Highest-paid MLB players in 2024

The 2024 MLB season is still a few months away, but this offseason has seen a few franchise-altering contracts awarded already.

The free agent signings of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto made headlines for their huge numbers, but there are plenty of other superstars who are already locked into some major contracts.

Let’s take a look at the ten biggest contracts in the league and the ten highest-paid players in 2024.

MLB highest-paid players

Player	Team	Position	Contract Size	Contract Years
Shohei Ohtani	Los Angeles Dodgers	P/DH	$700 million	10
Mike Trout	Los Angeles Angels	OF	$426.5 million	10
Mookie Betts	Los Angeles Dodgers	OF	$365 million	12
Aaron Judge	New York Yankees	OF	$360 million	9
Manny Machado	San Diego Padres	3B	$350 million	10
Francisco Lindor	New York Mets	SS	$341 million	10
Fernando Tatis Jr.	San Diego Padres	OF/SS	$340 million	14
Bryce Harper	Philadelphia Phillies	OF/1B	$330 million	13
Yoshinobu Yamamoto	Los Angeles Dodgers	P	$325 million	12
Corey Seager	Texas Rangers	SS	$325 million	10

Unsurprisingly, Shohei Ohtani is at the top of the list after his record-breaking contract.

On December 9, Shohei Ohtani made his decision on his next team. The two-way superstar was reportedly between the Dodgers and Blue Jays before ultimately choosing to stay in Los Angeles, but joining the cross-town franchise.

Ohtani’s contract is worth a record breaking $700 million for 10 years, which is easily the largest contract in MLB history while also breaking the record for the largest contract in North American sports (Patrick Mahomes held the previous record).

Ohtani’s former teammate Mike Trout holds the second largest contract in MLB history. Several years ago, Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract to stay with the Angels.

Unfortunately, Trout and Ohtani never were able to make it to the playoffs despite being two of the best players in the game.

Following Trout is Ohtani’s new teammate, Mookie Betts. The former Red Sox player has been a star for the Dodgers since being traded to Los Angeles and is making just less than Trout, but not by much.

Following the big three contracts are big names that aren't surprising to see on the list.

Aaron Judge, Manny Machado, Bryce Harper are all superstars and earning over $300 million.

In addition, there is a new name to this list as of a few days ago. Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto agreed to a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers despite never throwing a pitch in MLB.

Yamamoto, at 25 years old, set the record for the largest contact for a pitcher which was previously held by Gerrit Cole with his $324 million contract. 

MLB highest-paid players in 2024

Player	Team	Position	2024 Salary
Max Scherzer	Texas Rangers	P	$43.3 million
Justin Verlander	Houston Astros	P	$43.3 million
Aaron Judge	New York Yankees	OF	$40 million
Jacob deGrom	Texas Rangers	P	$37 million
Gerrit Cole	New York Yankees	P	$36 million
Mike Trout	Los Angeles Angels	OF	$35.5 million
Stephen Strasburg	Washington Nationals	P	$35 million
Anthony Rendon	Los Angeles Angels	3B	$35 million
Francisco Lindor	New York Mets	SS	$34.1 million
Carlos Correa	Minnesota Twins	SS	$33.3 million

There may be some names on this list that weren’t on the previous list, and that’s because they signed for fewer years but a higher annual salary.

A good example of that is the top two players, who were once teammates, but now division foes.

You might think that Ohtani should be at the top of the list with a 10-year, $700 million contract. However, Ohtani is not making $70 million a year.

In fact, he deferred most of the money until his career is over - or at least until his new contract expires - so the two-way star is making $2 million in 2024.

Instead of Ohtani, it is pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at the top of the list. Scherzer and Verlander were both signed by the Mets prior to the 2023 season, but their tenure in New York did not last long amid a disastrous campaign for the team.

Both star pitchers were traded before the deadline last season and are now on new teams. 

Following the duo of pitchers is a pair of teammates in New York. Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole are set to make a combined $76 million in 2024, which would be the highest for a pair of teammates if it wasn’t for Scherzer and Jacob deGrom in Texas.

Scherzer is set to make $43.3 million and deGrom is under contract for $37 million in 2024, however, deGrom is out until 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery this past summer. 

Perhaps one of the most surprising names on the list is Stephen Strasburg.

The former World Series champion has appeared in only 31.2 innings since 2019 due to slew of injuries and just a few weeks ago the 35-year-old announced his retirement from baseball.

However, the Nationals have not acknowledged his retirement which has caused an interesting situation in the Nation’s Capital.

A few of the other players on the list, Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Francisco Lindor, are all set to make over $30 million in 2024.