The Rise of the Highest Paid Baseball Players in the World

Baseball has always been a popular sport, drawing in millions of fans and generating billions of dollars in revenue. It is no surprise that players who excel in this sport are handsomely rewarded for their skills and abilities. In recent years, the salaries of baseball players have reached astronomical levels, with some even surpassing those of professional athletes in other sports. But who are these highest paid baseball players and how did they get to where they are today? In this article, we will take a closer look at the rise of the highest paid baseball players in the world.

Overview of Baseball Salaries

Before delving into the specifics of the highest paid baseball players, it is important to understand the overall structure of salaries in Major League Baseball (MLB). According to data from the MLB Players Association, the average annual salary for a player in 2021 is $4.17 million. This is a significant increase from the average salary of $3.82 million in 2019. The top earners in the league earn well above this average, with the highest paid player making over $35 million per year.

The salary of a baseball player is determined by various factors such as their performance, experience, position, and market demand. The MLB also has a salary cap system in place to ensure competitive balance among teams. This means that each team has a limit on how much they can spend on player salaries. However, there are ways for teams to exceed this limit, such as through luxury tax penalties or signing bonuses.

With this understanding of the overall structure of baseball salaries, let us now explore the top earners in the league.

The Top 6 Highest Paid Baseball Players

1. Gerrit Cole – $36 Million

Gerrit Cole currently holds the title of the highest paid baseball player in the world. The New York Yankees pitcher signed a nine-year, $324 million contract in 2019, making him the highest paid pitcher in MLB history. This contract also includes a full no-trade clause and an opt-out after the fifth year. Cole’s impressive resume includes three All-Star selections, a Cy Young runner-up award, and a career ERA of 3.20.

The majority of Cole’s salary comes from his base salary, which is $36 million per year. He also receives signing bonuses and performance bonuses, bringing his total earnings to over $36 million.

2. Mike Trout – $35.5 Million

Mike Trout, often referred to as the best player in baseball, is the second highest paid player in the league. The Los Angeles Angels outfielder signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract in 2019, making him the highest paid player in MLB history at the time. This contract also includes a full no-trade clause and an opt-out after the fifth year. Trout’s impressive resume includes three MVP awards, eight All-Star selections, and a career OPS of .993.

Trout earns a base salary of $35.5 million per year, along with signing bonuses and performance bonuses. When taking into account all forms of income, he earns just over $37 million per year.

3. Clayton Kershaw – $31 Million

Clayton Kershaw is the third highest paid player in the league, earning $31 million per year. The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher signed a seven-year, $215 million contract in 2014, which was the largest contract for a pitcher at the time. This contract also includes a full no-trade clause and an opt-out after the fifth year. Kershaw’s impressive resume includes three Cy Young awards, eight All-Star selections, and a career ERA of 2.44.

Kershaw’s base salary accounts for the majority of his earnings, but he also receives bonuses for his performance on the field. In total, Kershaw earns just over $31 million per year.

4. Jacob deGrom – $30.5 Million

Jacob deGrom is the fourth highest paid player in the league, earning $30.5 million per year. The New York Mets pitcher signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract in 2019, which made him the highest paid pitcher in the National League at the time. This contract also includes a full no-trade clause and an opt-out after the fifth year. DeGrom’s impressive resume includes two Cy Young awards, three All-Star selections, and a career ERA of 2.61.

DeGrom’s base salary accounts for the majority of his earnings, but he also receives bonuses for his performance on the field. In total, he earns just over $30.5 million per year.

5. Zack Greinke – $31.5 Million

Zack Greinke is tied with Clayton Kershaw as the third highest paid player in the league, both earning $31 million per year. The Houston Astros pitcher signed a six-year, $206.5 million contract in 2016, which at the time was the largest contract in MLB history for a right-handed pitcher. This contract also includes a full no-trade clause and an opt-out after the third year. Greinke’s impressive resume includes a Cy Young award, six All-Star selections, and a career ERA of 3.36.

Greinke’s base salary accounts for the majority of his earnings, but he also receives bonuses for his performance on the field. In total, he earns just over $31 million per year.

