by Baseball has never been more exciting than it is today. The sport is going through a major transformation that’s bringing back the athletic excitement fans have been craving.
After years of slow, data-heavy games, MLB finally made changes in 2023 that sped things up and made baseball fun again.
The highest paid major league baseball players are now earning more money than ever before. With no salary cap in baseball, teams can spend as much as they want on top talent.
This has led to some incredible contracts that would make your head spin. We’re talking about deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars!
What makes this even more interesting is how teams are now paying players. Instead of just looking at total contract value, teams focus on Average Annual Value (AAV).
This tells us exactly how much a player takes home each year. Some players are making more than $70 million per year – that’s more than many small countries spend!
The game itself has become faster and more exciting. With new rules like the pitch clock and bigger bases, games now move quicker and have more action.
Highest Paid Major League Baseball Players 2025
Players are stealing more bases, games are shorter, and fans are loving it. This renewed excitement has made baseball players even more valuable, leading to these massive contracts we’re seeing today.
Top 50 Highest Paid MLB Players 2025 – Complete Salary Rankings
| Rank | Player Name | Team | Annual Salary (AAV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Dodgers | $70 million |
| 2 | Juan Soto | New York Yankees | $61.9 million |
| 3 | Zack Wheeler | Philadelphia Phillies | $42 million |
| 4 | Aaron Judge | New York Yankees | $40 million |
| 5 | Alex Bregman | Boston Red Sox | $40 million |
| 6 | Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | $40 million |
| 7 | Anthony Rendon | Los Angeles Angels | $38.6 million |
| 8 | Carlos Correa | Minnesota Twins | $38.3 million |
| 9 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels | $37.1 million |
| 10 | Blake Snell | Los Angeles Dodgers | $36.4 million |
| 11 | Gerrit Cole | New York Yankees | $36 million |
| 12 | Corbin Burnes | Arizona Diamondbacks | $35 million |
| 13 | Francisco Lindor | New York Mets | $34.1 million |
| 14 | Corey Seager | Texas Rangers | $32.5 million |
| 15 | Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | $32.5 million |
| 16 | Tyler Glasnow | Los Angeles Dodgers | $32.5 million |
| 17 | Giancarlo Stanton | New York Yankees | $32 million |
| 18 | Nolan Arenado | St. Louis Cardinals | $32.5 million |
| 19 | Mookie Betts | Los Angeles Dodgers | $30 million |
| 20 | Pete Alonso | New York Mets | $30 million |
| 21 | Rafael Devers | Boston Red Sox | $29.3 million |
| 22 | Vlad Guerrero Jr. | Toronto Blue Jays | $28.5 million |
| 23 | Dansby Swanson | Chicago Cubs | $28 million |
| 24 | Carlos Rodon | New York Yankees | $27.8 million |
| 25 | Bryce Harper | Philadelphia Phillies | $27.5 million |
| 26 | Cody Bellinger | Chicago Cubs | $27.5 million |
| 27 | Trea Turner | Philadelphia Phillies | $27.2 million |
| 28 | Freddie Freeman | Los Angeles Dodgers | $27 million |
| 29 | Kris Bryant | Colorado Rockies | $27 million |
| 30 | Christian Yelich | Milwaukee Brewers | $26 million |
| 31 | Marcus Semien | Texas Rangers | $26 million |
| 32 | Xander Bogaerts | San Diego Padres | $25.5 million |
| 33 | Matt Chapman | San Francisco Giants | $25.2 million |
| 34 | Jack Flaherty | Detroit Tigers | $25 million |
| 35 | Javier Baez | Detroit Tigers | $25 million |
| 36 | Robbie Ray | San Francisco Giants | $25 million |
| 37 | Sean Manaea | New York Mets | $25 million |
| 38 | Sonny Gray | St. Louis Cardinals | $25 million |
| 39 | Aaron Nola | Philadelphia Phillies | $24.6 million |
| 40 | George Springer | Toronto Blue Jays | $24.1 million |
| 41 | Luis Castillo | Seattle Mariners | $24.1 million |
| 42 | J.T. Realmuto | Philadelphia Phillies | $23.9 million |
| 43 | Kevin Gausman | Toronto Blue Jays | $23 million |
| 44 | Jordan Montgomery | Arizona Diamondbacks | $22.5 million |
| 45 | Trevor Story | Boston Red Sox | $22.5 million |
| 46 | Austin Riley | Atlanta Braves | $22 million |
| 47 | Chris Bassitt | Toronto Blue Jays | $22 million |
| 48 | Chris Sale | Atlanta Braves | $22 million |
| 49 | Matt Olson | Atlanta Braves | $22 million |
| 50 | Nathan Eovaldi | Texas Rangers | $22 million |
Top Earning MLB Stars – Player Profiles
Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
The two-way superstar is changing how we think about baseball. He can pitch like an ace and hit like a slugger, something we’ve never seen before. Ohtani makes every game exciting because you never know if he’ll strike out 10 batters or hit a 450-foot home run.
