When it comes to professional sports, the Major League Baseball (MLB) is one of the most lucrative leagues in the world. With enormous salaries and lucrative contracts, MLB players are some of the highest paid professional athletes in the world. While there are many different levels of pay within the MLB, there are some players who have made more money than the rest. In this article, we’ll take a look at who makes the most money in the MLB.
Overview of MLB Salaries
Before we dive into the players who make the most money in the MLB, it’s important to understand the salary structure of the MLB. In the MLB, salaries are broken up into three categories: minimum, average, and maximum. The minimum salary for a player in the MLB is $555,000 for the 2021 season. The average salary for MLB players is around $4.5 million per season. The maximum salary for players in the MLB is $37.5 million for the 2021 season.
MLB’s Highest Paid Players
Now that we’ve taken a look at the salary structure of the MLB, let’s take a look at the players who make the most money in the MLB. These players have signed lucrative contracts and have become some of the highest paid players in all of professional sports.
Mike Trout
At the top of the list of highest paid players in the MLB is Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract with the Angels in 2019. This contract makes Trout the highest paid player in the MLB, with an average annual salary of $35.5 million per season.
Gerrit Cole
Coming in second on the list of highest paid players in the MLB is Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees. Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees in 2019. This contract makes Cole the second highest paid player in the MLB, with an average annual salary of $36 million per season.
Manny Machado
In third on the list of highest paid players in the MLB is Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres. Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres in 2019. This contract makes Machado the third highest paid player in the MLB, with an average annual salary of $30 million per season.
Max Scherzer
Coming in fourth on the list of highest paid players in the MLB is Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals. Scherzer signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Nationals in 2015. This contract makes Scherzer the fourth highest paid player in the MLB, with an average annual salary of $30 million per season.
David Price
Rounding out the top five highest paid players in the MLB is David Price of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Price signed a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Dodgers in 2015. This contract makes Price the fifth highest paid player in the MLB, with an average annual salary of $31 million per season.
Other High Earners
While there are many other players who make a lot of money in the MLB, the five players listed above are the highest paid players in the league. However, there are several other players who make a lot of money in the MLB, including:
• Zack Greinke – $34 million
• Justin Verlander – $33 million
• Clayton Kershaw – $31 million
• Felix Hernandez – $27 million
• Jon Lester – $25 million
Impact on MLB
The salaries of the players listed above have had a major impact on the MLB. The salaries of these players have pushed the average salary of MLB players to an all-time high of $4.5 million. This has also led to a rise in the overall spending by MLB teams, with the average team payroll increasing to around $200 million in 2021.
Effect on Players
The high salaries of the players listed above have had a positive effect on the players themselves. Many of these players have been able to buy homes, cars, and other luxuries that wouldn’t be possible with normal salaries. Additionally, many of these players have been able to set up their own businesses, invest in the stock market, and even donate money to charity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the highest paid players in the MLB are Mike Trout, Gerrit Cole, Manny Machado, Max Scherzer, and David Price. These five players have signed some of the most lucrative contracts in the history of the MLB and have set the bar for future players. Additionally, their salaries have had a major impact on the MLB, pushing the average salary of MLB players to an all-time high and increasing team spending.