How much does it cost to land a generational baseball talent still in his prime? Let's ask the Los Angeles Dodgers' accountants, a group that will surely have its hands full for years to come.
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani announced he decided to join the Dodgers after a lengthy process, simply crossing towns instead of borders, which would've been the case had he picked the Toronto Blue Jays.
Of course, in doing so the Dodgers had to pay quite the pretty penny to afford Ohtani. Ohtani's reported contract is a stunning 10-year, $700 million deal that will see the star make $70 million a year. It's an unprecedented figure, but elites don't come cheap.
Following Ohtani's blockbuster contract, let's look at the highest-paid MLB players entering the 2024 season, with more shuffling likely to occur:
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Who are the highest-paid MLB players?
Ohtani's reported deal will see him comfortably claiming the throne.
The next highest players signed deals prior to the 2023 season with an average annual value (AAV) of over $40 million. The order could change depending on the dominoes that fall after Ohtani's decision.
Here’s a full look at the highest-paid MLB players making at least $25 million in 2024 based on AAV, according to Spotrac:
1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers: $70 million
T-2. Max Scherzer, Texas Rangers: $43,333,333
T-2. Justin Verlander, Houston Astros: $43,333,333
4. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies: $42 million
5. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: $40 million
6. Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers: $37 million
7. Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees: $36 million
8. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels: $35,541,667
T-9. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals: $35 million
T-9. Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels: $35 million
11. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: $34.1 million
12. Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins: $33.3 million
T-13. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers: $32.5 million
T-13. Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals: $32.5 million
15. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: $31,818,182
16. Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox: $31,350,000
17. Juan Soto, New York Yankees: $31 million
18. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers: $30,416,667
19. Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers: $27,312,500
20. Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies: $27,272,727
21. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers: $27,083,333
T-22. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers: $27 million
T-22. Carlos Rodon, New York Yankees: $27 million
24. Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers: $26,928,571
25. Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs: $26,666,667
26. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: $26,252,525
T-27. Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals: $26 million
T-27. Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies: $26 million
29. Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres: $25,454,545
30. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies: $25,384,615
31. Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs: $25,285,714
T-32. Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees: $25 million
T-32. Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers: $25 million
T-32. George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays: $25 million
T-32. Sonny Gray, St. Louis Cardinals: $25 million
