Baseball contracts are getting out of control. In recent years, baseball players have seen a significant increase in their salaries, and some of them became the highest paid baseball players.
Thankfully, the majority of these players are well worth the money. Now, let’s look at the top nine highest paid baseball players for the upcoming 2021 season.
Top 10 Highest Paid Baseball Players 2021
This year’s player income has increased over last year. Thanks to COVID-19, the 2020 season was cut to 60 games. So the payment decreased by 63 percent. Compared to $152 million for the previous years, the top highest paid baseball players have earned a total of $357 million this year.
Mike Trout: One of the Highest Paid Baseball Players
Michael Nelson Trout is one of the highest paid baseball players. Now he plays for the Los Angeles Angels. Michael has the highest agreement in North American history since he signed a 12-year contract for over $427 million.
Mike’s net worth is $37 million. He had already made a stunning $81 million before his agreement had even started.
Furthermore, by the time his contract expires in 2030, he will have made a total of $508 million. However, due to the epidemic, the Los Angeles Angels decreased the contract from $36 million to $13 million in 2020.
Average Salary: $37,116,666
Anthony Rendon
Anthony Michael Rendon is among the highest paid baseball players who plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Major (MLB). He used to play for the Washington Nationals. He also participated in the Nationals’ 2019 World Series champion team.
Rendon signed a seven-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels on December 11. This team will pay him $245 million for his play. Then, on December 14, 2019, the team managers announced him as an Angel.
Average salary: $36,571,428
Gerrit Alan Cole
Gerrit Alan Cole is the next player on our list of the highest paid baseball players. He plays as a pitcher for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball. Alan is considered one of baseball’s top beginning pitchers.
Gerrit Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2019. As a result, his average annual contract was $36 million, making him the highest-paid baseball player at the time.
Cole, like other players, earned $13.3 million in 2020 as a result of the epidemic. Throughout his professional life, Cole has earned almost $75 salary alone.
Average salary: $36,000,000
Jacob deGrom | Highest Paid Baseball Players
Jacob deGrom, the premier pitcher, is one of the greatest pitchers in the league. He started his MLB in 2014 with the New York Mets.
Jacob’s career had taken a significant jump forward. He was not in the top highest paid baseball players list in 2019, but now he is the fourth highest-paid player in 2021.
In 2019, Jacob agreed to a five-year, $138 million contract with the Mets. The Mets also added a $52.5 million deferral option. In 2019, he was paid a total of $7 million, up from $36 million the previous year.
The Mets hope he would agree with a new contract with a $33 million option once his current one ends in 2024.
Average salary: $36,000,000
Related: Highest Paid WNBA Player in 2021
Nolan Arenado
Nolan James Arenado is a professional player who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals. Arenado started his career in Major League Baseball in 2013 with the Colorado Rockies.
When the Colorado Rockies transferred Nolan to the Cardinals, he had a contract change. Nolan and the Rockies signed an eight-year, $260 million contract with an extension in 2019. As a result, from 2021 to 2024, his annual pay will be $35 million.
Nolan was unsatisfied with the Rockies in 2020 and wanted to be traded. In 2021, he moved to the Cardinals.
In addition, when Nolan becomes 36 years old in 2027, he will receive a $15 million raise.
Average salary: $35,000,000
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Zack Greinke | Highest Paid Baseball Players
Donald Zackary Greinke is one of the highest paid baseball players. He plays for the Houston Astros. Zack started his career in 2004 with the Kansas City Royals.
Zack has a total wealth of $120 million. He earns $35 million annually in 2021. Zack negotiated a six-year, $206 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015.
Grienke made a total of $191 million in 2018, including a salary of $25 million. His salary was raised to $32 million the next year. Also, he moved to the Houston Astros in the same year. His recent overall pay is $35 million, which adds a $3 million bonus.
Average salary: $35,000,000
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg is a pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He was born in San Diego. Strasburg started his Major league baseball career in 2010 with the Washington Nationals.
Strasburg agreed to a four-year contract with the Nationals in 2009. The contract is worth $15 million. In 2016, he also agreed to a $175 million contract extension with them.
Besides that, he signed a new seven-year contract with the Nationals in 2019. The total amount for the contract was $245 million.
Average salary: $35,000,000
Trevor Bauer
Trevor Bauer ranked 9 in the list of top 9 highest paid baseball players. He started his career as a professional baseball player with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012.
Trevor agreed on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians in 2017. His contract is worth $3.55 million.
Trevor’s salary has increased significantly year after year. In 2021, he agreed on a contract with the Dodgers worth $102 million. He also earned a $10 million bonus, which marked a significant change.
Average salary: $35,333,333
