Below is our list of the 29 largest contracts in MLB history by average annual value (AAV). Please note that if a player was already under contract and signed an extension, only the new money counts. For our list of the largest contracts in total dollars, click here.
1. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers: $70,000,000. Free agent contract signed December 2023. 97.1% of the total is deferred from 2034-43. As a result, for luxury tax purposes, MLB calculated the AAV at $46.06MM. The MLBPA calculated the AAV at $43,783,056.30.
2. Juan Soto, Mets: $51,000,000. Free agent contract signed December 2024. Given the lack of deferred money, this should be treated as the true AAV record.
3. Max Scherzer, Mets: $43,333,333.33. Free agent contract signed November 2021
4. Justin Verlander, Mets: $43,330,000. Free agent contract signed December 2022
5. Zack Wheeler, Phillies: $42,000,000. Extension signed March 2024
6. Aaron Judge, Yankees: $40,000,000. Free agent contract signed December 2022
7. Jacob deGrom, Rangers: $37,000,000. Free agent contract signed December 2022
8. Blake Snell, Dodgers: $36,400,000. Free agent contract signed November 2024. Considering deferrals, the MLBPA calculated the AAV as $31,735,498
t-9. Mike Trout, Angels: $36,000,000. Extension signed March 2019
t-9. Gerrit Cole, Yankees: $36,000,000. Free agent contract signed December 2019
11. Carlos Correa, Twins: $35,100,000. Free agent contract signed March 2022
t-12. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals: $35,000,000. Free agent contract signed December 2019
t-12. Anthony Rendon, Angels: $35,000,000. Free agent contract signed December 2019
14. Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks: $34,416,667. Free agent contract signed December 2015
15. Francisco Lindor, Mets: $34.1MM. Extension signed March 2021
16. Trevor Bauer, Dodgers: $34,000,000. Free agent contract signed February 2021
17. Nolan Arenado, Rockies: $33,428,571. Extension signed February 2019
18. Carlos Correa, Twins: $33,333,333.33. Free agent contract signed January 2023
19. Justin Verlander, Astros: $33,000,000. Extension signed March 2019
20. Corey Seager, Rangers: $32,500,000. Free agent contract signed November 2021
21. Rafael Devers, Red Sox: $31,350,000. Extension signed January 2023
t-22. Blake Snell, Giants: $31,000,000. Free agent contract signed March 2024. Considering deferrals, the MLBPA calculated the AAV as $29,698,347
t-22. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: $31,000,000. Extension signed March 2014
t-22. David Price, Red Sox: $31,000,000. Free agent contract signed December 2015
t-22. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: $31,000,000. Extension signed November 2018
26. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: $30,714,286. Extension signed January 2014
27. Mookie Betts, Dodgers: $30,416,667. Extension signed July 2020
28. Jacob deGrom, Mets: $30,125,000. Extension signed March 2019
t-29. Manny Machado, Padres: $30,000,000. Free agent contract signed February 2019
t-29. Max Scherzer, Nationals: $30,000,000. Free agent contract signed January 2015. Counted as $28,689,376 for purposes of luxury tax.
