MLB payrolls are not quite at the level of those in NFL and NBA, but there is still a lot of money in the game, with the biggest players earning huge sums.
The length of contract in baseball is also larger than in other sports, so the value of the whole contracts are often massive on the surface.
Here, we have looked into the 12 largest contracts in the MLB in 2025.
1. Juan Soto
In December 2024, Soto signed a $765million deal for 15 years with the New York Mets.
It is currently both the largest total value contract in MLB history and the longest. And none of Soto’s money is deferred, meaning he is currently making $61.8million a year.
One of the very best hitters in the league, Soto can opt out of his contract in 2029, but the Mets can stop that by adding an extra $4million to his deal per year between 2030 and 2039.
2. Shohei Ohtani
After the 2023 season, LA Dodgers designated hitter and starting pitcher Ohtani signed what was then the largest contract in the history of MLB.
He will earn $700million for his 10-year contract, though most of that won’t actually be paid over that period.
Indeed, from 2024 to 2033, Ohtani is only making $2million per year. As much as $680million is deferred over the next 10 years, meaning Ohtani will make $68million each year from 2034 to 2043.
3. Mike Trout
Trout is the first person on this list to earn more than $400million per season. The LA Angels right fielder is on a 12-year, $426.5million contract.
Trout has worked his way up the ranks with the Angels, selected there in the first round in 2009, when he made under $1million.
Now, he earns more than $37million per season, still on a contract he signed when he was unquestionably thought of as the best player in baseball.
4. Mookie Betts
LA Dodgers shortstop Betts is on a 12-year, $365million contract, which is only around half the value of the biggest contract in that organisation.
A lot of Betts’ contract is deferred until after it is due to end -but if he’s traded before then, the deferrals are eliminated and his contract will be paid in full.
5. Aaron Judge
Judge is one of the most well-known players in the game right and earns a contract reflecting his star status.
The New York Yankees right fielder will earn $360million over nine years, making $40million per season. At the time of signing, Judge was on the largest average salary contract for a position player in MLB history.
6. Manny Machado
Third baseman Machado is on an 11-year, $350million contract with the San Diego Padres, beating teammate Tatis Jr’s deal by $10million.
After 2025, his annual salary will jump from $17million to $25million, and then after another year, Machado will make $39million per year.
7. Francisco Lindor
In 2022, Lindor signed a 10-year, $341million contract with the New York Mets.
The structure is essentially the same throughout the 10 years, with Lindor making approximately $32.5million in every season other than this one, where he earns around $2million more.
8. Fernando Tatis Jr
Tatis Jr’s contract is the second-highest the San Diego Padres have ever paid to anybody. The right fielder will earn $340million over 13 years.
Tatis Jr earned $1.8million in 2021, but when it reaches 2029, for the last six years of the contract, he’ll be on $36.7million per season.
9. Bryce Harper
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Harper is on a 13-year, $330million contract, which makes him his side’s highest-paid player.
By the end of that contract, he’ll be 38 years old and might well have no reason to play beyond that.
=12. Corey Seager
Texas Rangers shortstop Seager is one of three players tied on a $325million contract.
Seager’s deal is for 10 years, with the other pair in the MLB who are on the same pay getting it for longer periods, meaning Seager earns more per season than they do.
=12. Giancarlo Stanton
New York Yankees designated hitter Stanton is also on a $325million contract over the span of 13 years.
He is also still being paid by former side Miami Marlins, who are still giving him around $10million per year. They dealt him to the Yankees as his large contract was becoming a problem for them.
=12. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yamamoto is on a 12-year, $325million contract. The value of that contract rises in increments, with the LA Dodgers pitcher earning $18.3million in 2025.
That will rise to $34.3million in two years, by which point he’ll have already earned over $100million of his contract, including a large signing bonus.
