Baseball has long been a game of big moments and even bigger paychecks for the richest players in the MLB.
From all-time legends with record-setting contracts to today’s superstars commanding massive salaries, the richest players in the MLB reflect the sport’s soaring financial landscape.
He is one of two players to earn over $400 million in the MLB…
We’ll take a look at the top 10 richest players in MLB history based on career earnings, as well as the top 10 richest players that are in the league today based on their current salary.
Here are the richest players in the MLB:
| Rank | Player | Career earnings | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Alex Rodriguez |
$485.159 million | 1994-2016 |
| 2 |  Justin Verlander |
$411.254 million | 2005-Present |
| 3 | Miguel Cabrera |
$393.188 million | 2003-2023 |
| 4 |  Max Scherzer |
$363.074 million | 2008-Present |
| 5 |  Albert Pujols |
$341.810 million | 2001-2022 |
| 6 |  Zack Greinke |
$340.474 million | 2004-2023 |
| 7 |  Mike Trout |
$338.640 million | 2011-Present |
| 8 |  Clayton Kershaw |
$314.676 million | 2008-2025 |
| 9 |  Stephen Strasburg |
$267.233 million | 2010-2022 |
| 10 | Derek Jeter |
$266.255 million | 1995-2014 |
Alex Rodriguez | $485.159 million | 1994-2016Alex Rodriguez is the richest player in MLB history. A 14-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP, he played 22 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.
Known for his power and versatility, he hit 696 home runs and earned over $450 million in his career.
Justin Verlander | $411.254 million | 2005-PresentJustin Verlander is one of the richest players in MLB history. He is one of two players to earn over $400 million in the MLB.
A dominant right-handed pitcher, Verlander won three Cy Young Awards and an MVP award. He’s known for his longevity and postseason success, winning two World Series titles with the Houston Astros.
Miguel Cabrera | $393.188 million | 2003-2023Miguel Cabrera, a two-time MVP and 12-time All-Star, is one of the richest players in MLB history.
Cabrera played 21 seasons with the Miami Marlins and Detroit Tigers. One of the greatest hitters of his era, he recorded over 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. He won a World Series in 2003 and the triple crown in 2012.
Max Scherzer | $363.074 million | 2008-PresentSince his debut in 2008, pitcher Max Scherzer has amassed $345 million in career earnings, making him one of the richest players in MLB history.
Scherzer has had a stellar 17-season career. He has earned three Cy Young Awards, threw two no-hitters and he’s won World Series titles with the Washington Nationals and Rangers. The 41 year old is in his second season with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Albert Pujols | $341.810 million | 2001-2022Albert Pujols starred in the MLB for over 20 years and he is one of the richest players in MLB history.
Pujols, a three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star, played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers. He amassed 3,384 hits and 703 home runs.
Zack Greinke | $340.474 million | 2004-2023Zack Greinke debuted in 2004 with the Kansas City Royals and is one of the richest players in MLB history.
A six-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove winner, and 2009 AL Cy Young Award recipient, Greinke compiled over 200 wins and nearly 3,000 strikeouts.
Mike Trout | $338.640 million | 2011-PresentMike Trout has collected nearly $340 million in career earnings in his tenure with the Angels, which makes him one of the richest players in MLB history.
The three-time AL MVP, 11-time All-Star and two-time All-Star Game MVP has logged more than 400 home runs in his tremendous career.
Clayton Kershaw | $314.676 | 2008-PresentLeft-handed ace Clayton Kershaw is next up on the list of richest players in MLB history. Kershaw spent his entire career with the Dodgers, retiring after winning another World Series in 2025.
The 11-time All-Star, three-time NL Cy Young winner, and 2014 NL MVP recorded more than 3,000 career strikeouts and won well over 200 games.
Stephen Strasburg | $267.233 million | 2010-2022Among the richest players in MLB history, former Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is somewhat of an anomaly.
Strasburg was an elite pitcher for many years, but the former first overall pick battled injury issues for most of his career and was forced to retire at just 33 years old. He is due to keep earning $26.7 million in deferred payments through 2029, meaning he could keep climbing the richest players in MLB history list.
Derek Jeter | $266.315 million | 1995-2014Derek Jeter is one of the greatest shortstops of all time and he is one of the richest players in MLB history.
