In today’s Major League Baseball (MLB), the demand for top-tier pitching talent has never been more lucrative, as evident in the significant salaries commanded by elite pitchers. Currently, four out of the top five highest-paid players in the MLB are pitchers, underscoring the premium placed on outstanding pitching performances. This trend is expected to persist and even escalate in the years to come as teams prioritize acquiring skilled pitchers who can deliver strong and extended starts, a rarity in an era where making it through six innings is often considered a notable achievement.
Taking a closer look at the highest-paid starting pitchers in the MLB:
1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers, $700 million over 10 years: Ohtani’s contract stands out due to its uniqueness. As both an elite hitter and a stellar pitcher, Ohtani’s deal includes a significant deferred amount of $680 million, spreading across the post-playing term. Despite technically receiving $2 million per year over the next decade, the eye-catching $700 million figure remains unmatched.
2. Max Scherzer, Texas Rangers, $130 million over 3 years: Affectionately known as Mad Max, the 39-year-old pitcher, with an impressive career featuring three Cy Young Awards and nine All-Star Game nods, signed a short-term megadeal with the New York Mets before being traded to the Texas Rangers during the 2023 season. Despite recent back surgery, Scherzer is anticipated to rejoin the defending champions midway through the upcoming season.
3. Justin Verlander, Houston Astros, $86.67 million over 2 years: Similar to Scherzer, Verlander inked a megadeal approaching $43.3 million per year with the Mets before his mid-2023 trade to the Astros. His contract includes a 2025 option worth $35 million, contingent on reaching 140 innings pitched in the current season.
4. **Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees, $324 million over 9 years:** The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, Cole, secured his place in the Yankees through a free agency deal before the 2020 season. Notably, his contract features an opt-out clause after the 2024 season, with the possibility of the Yankees opting back in for a tenth year at $36 million, potentially elevating the total worth to $360 million.
5. Yoshinobo Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers, $325 million over 12 years: Despite having yet to pitch in the MLB, Yamamoto’s signing this offseason by the Dodgers, coupled with a posting fee of around $50 million, makes him one of the highest-paid pitchers in the game.
6. Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers, $185 million over 5 years: Formerly with the Mets, deGrom moved to Texas in free agency in 2023. Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery early in the season, he is expected to return alongside Scherzer in midsummer 2024.
7. Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers, $135 million over 5 years: The Dodgers acquired Glasnow in a trade with the Rays, surprising some in the MLB world due to his injury-prone history. Nevertheless, the Dodgers seem confident in their investment, signing him to an extension with a team option for 2029.
8. Carlos Rodón, New York Yankees, $162 million over 6 years: Racking up impressive ERAs in the years leading to free agency, Rodón secured a substantial payday. However, his first season with the Yankees was hampered by injuries, showcasing timing’s impact on a player’s value.
9. Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies, $172 million over 7 years: Nola opted for a contract extension with the Phillies, ensuring his presence in Philadelphia until the age of 37.
10. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies, $118 million over 5 years: Unlike most on this list, Wheeler is set to enter free agency after the 2024 season. His strong 2023 performance, including a sixth-place finish in Cy Young voting and a Gold Glove, positions him favorably for potential future negotiations.
In conclusion, the exorbitant salaries of these pitchers underscore the heightened value placed on exceptional pitching talent in today’s MLB landscape, signaling a continuing trend of substantial financial investments in top-tier pitchers.
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