Below is our list of the 29 biggest contracts in MLB history average annual value (AAV). Please note that if the player already has a contract and signed an extension, only the new amount is counted. For our list of the largest contracts in total dollars, click here.
1. Shohei OhtaniDodgers: $70,000,000. Free agent contract signed December 2023. 97.1% of total deferred from 2034-43. As a result, for luxury tax purposes, MLB calculated the AAV at $46.06MM. The MLBPA calculated the AAV at $43,783,056.30.
2. Juan SotoMets: $51,000,000. The free agent contract was signed in December 2024. Given the lack of deferred revenue, this should be considered a real record for AAV.
3. Max ScherzerMets: $43,333,333.33. Free agent contract signed in November 2021
4. Justin VerlanderMets: $43,330,000. Free agent contract signed in December 2022
5. Zack WheelerPhillies: $42,000,000. The extension was signed in March 2024
6. Aaron is the judgeYankees: $40,000,000. Free agent contract signed in December 2022
7. Jacob deGromGuardians: $37,000,000. Free agent contract signed in December 2022
8. Blake SnellDodgers: $36,400,000. The free agent contract was signed in November 2024. Taking into account the deferrals, the MLBPA calculated the AAV as $31,735,498.
t-9. Mike TroutAngels: $36,000,000. The extension was signed in March 2019
t-9. Gerrit ColeYankees: $36,000,000. A free agent contract was signed in December 2019
11. Carlos CorreaTwins: $35,100,000. Free agent contract signed in March 2022
t-12. Stephen StrasburgNations: $35,000,000. A free agent contract was signed in December 2019
t-12. Anthony RendonAngels: $35,000,000. A free agent contract was signed in December 2019
14. Zack GreinkeDiamondbacks: $34,416,667. A free agent contract was signed in December 2015
15. Francisco LindorMets: $34.1MM. The extension was signed in March 2021
16. Trevor BauerDodgers: $34,000,000. Free agent contract signed in February 2021
17. Nolan ArenadoRockies: $33,428,571. The extension was signed in February 2019
18. Carlos CorreaTwins: $33,333,333.33. Free agent contract signed in January 2023
19. Justin VerlanderAstros: $33,000,000. The extension was signed in March 2019
20. Corey SeagerGuardians: $32,500,000. Free agent contract signed in November 2021
21. Rafael DeversRed Sox: $31,350,000. The extension was signed in January 2023
t-22. Blake SnellGiants: $31,000,000. The free agent contract was signed in March 2024. Considering the postponement, i MLBPA is listed AAV as $29,698,347
t-22. Miguel CabreraTigers: $31,000,000. The extension was signed in March 2014
t-22. David PriceRed Sox: $31,000,000. A free agent contract was signed in December 2015
t-22. Clayton KershawDodgers: $31,000,000. The extension was signed in November 2018
26. Clayton KershawDodgers: $30,714,286. The extension was signed in January 2014
27. Mookie BettsDodgers: $30,416,667. The extension was signed in July 2020
28. Jacob deGromMets: $30,125,000. The extension was signed in March 2019
t-29. Manny MachadoPadres: $30,000,000. Free agent contract signed in February 2019
t-29. Max ScherzerNations: $30,000,000. Free agent contract signed in January 2015. Calculated at $28,689,376 for luxury tax purposes.
