Top 10 Biggest MLB Contracts: The Players and their Deals
The world of professional sports is often associated with some of the most lucrative contracts in the world. Baseball being one of the most popular sports globally, it’s not surprising that the biggest MLB contracts have continued to break records over the years.
In this article, we will be discussing the biggest MLB contracts up to date, along with some of the best MLB players, the details of their contracts, and their performance records.
Mike Trout: $426.5 Million
Mike Trout’s contract is the largest MLB contract to date, worth an outstanding $426.5 million.
Trout signed a 12-year extension with the Los Angeles Angels in March 2019, which averages at $35.5 million per year. He is widely regarded as one of the best MLB players of all time, making 1,187 big-league hits with a batting average of .305.
Trout has also won three MVP awards, which is a rare accomplishment.
Mookie Betts: $365 Million
In February 2020, Mookie Betts was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox in a major deal.
As part of his trade package, Betts received a 12-year extension worth $365 million. This makes him the second player in MLB history to receive a contract over $300 million.
Betts has an impressive record as an outfielder, a tenacious fielder with four gold glove awards, and is often regarded as one of the best all-around players.
Aaron Judge: $360 Million
The New York Yankees signed Aaron Judge to the largest free-agent deal in MLB history, worth $360 million, in April 2021.
Judge is considered one of the best young stars in baseball, with an impressive performance record that includes batting .273 with 52 homers and 127 RBIs in his rookie season.
Manny Machado: $350 Million
In February 2019, Manny Machado signed a ten-year deal worth $350 million with the San Diego Padres.
Machado is an exceptional third baseman with excellent defensive skills, making him a valuable asset to the Padres. His performance record includes three seasons with a .300 batting average and four gold glove awards.
Francisco Lindor: $341 Million
In March 2021, Francisco Lindor signed a 10-year, $341 million contract extension with the New York Mets. Lindor is an All-Star shortstop, with an impressive performance record including four gold glove awards and a Silver Slugger award.
Fernando Tatis Jr.: $340 Million
Fernando Tatis Jr.’s contract with the San Diego Padres is a rookie record, with a 14-year contract worth $340 million. Tatis is an emerging star in the league, having been selected to the All-Star team twice and winning a silver slugger award in just two seasons.
Bryce Harper: $330 Million
Bryce Harper’s contract with the Philadelphia Phillies is worth $330 million over 13 years. Harper is an outfielder and has a reputation for his explosive power-hitting capabilities.
He is also a six-time all-star and won Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Giancarlo Stanton: $325 Million
In November 2014, the Miami Marlins signed Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year extension worth $325 million.
The deal made him the highest-paid player in MLB history at the time of signing. Stanton is an outfielder and considered one of the most dominant home run hitters in the league.
Corey Seager: $325 Million
The Texas Rangers signed Corey Seager to a 10-year contract worth $325 million in December 2021. Seager is regarded as one of the best shortstops in the league, having won the Rookie of the Year award in 2016 and the World Series MVP award in 2020.
Gerrit Cole: $324 Million
Gerrit Cole signed with the New York Yankees in December 2019 to a 9-year contract worth $324 million. Cole is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in the league, having led the league in strikeouts in 2019 with an outstanding 326.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the biggest MLB contracts to date are a testament to the incredible talent present in the league. The players on this list have proven themselves to be some of the most dominant and consistent performers in baseball history.
With each passing year, we can expect new records to be set as teams and players continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport. Mookie Betts’ Contract and Accomplishments
In February 2020, Mookie Betts signed a 12-year, $365 million extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This marked one of the largest contracts signed in MLB history and made Betts the highest-paid outfield player ever. Betts started his career in the Boston Red Sox organization and proved himself to be an all-star, winning four consecutive Gold Gloves from 2016-2019, and MVP award in 2018, and a Silver Slugger award in 2016.
World Series Win
Betts is known for having some of the best defensive and offensive skills in the league, and this was on full display in the 2020 World Series, in which the Los Angeles Dodgers won their first championship in 32 years. Betts was an instrumental player in this season, where he put up a .293 batting average and hit six home runs in 18 playoff games.
Moreover, Betts played some of the best defensive outfield baseball in the World Series, stealing home runs from Tampa Bay Rays hitters, and picking up amazing catches in the outfield.