Annual Salary: $70 million
Juan Soto – New York Yankees
This young superstar just signed the biggest contract in baseball history. He’s only in his mid-twenties but already hits like a seasoned veteran. Soto has incredible plate discipline and can turn any at-bat into a highlight reel moment.
Annual Salary: $61.9 million
Zack Wheeler – Philadelphia Phillies
One of the most dominant pitchers in today’s game, Wheeler throws fastballs that batters simply can’t catch up to. His control and power make him nearly unhittable when he’s on his game. Phillies fans love watching him dominate opposing hitters.
Annual Salary: $42 million
Aaron Judge – New York Yankees
The captain of the Yankees is a home run machine who can change games with one swing. Judge is tall, powerful, and has become the face of baseball. His leadership on and off the field makes him worth every penny.
Annual Salary: $40 million
Alex Bregman – Boston Red Sox
This former Astros star brings championship experience to Boston. Bregman is clutch in big moments and can play multiple positions. His baseball IQ and competitive spirit make him a valuable addition to any team.
Annual Salary: $40 million
Why These Salaries Keep Growing?
Baseball salaries continue to climb for several important reasons:
- No Salary Cap: Unlike other sports, baseball has no limit on team spending
- Increased Revenue: Teams make more money from TV deals and ticket sales
- Global Growth: Baseball is expanding worldwide, bringing in new fans and money
- Star Power: Elite players draw crowds and boost merchandise sales
- Long Contracts: Teams lock up stars early to avoid bigger costs later
How Player Values Are Determined?
Teams look at many factors when deciding player salaries:
- Performance Stats: Home runs, batting averages, and pitching records
- Age and Health: Younger, healthier players get bigger contracts
- Market Size: Big city teams can afford to pay more
- Position Importance: Pitchers and shortstops often earn premium salaries
- Leadership Skills: Players who motivate teammates are more valuable
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the highest paid baseball player in 2025?
Shohei Ohtani leads all players with a $70 million annual salary. His unique ability to both pitch and hit at an elite level makes him the most valuable player in baseball.
- Why don’t baseball players have a salary cap like other sports?
Baseball’s players union has historically opposed salary caps. Instead, baseball uses a luxury tax system that charges teams extra money if they spend too much, but it doesn’t stop them from spending.
- How do these salaries compare to other sports?
Baseball players often earn more than athletes in other sports because their contracts are fully guaranteed and seasons are longer, with 162 games compared to 82 in basketball or 17 in football.
- What happens if a player gets injured during their big contract?
Most baseball contracts are fully guaranteed, meaning players get paid even if they’re injured. This is why teams are careful about giving long-term deals to injury-prone players.
- Do small market teams have any chance to compete?
While big market teams can spend more, smart small market teams can compete by developing young talent, making good trades, and focusing on team chemistry rather than individual superstars.
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Looking Ahead – The Future of Baseball Salaries
Baseball salaries will likely keep growing as the sport becomes more popular worldwide. The new rules, making games faster and more exciting, are bringing back fans, which means more money for teams and players.
Young stars like Juan Soto are signing massive deals that will set new records. As international markets expand, especially in Asia and Latin America, we might see salaries reach even higher levels.
The game’s renewed focus on athleticism and speed has made players more marketable than ever. Fans love watching stolen bases, diving catches, and quick-paced games.
This excitement translates to higher TV ratings and ticket sales, giving teams more money to spend on talent.
Smart teams are also investing in player development and analytics to find undervalued talent. This means we might see surprise breakout players earning big contracts in the future.
Baseball’s future looks bright, and these incredible salaries show just how much the sport has grown.
The highest paid major league baseball players are earning these massive contracts because they provide entertainment, excitement, and value that fans love.