Jeter spent his entire career with the Yankees. He was a 14-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion. He holds the franchise record for most hits (3,465).
| Rank | Player | Salary | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shohei Ohtani |
$70 million | 2018-Present |
| 2 | Kyle Tucker |
$60 million | 2018-Present |
| 3 |  Juan Soto |
$51 million | 2018-Present |
| 4 | Bo Bichette |
$42 million | 2019-Present |
| 5 |  Zack Wheeler |
$42 million | 2013-Present |
| 6 | Aaron Judge |
$40 million | 2016-Present |
| 7 | Framber Valdez |
$38.3 million | 2018-Present |
| 8 |  Jacob deGrom |
$37 million | 2014-Present |
| 9 | Blake Snell |
$36.4 million | 2011-Present |
| 10 | Gerrit Cole |
$36 million | 2013-Present |
Shohei Ohtani | $70 million | 2018-PresentShohei Ohtani is the richest player in the MLB today. He is earning about $70 million per year for the Dodgers.
The two-way sensation became the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, earning unanimous NL MVP honors.
Kyle Tucker | $60 million | 2018-PresentOhtani’s Dodgers teammate Kyle Tucker is the second-richest player in the MLB today. He is earning about $60 million per year.
Tucker was one of the biggest free agents in the most recent off-season and garnered big ticket offers from the Dodgers and Blue Jays, among other teams. He ultimately signed a four-year, $240 million contract with Los Angeles.
Juan Soto | $51 million | 2018-PresentJuan Soto quickly emerged as an elite hitter in 2018 with the Nationals and he is now one of the richest players in the MLB today.
A four-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger, Soto won the 2019 World Series and he claimed the 2020 National League batting title. He signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets.
Bo Bichette | $42 million | 2019-PresentThanks to a lucrative three-year, $126 million contract with the New York Mets, Bo Bichette is now among the richest players in the MLB today.
Bichette is a two-time All-Star who led the AL in hits in consecutive seasons in 2021 and 2022. He had a career-best .311 batting average in 2025, his final year with the Blue Jays, and was a sought-after free agent in the winter.
Zack Wheeler | $42 million | 2013-PresentZack Wheeler really broke out with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019 and he became one of the richest players in the MLB today following his historic $126 million extension in 2024.
Wheeler has earned multiple All-Star nods, a Gold Glove and finished top two in Cy Young voting twice.
Aaron Judge | $40 million | 2016-PresentAaron Judge debuted with the Yankees in August 2016 and quickly became a premier power hitter and one of the richest players in the MLB today.
Judge won AL Rookie of the Year in 2017 and the MVP in 2022 and 2024. He set the American League single-season home run record with 62 in 2022.
Framber Valdez | $38.3 million | 2018-PresentVeteran pitcher Framber Valdez can credit the Detroit Tigers with helping to make him one of the richest players in MLB today.
Valdez, 32, spent eight seasons with the Astros with an 81-52 record and 3.36 ERA. He signed a three-year, $115 million contract with the Tigers in February 2026.
Jacob deGrom | $37 million | 2014-PresentAL Comeback Player of the Year odds favorite Jacob deGrom is next up on the list of richest players in the MLB today as he earns approximately $37 million per year.
A two-time Cy Young winner and five-time All-Star, deGrom became the fastest modern pitcher to reach 1,700 strikeouts.
Blake Snell | $36.4 million | 2011-PresentBlake Snell debuted in 2016 with the Tampa Bay Rays, winning the Cy Young in 2018, and he is now one of the richest players in the MLB today.
After stints with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, Snell signed a five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers.
Gerrit Cole | $36 million | 2013-PresentGerrit Cole, the No. 1 overall pick in 2011, debuted with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became an ace and one of the richest players in the MLB today.
Cole is a six-time All-Star and he won the 2023 Cy Young Award. He’s amassed well over 2,000 strikeouts in his career.
Shohei Ohtani is the richest player in the MLB right now. He is earning about $70 million per year for the Dodgers. The two-way sensation became the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, earning unanimous NL MVP honors.
The average salary of MLB players for the 2025 season is about $5.16 million. This is the first team it has topped the $5 million mark in a season. However, the median salary of MLB players is much lower – about $1.35 million.
The average salary of MLB players has increased over the years. The average salary is currently at a record high of $5.16 million for the 2025 season. The 2000s was the first decade that the average salary was over $1 million. The average salary of MLB players has only increased over the years.
Aaron Judge is one of the richest players in the MLB today. He earns approximately $40 million per year playing for the New York Yankees. Judge won AL Rookie of the Year in 2017 and the MVP in 2022 and 2024. He set the American League single-season home run record with 62 in 2022.
Derek Jeter is one of the richest players in MLB history. He has made $266.315 million in his MLB career. Jeter spent his entire career with the Yankees. He was a 14-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion. He holds the franchise record for most hits (3,465).
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