Who is the highest-paid outfielder in MLB? Yankees' Aaron Judge pulls in $40 million for 2023
Aaron Judge made history in the offseason.
Judge, who hit a American League-record 62 home runs last season with the New York Yankees, signed a nine-year deal worth $360 million – the largest by a free agent in baseball history.
He will earn $40 million per season, the highest average annual payout for a position player.
The reigning AL MVP, who rejected a deal worth $213.5 million over seven years from 2023-29 before the 2022 season, had one of the greatest contract-year performances in history – hitting .311 with 133 runs scored and 131 RBI – and breaking Roger Maris' AL home run record that had stood for 61 years.
Who are the highest-paid MLB outfielders in 2023?
Here's the top 10:
1. Aaron Judge, N.Y. Yankees, $40,000,000
2. Mike Trout, L.A. Angels, $37,116,667
3. Kris Bryant, Colorado, $28,000,000
4. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia, $27,538,462
5. Christian Yelich, Milwaukee, $24,250,727
6. George Springer, Toronto, $24,166,667
7. Juan Soto, San Diego, $23,000,000
8. Mookie Betts, L.A. Dodgers, $21,158,692
9. Starling Marte, N.Y. Mets, $20,750,000
10. Nick Castellanos, Philadelphia, $20,000,000
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What are the biggest contracts ever for an outfielder in MLB?
Here is the list, by total value:
1. Mike Trout, $426,500,000 (2019-30)
2. Mookie Betts, $365,000,000 (2021-32)
3. Aaron Judge, $360,000,000 (2023-31)
4. Bryce Harper, $330,000,000 (2019-31)
5. Giancarlo Stanton, $325,000,000 (2015-27)
6. Christian Yelich, $215,000,000 (2020-28)
7. Julio Rodriguez, $209,300,000 (2023-34)
8. Jason Heyward, $184,000,000 (2016-23)
9. Kris Bryant, $182,000,000 (2022-28)
10. Brandon Nimmo, $162,000,000 (2023-30)
T-11. Manny Ramirez, $160,000,000 (2001-08)
T-11. Matt Kemp, $160,000,000 (2012-19)
13. Jacoby Ellsbury, $153,000,000 (2014-20)
14. George Springer, $150,000,000 (2021-26)
15. Mike Trout, $144,500,000 (2015-20)
16. Carl Crawford, $142,000,000 (2011-17)
17. Alfonso Soriano, $136,000,000 (2007-14)
18. Justin Upton, $132,750,000 (2016-21)
19. Shin-Soo Choo, $130,000,000 (2014-20)
T-20. Vernon Wells, $126,000,000 (2008-14)
T-21. Jayson Werth, $126,000,000 (2011-17)
22. Josh Hamilton, $125,000,000 (2013-17)
23. Matt Holliday, $120,000,000 (2010-16)
24. Carlos Beltran, $119,000,000 (2005-11)
25. Ken Griffey Jr., $116,500,000 (2000-08)
Source: USA TODAY Sports, Cot's Baseball Contracts
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest-paid MLB outfielder: Biggest OF salaries for 2023 season