by Baseball has reached new heights in 2025, with player salaries breaking records left and right.
The highest paid major league baseball players are earning more money than entire small businesses make in a year.
This incredible growth shows just how valuable these athletes have become to their teams and fans around the world.
The sport has changed dramatically over the past few years. After dealing with slow, boring games filled with too much data analysis, MLB finally made smart changes in 2023.
They added a pitch clock, made bases bigger, and limited defensive shifts. These changes brought back the excitement and athleticism that make baseball fun to watch.
Without a salary cap like other sports, baseball teams can spend unlimited amounts on player contracts.
This freedom has created a competitive market where the best players can earn incredible amounts of money.
Teams know that signing a superstar can mean the difference between winning championships and disappointing fans.
The way we measure player salaries has also evolved. Instead of just looking at total contract value, teams and fans now focus on Average Annual Value or AAV.
Highest Paid Major League Baseball Players 2025
This number tells us exactly how much a player earns each year, making it easier to compare different contracts and understand who makes the most money in baseball today.
Top 50 Highest Paid Major League Baseball Players 2025
| 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 Players – Detailed Profiles
- Shohei Ohtani represents something baseball has never seen before. He can pitch like a Cy Young winner and hit like an MVP candidate in the same season. His unique two-way ability makes him the most valuable player in the sport today. Annual Salary: $70 million
- Juan Soto just signed the largest contract in baseball history, and for good reason. At just 26 years old, he already has elite plate discipline and power that few players ever develop. His patient approach leads to walks and clutch hits. Annual Salary: $61.9 million
- Zack Wheeler has become one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. His fastball regularly reaches the high 90s, and his slider is nearly unhittable. Wheeler has helped anchor the Phillies rotation during their recent playoff runs. Annual Salary: $42 million
- Aaron Judge stands tall as the face of the New York Yankees. His combination of power, leadership, and clutch hitting has made him one of baseball’s biggest stars. Judge consistently produces in the most pressure-packed situations. Annual Salary: $40 million
- Alex Bregman brings championship experience and versatility to the Boston Red Sox. He can play multiple infield positions while providing consistent offensive production. His baseball intelligence and competitive drive make him a valuable team leader. Annual Salary: $40 million
- Jacob deGrom possesses some of the best pure stuff in baseball history. When healthy, his fastball and slider combination is virtually unhittable. Unfortunately, injuries have limited his availability in recent years, making each start precious. Annual Salary: $40 million
What Drives These High Salaries?
Several key factors explain why baseball salaries continue reaching new heights year after year:
- No Salary Cap: Baseball has no spending limit, unlike football and basketball
- Guaranteed Contracts: Players receive full payment regardless of performance or injury
- Long Seasons: 162 games plus playoffs provide extensive entertainment value
- Global Revenue: International markets bring additional income streams
- Star Power: Elite players drive ticket sales and merchandise revenue
Contract Structure Basics
Modern baseball contracts include many components beyond basic salary:
- Signing Bonuses: Upfront payments when contracts are signed
- Performance Incentives: Extra money for reaching statistical goals
- No-Trade Clauses: Players can block trades to unwanted teams
- Deferred Payments: Salary paid over many years, sometimes after retirement
- Option Years: Teams can extend contracts under predetermined terms
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 excel as both a pitcher and a hitter makes him the most valuable player in baseball today.
- Why are baseball salaries so much higher than other sports?
Baseball has no salary cap, fully guaranteed contracts, and longer seasons than other major sports. Teams can spend unlimited amounts to acquire talent, driving salaries higher than in sports with spending restrictions.
- How do teams afford these massive contracts?
Teams generate revenue through television deals, ticket sales, concessions, sponsorships, and merchandise. Successful teams in large markets can earn hundreds of millions annually, justifying large player investments.
- What happens if a highly paid player gets injured?
Baseball contracts are typically fully guaranteed, meaning injured players still receive their full salary. This financial protection makes baseball contracts more secure than performance-based deals in other sports.
- Do small market teams have any chance to compete with big spenders?
While large market teams have spending advantages, smart small market teams can compete through player development, strategic trades, and finding undervalued talent. Success requires excellent front office management.
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Future of Baseball Salaries
Baseball salaries will likely continue growing as the sport expands globally and finds new revenue sources.
Several trends point toward even higher compensation in the coming years.
The international expansion of baseball, particularly in Asia and Europe, creates new markets for teams to monetize.
Streaming services and digital platforms provide additional revenue streams beyond traditional television contracts.
These growing income sources give teams more money to spend on player salaries.
Advanced analytics help teams identify undervalued players while avoiding overpaying for declining skills.
This smarter approach to player evaluation could lead to more efficient spending, but elite talent will always command premium prices.
The success of recent rule changes has brought excitement back to baseball, attracting new fans and increasing revenue.
As attendance and television ratings improve, teams have more financial resources to invest in top players.
This positive cycle benefits both the sport and its highest-paid stars, ensuring that baseball salaries will continue reaching new heights in the years ahead.
