<p>Although baseball may be under-appreciated Down Under, in America it is one of the most popular and lucrative sports around.</p> <p>There’s a reason every kid over there plays Little League every Sunday. If you can rise above the masses and make it to the very top of the game, you stand to make serious amounts of coin.</p> <p>Just ask this lot – the top 15 highest paid players in baseball. These guys put the money in Moneyball.</p> <p>From Shortstops to Outfielders to Designated Hitters, if you excel at a particular position in the MLB there is plenty of money on offer for your services.</p> <p>The highest paid MLB player at the moment might be common knowledge after their record-breaking deal, but what about the rest of the top earners?</p> <p>Let’s take a look, shall we? Here are the top 15 highest paid baseball players in 2024.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>15. Carlos Correa – $33.3 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Minnesota Twins – Shortstop (Age 29)</strong></em></p> <p>The first of many Shortstops to appear on Baseball’s rich list is Minnesota’s Carlos Correa.</p> <p>He re-signed with the Twins in January 2023 on a bumper six-year contract that sees him net north of $30 million annually.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>14. Francisco Lindor – $34 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>New York Mets – Shortstop (Age 30)</strong></em></p> <p>Nicknamed “Mr. Smile”, Francisco Lindor has 34 million reasons to smile every year. A four-time All-Star, it’s not hard to see why the New York Mets fork out so much every year for his services at Shortstop.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>13. Corey Seager – $35 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Texas Rangers – Shortstop (Age 29)</strong></em></p> <p>Yep, another Shortstop. This time it’s Texas Ranger Corey Seager. He’s at the start of a mammoth 10-year contract and coming off his second World Series MVP.</p> <p>He is only the 4th player in history to win the World Series MVP twice, more than justifying the length and amount of his Rangers’ contract.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>12. Nolan Arenado – $35 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>St. Louis Cardinals – Third Baseman (Age 32)</strong></em></p> <p>Widely considered to be one of the best Third Basemen currently playing in the MLB and compensated as such, is St Louis’ Nolan Arenado.</p> <p>Elite both offensively and defensively, Arenado’s versatility is what makes him so valuable. A seasoned slugger and ferocious fielder, there’s a reason the Cardinal’s were more than happy to break the bank to add him to their roster.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>11. Stephen Strasburg – $35 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Washington Nationals – Pitcher (Age 35)</strong></em></p> <p>The first Pitcher to appear on this list of the highest paid players in baseball, is Stephen Strasburg.</p> <p>He was dubbed “the most-hyped draft pick in history” before he entered the league and somehow managed to live up to the hype.</p> <p>His current baseball resume includes three All-Star selections, a World Series, World Series MVP, and an annual salary of approximately $35 million.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>10. Patrick Corbin – $35.4 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Washington Nationals – Pitcher (Age 34)</strong></em></p> <p>Turns out the Washington Nationals really value high quality Pitchers. As well as having Stephen Strasburg on their books, they also have Patrick Corbin, who they pay slightly more. He too was part of the Nationals side that won the 2019 World Series.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>9. Gerrit Cole – $36 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>New York Yankees – Starting Pitcher (Age 33)</strong></em></p> <p>The nine-year, $324 million contract Gerrit Cole signed at the end of 2019 made history for both the Yankees and MLB Pitchers.</p> <p>It became a franchise record for the New York-based side, as well as becoming the largest contract ever signed by a Pitcher in the MLB.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>8. Mike Trout – $37.1 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Los Angeles Angels – Center Fielder (Age 32)</strong></em></p> <p>There’s nothing fishy about Mike Trout. He’s an elite Center Fielder and don’t the Los Angeles Angels know it.</p> <p>They pay him an annual salary of just over $37 million and have done so since 2019, when he re-signed with the franchise on a 12-year $426 million deal, which at the time was the most lucrative in the history of North American sports.</p> <h2>&nbsp;</h2> <h2>7. Anthony Rendon – $38.5 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Los Angeles Angels – Third Baseman (Age 33)</strong></em></p> <p>It turns out the Los Angeles Angels have a lot of money to throw around. Anthony Rendon is not the first, nor the last Angel to appear inside the top 10 of this Baseball rich list.</p> <p>After winning the World Series with the Nationals in 2019, he jumped ship to LA on a seven-year contract which sees him net $38.5 million a season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>6. Aaron Judge – $40 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>New York Yankees – Outfielder (Age 31)</strong></em></p> <p>One of the biggest and best outfielders in the business, New York Yankees’ Outfielder Aaron Judge is also one of the highest paid.