salary and signing bonus, Trout also makes money through endorsements. He has endorsement deals with Nike, BodyArmor, and Topps, among others. He also has a deal with the gaming company 2K, which pays him to be featured in their video games.
Trout also gets paid for appearances and autograph signings. He has done appearances at MLB stadiums and has been featured on the cover of a number of video games.
Conclusion
In 2022, Mike Trout is set to be the highest paid MLB player. His 12-year, $426.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball is the largest contract ever given to any professional athlete in history. In addition to his salary, Trout also earns money through endorsements and other appearances.