6. Manny Machado – $30 Million

Manny Machado is the sixth highest paid player in the league, earning $30 million per year. The San Diego Padres third baseman signed a 10-year, $300 million contract in 2019, which at the time was the largest free-agent contract in MLB history. This contract also includes a full no-trade clause and an opt-out after the fifth year. Machado’s impressive resume includes four All-Star selections and two Gold Glove awards.

Machado’s base salary accounts for the majority of his earnings, but he also receives bonuses for his performance on the field. In total, he earns just over $30 million per year.

Factors Affecting Salaries in Baseball

Now that we have explored the top earners in the league, let us take a closer look at the factors that contribute to their high salaries.

Performance

Performance is arguably the most important factor in determining a player’s salary in baseball. Players who consistently perform well on the field are highly sought after by teams and can command higher salaries. This can include factors such as batting average, earned run average (ERA), home runs, and RBIs. As seen with the top earners, players who have won multiple MVP, Cy Young, or Gold Glove awards tend to earn higher salaries.

Position

The position a player plays also plays a role in their salary. Pitchers, for example, tend to have higher salaries than other positions due to their importance in the game. Starting pitchers, who play in every fifth game, have the potential to significantly impact the outcome of a game, making them highly valuable. This is reflected in the salaries of players like Gerrit Cole and Clayton Kershaw who are both starting pitchers.

Market Demand

Market demand can also affect a player’s salary in baseball. Teams in larger markets with more revenue-generating potential may be able to offer higher salaries to attract top talent. For instance, the New York Yankees, one of the most profitable teams in the league, are able to offer higher salaries than smaller market teams like the San Diego Padres. This can be seen in the contracts of players like Gerrit Cole and Manny Machado.

Experience

The experience of a player also plays a role in their salary. As players gain more experience in the league, they become more valuable due to their knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities. This is reflected in the salaries of players like Zack Greinke and Jacob deGrom who have been in the league for over 10 years and have earned numerous accolades throughout their careers.

Negotiation Skills

Lastly, a player’s negotiation skills can also affect their salary. Agents who represent players often negotiate on their behalf to secure the best deals possible. Agents who are skilled in negotiations can often secure higher salaries for their clients. This can be seen in the contracts of players like Mike Trout and Manny Machado who both have experienced agents negotiating on their behalf.

The Impact of Salary on the Game of Baseball

The rise of the highest paid baseball players has had a significant impact on the game itself. While many argue that these high salaries are justified due to the level of skill and performance of these players, others believe it has negatively affected the sport.

Increased Competitive Balance

One positive impact of high salaries in baseball is the increased competitive balance among teams. With a salary cap system in place, teams are forced to make strategic decisions when it comes to signing players and managing their budgets. This has led to more evenly matched teams and exciting games for fans to watch. It has also allowed smaller market teams to compete with larger market teams by offering competitive salaries to top talent.

Rising Ticket Prices

On the other hand, the high salaries of players have led to increased ticket prices. With teams spending such large amounts of money on player salaries, they need to generate more revenue to cover these costs. This has resulted in rising ticket prices for fans, making it more expensive to attend games. This can make it difficult for the average person to afford to attend a game, limiting the accessibility of the sport.

Disparity Between Players

The rising salaries of top players have also created a disparity between them and the rest of the league. While the top earners are making millions of dollars per year, there are many players who are struggling to make ends meet. This has led to criticism of the salary structure in baseball, with some arguing that it is unfair for the top players to earn such high salaries while others are barely making enough to support themselves and their families.

The Future of Salaries in Baseball

As salaries in baseball continue to rise, many wonder where it will all end. Will we see players earning $50 million or more per year in the near future? It is impossible to predict, but one thing is for sure – the top earners in the league will continue to earn exorbitant amounts of money as long as they perform at a high level.

With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the MLB had to shut down operations for several months, resulting in significant losses for teams and players alike. As a result, the league and the players’ association agreed on a reduced salary structure for the 2020 season. This has raised questions about the sustainability of the current salary structure and whether changes need to be made to ensure the long-term success of the sport.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the salaries of baseball players have reached unprecedented levels in recent years, with the top earners making over $30 million per year. These salaries are determined by various factors such as performance, position, market demand, experience, and negotiation skills. While there are both positive and negative impacts of high salaries on the game, one thing is for certain – these top players are handsomely rewarded for their talents and abilities. Only time will tell how the salary structure in baseball will continue to evolve in the future.