Here is a list of the 29 largest contracts in MLB history By average annual value (AAV). Please note that only new money will be valid if the player is already under contract and signs an extension. For a list of contracts with the largest total amounts, please click here.
1. Shohei OhtaniDodgers: $70,000,000. The free agent contract is signed in December 2023. Therefore, MLB’s calculated AAV for luxury tax purposes is $46.06MM. The MLBPA calculated the AAV to be $43,783,056.30.
2. Juan SotoMetropolitan: $51,000,000. The free agent contract is signed in December 2024.
3. Max ScherzerMets: $43,333,333.33. Free agent contract signed in November 2021
4. Justin VerlanderMetropolitan: $43,330,000. Free agent contract signed in December 2022
5.Zach WheelerPhiladelphia: $42,000,000. Extension signed in March 2024
6. Aaron JudgeYankees: $40,000,000. Free agent contract signed in December 2022
7. Jacob deGromRangers: $37,000,000. Free agent contract signed in December 2022
8. Blake SnellDodgers: $36,400,000. Free agent contract is signed in November 2024.
t-9. Mike TroutAngels: $36,000,000. Extension signed in March 2019
t-9. Gerrit ColeYankees: $36,000,000. Signed a free agent contract in December 2019
11. Carlos CorreaTwins: $35,100,000. Free agent contract signed in March 2022
t-12. Stephen StrasbergNational: $35,000,000. Signed a free agent contract in December 2019
t-12. Anthony RendonAngels: $35,000,000. Signed a free agent contract in December 2019
14. Zach GreinkeDiamondbacks: $34,416,667. Signed a free agent contract in December 2015
15. Francisco LindorMets: $34.1MM. Extension signed in March 2021
16. Trevor BauerDodgers: $34,000,000. Free agent contract signed in February 2021
17. Nolan ArenadoRockies: $33,428,571. Extension signed in February 2019
18. Carlos CorreaTwins: $33,333,333.33. Free agent contract signed in January 2023
19. Justin VerlanderAstros: $33,000,000. Extension signed in March 2019
20. Corey SeagerRangers: $32,500,000. Free agent contract signed in November 2021
21.Raphael DeversRed Sox: $31,350,000. Extension signed January 2023
t-22. Blake SnellGiants: $31,000,000. The free agent contract is signed in March 2024. MLBPA calculation AAV is $29,698,347
t-22. Miguel CabreraTiger: $31,000,000. Extension signed in March 2014
t-22. David PriceRed Sox: $31,000,000. Signed a free agent contract in December 2015
t-22. Clayton KershawDodgers: $31,000,000. Extension signed in November 2018
26. Clayton KershawDodgers: $30,714,286. Extension signed in January 2014
27. Mookie BatesDodgers: $30,416,667. Extension signed in July 2020
28. Jacob deGromMets: $30,125,000. Extension signed in March 2019
t-29. Manny MachadoPadres: $30,000,000. Signed a free agent contract in February 2019
t-29. Max ScherzerNational: $30,000,000. Signed a free agent contract in January 2015.
