Who is the highest-paid pitcher in MLB? Two big names are atop list.
Max Scherzer, 39, and Justin Verlander, 41, once again share something in common.
The two former Cy Young winners will each earn $43.3 million again this season are spending time as teammates for part of 2023. Scherzer and Verlander had signed similar deals and were part of the New York Mets' starting rotation last season, only to be dealt at the trade deadline.
Scherzer was traded to the Texas Rangers, who went on to win the World Series. Verlander was traded back to the Houston Astros where he'd won two World Series titles.
Of note, Shohei Ohtani's $70 million salary is not listed among the top starting pitchers because he is not expected to pitch this season. He is still recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery.
Edwin Díaz, the New York Mets' All-Star closer, signed the richest contract in baseball history for a relief pitcher − a five-year, $102 million deal − before he got injured during the World Baseball Classic last season.
This offseason, Josh Hader signed a five-year, $95 million deal with the Houston Astros. Hader’s deal can be considered the most lucrative for a relief pitcher, even while falling short of the total dollars in Díaz’s $102 million contract that began last year. Díaz’s deal includes $26.5 million in deferred payments he won’t completely receive until 2042 and was valued at $93.2 million for baseball’s luxury tax and $88.8 million by the players’ association.
Who are the highest-paid pitchers in MLB for 2024 season?
Here's the top 25:
t-1. Justin Verlander, Astros − $43,333,333
t-1. Max Scherzer, Rangers − $43,333,333
3. Jacob deGrom, Rangers − $40,000,000
4. Gerrit Cole, Yankees − $36,000,000
5. Patrick Corbin, Nationals − $34,556,200
6. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals − $32,811,200
7. Blake Snell, Giants − $32,000,000
8. Carlos Rodón, Yankees − $27,833,333
9. Aaron Nola, Phillies − $24,571,429
10. Luis Castillo, Mariners − $24,150,000
11. Zack Wheeler, Phillies − $23,500,000
12. Robbie Ray, Giants − $23,000,000
t-13. Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays − $22,000,000
t-13. Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays − $22,000,000
t-15. Charlie Morton, Braves − $20,000,000
t-15. Joe Musgrove, Padres − $20,000,000
17. Josh Hader, Astros − $19,000,000
18. Marcus Stroman, Yankees − $18,500,000
19. Edwin Díaz, Mets − $18,256,300
t-20. José Berríos, Blue Jays − $18,000,000
t-20. Jameson Taillon, Cubs − $18,000,000
t-20. Taijuan Walker, Phillies − $18,000,000
t-20. Lucas Giolito, Red Sox − $18,000,000
24. Lance McCullers Jr., Astros − $17,700,000
25. Miles Mikolas, Cardinals − $17,666,667
Highest-paid MLB starting pitchers in 2024
Here's the top 10:
t-1. Justin Verlander, Astros − $43,333,333
t-1. Max Scherzer, Rangers − $43,333,333
3. Jacob deGrom, Rangers − $40,000,000
4. Gerrit Cole, Yankees − $36,000,000
5. Patrick Corbin, Nationals − $34,556,200
6. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals − $32,811,200
7. Blake Snell, Giants − $32,000,000
8. Carlos Rodón, Yankees − $27,833,333
9. Aaron Nola, Phillies − $24,571,429
10. Luis Castillo, Mariners − $24,150,000
Highest-paid MLB relief pitchers in 2024
Here's the top 5
1. Josh Hader, Astros − $19,000,000
2, Edwin Díaz, Mets − $18,256,300
t-3. Raisel Iglesias, Braves − $16,000,000
t-3. Kenley Jansen, Red Sox − $16,000,000
5 Craig Kimbrel, Orioles − $12,000,000
Who is highest-paid MLB player at each position in 2024?
Catcher: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies − $23.9 million
First basemen: Kris Bryant, Rockies − $28.0 million
Second basemen: José Altuve, Astros − $29.0 million
Shortstop: Corey Seager, Rangers − $35 million
Third basemen: Anthony Rendon, Angels − $38.6 million
Center fielder: Aaron Judge, Yankees − $40 million
Left fielder: Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers − $23.5 million
Right fielder: Juan Soto, Yankees − $31.1 million
Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers − $70 million
Starting pitchers: Max Scherzer, Rangers and Justin Verlander, Astros − $43.3 million
Relief pitcher: Josh Hader, Astros − $19.0 million
Top 10 highest-paid at each position
1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | C | DH | P
Source: USA TODAY Sports, Cot's Baseball Contracts
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest-paid MLB pitchers: Top salaries for starting, relief pitchers