</p> <p>Judge has played for the Yankees for the entirety of his MLB career and in 2022 he broke the American League record for the most home runs in a season, when he hit 62.</p> <p>So, is Aaron worth $40 million a year? We’ll let you be the judge of that.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>5. Jacob deGrom – $40 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Texas Rangers – Pitcher (Age 35)</strong></em></p> <p>Strikeout specialist Jacob deGrom has thrown himself to a sizeable payday courtesy of the Texas Rangers.</p> <p>The four-time All-Star and former National League Rookie of the Year left the Mets for the Rangers in 2023 on a five-year deal that sees him take home $40 million annually.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>4. Justin Verlander – $43 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Houston Astros – Pitcher (Age 41)</strong></em></p> <p>The first player on the “highest paid players in Baseball” podium is Houston Pitcher Justin Verlander.</p> <p>Elite Pitchers are worth their weight in gold and Verlander is one of the best to ever throw a ball.</p> <p>A nine-time All-Star, two-time World Champion, American League MVP and Rookie of the Year, as well as over 3,300 strikeouts. It’s not hard to see why the Astros part with $43 million a year for his services.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>3. Max Scherzer – $43 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Texas Rangers – Pitcher (Age 39)</strong></em></p> <p>Pitching his way into number two on the list of the top 15 highest paid players in Baseball is veteran Max Scherzer.</p> <p>Known as “Mad Max” for his intensity and ferocious competitiveness on the field, he’ll certainly be able to afford anger management classes when he retires.</p> <p>The Texas Rangers pay Scherzer $43 million a year, and for a player that has achieved nearly everything in the game and is the active strike leader in the MLB, it’s safe to say he is worth every penny.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>2. Shohei Ohtani – $70 million</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Contract - $700 Million - 20 Years&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Los Angeles Dodgers – Pitcher/Designated Hitter (Age 29)</strong></p> <p>Introducing the ex- highest paid player in Baseball – Shohei Ohtani. Japanese sensation Ohtani’s mega contract not only dwarfs everyone else on this list, but also every other athlete on the planet.</p> <p>He currently sits second on this list, as well as the list of the biggest contracts in the history of sport.</p> <p>A once in a generation talent who is now collecting a once in a generation pay packet courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers.</p> <p>He has already drawn comparisons to the legendary Babe Ruth and his elite contributions as both a hitter and a pitcher has seen him become the highest paid player in Baseball history.</p> <p>The Dodgers have forked out $700 million over 10 years to pry him away from cross-town rivals the Angels, with few doubting it will be money well spent. Effectively Ohtani costs the same as two elite players combined, which makes sense as his two-way abilities as a hitter and pitcher place him in a unique bracket.</p> <p>A jack of all trades and a master of them too, it’s not hard to see why Shohei Ohtani used to be the highest paid Baseball player… before the next man took the mantle for his own.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>1. Juan Soto&nbsp;</h2> <p><strong>Contract - $750 Million - 15 Years&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>New York Mets – Left Fielder (Age 26)</strong></p> <p>Introducing the highest-paid player in Baseball – Juan Soto. The Dominican superstar’s record-breaking contract has set a new benchmark in sports history.</p> <p>Soto now leads the list of the biggest contracts ever seen, solidifying his place as one of the most valuable athletes on the planet.</p> <p>A generational talent with an unmatched combination of power, discipline, and clutch performances, Soto’s new deal cements his status as a cornerstone of the game.</p> <p>The New York Mets have secured his services for a jaw-dropping $750 million over 15 years, ensuring his long-term future with the franchise. With this mega-deal, Soto's value transcends mere statistics, as his ability to transform an offense makes him worth every penny.</p> <p>A batting prodigy with an unparalleled eye at the plate, Soto’s rise to the top has been meteoric, and his payday reflects his once-in-a-generation talent. After taking a chance through turning down an eye-watering sum two years ago, his faith in himself has well and truly been repaid. There is little doubt left in anyone's mind that this mega contract is worth it, making Juan Soto the Highest Paid Baseball player in the world.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Please note that all player salaries are in USD and are approximate figures. These are current annual salaries as of 2024-25 and do not encapsulate the total duration or value of their current contracts or include off-field revenue.</em>&nbsp;<em>If this article has picked your interest you can check out the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/biggest-sporting-contracts">biggest sports contracts of all time</a> right here on the Huddle as well.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Fancy a flutter on the MLB? Check out the available markets <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/baseball/major-league-baseball">here</a> at Sportsbet.&nbsp;</p>