Betts’s contributions were critical to the Dodgers’ success in the World Series, making him an invaluable asset to the team.
Betts was not only a valuable player on the field, but he was also known for his leadership abilities, having taken many of the younger Dodgers players under his wing. Aaron Judge’s Contract and Accomplishments
In April 2021, the New York Yankees announced the largest free-agent deal in MLB history, signing Aaron Judge to a nine-year contract worth $360 million.
The terms of this contract make Judge the highest-paid position player in baseball, proving just how valuable his skillset is to the Yankees. Judge is known for being a 6’7″ slugging powerhouse with an incredible skill set to hit home runs.
Career Accomplishments
Since joining the Yankees in 2016, Judge has quickly made a name for himself in the league. In his rookie season, he hit 52 home runs and broke Joe DiMaggio’s record for most home runs by a Yankees rookie in a single season.
In 2017, Judge was named the American League Rookie of the Year and made the All-Star team, further cementing his place as one of the most exciting young players in the league.
Aside from his impressive power hitting, Judge has proven himself to be an excellent defender, with a cannon arm in right field.
He frequently makes difficult catches look easy and has a great ability to read the ball off the bat. Despite his incredible talent and many accolades in the league, Judge has suffered multiple injuries throughout his career.
The Yankees are hoping that with this new contract, Judge will be able to stay healthy and play at his highest level for years to come.
In conclusion, Mookie Betts and Aaron Judge are two of the most exciting and valuable players in baseball.
They have both proven themselves to be some of the best players in the league, and their respective teams were willing to invest large sums of money to keep them. With these two players on their teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees respectively, have the potential to be dominant forces in the league for years to come.
Manny Machado’s Contract and Career
In February 2019, Manny Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres. The contract was one of the largest in MLB history at the time, and it made Machado one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Machado has lived up to the expectations of his contract with the Padres, providing consistent performance in both offense and defense.
Career Details
Machado began his career in the Baltimore Orioles organization in 2012, and he quickly became one of the most exciting young talents in baseball. In his first full season in the majors in 2013, he hit .283 with 14 home runs and 71 RBI’s all the while playing as a third baseman.
His career statistics are impressive, with 1,596 hits, 283 homers, a .279 batting average, and 320 doubles. Machado is an elite defensive player, having won four of the five Gold Glove Awards he has been nominated for.
With his great performance, Machado became sought after by many big-market teams, and he eventually signed with the Padres, who were looking to build a team that could compete for a championship. He has since become a cornerstone of the Padres franchise, and he has helped the team to become one of the top contenders in the National League.
Francisco Lindor’s Contract and Trade
In March 2021, Francisco Lindor signed a 10-year, $341 million contract extension with the New York Mets. The former Cleveland Indians shortstop is considered one of the best players in the league, with incredible defense and skills at the plate.
The deal made him the sixth player in MLB history to sign a contract worth over $300 million.
Trade Details
Lindor was traded to the Mets in a blockbuster trade in January 2021 that sent four players to Cleveland. The Mets sent shortstop Amed Rosario and pitching prospect Josh Wolf to Cleveland along with outfield prospect Isaiah Greene and infielder Andres Gimenez.
Lindor became the face of the Mets franchise instantly and was expected to bring his exceptional performance and leadership to the team. Lindor was initially selected by the Cleveland Indians in the eighth round of the 2011 MLB draft and made his major league debut in 2015, winning a Gold Glove award in his rookie season.
Lindor is known for his incredible defensive abilities, charismatic leadership style, and consistent hitting performance. He has won four consecutive Gold Gloves and four All-Star selections, while also receiving MVP votes in four seasons.
The Mets are hoping that Lindor can help lead the team to success and finally bring a championship back to New York. Despite having a slow start to the 2021 season, Lindor’s reputation and skill set make him one of the most valuable players in the league, and he is expected to be one of the most significant contributors to the Mets success in the coming years.
In conclusion, Manny Machado and Francisco Lindor are two of the most exciting and talented players in the league. They have both signed massive contracts with their respective teams, adding to their status as some of the highest-paid players in the league.
Machado has already proven himself to be an excellent addition to the San Diego Padres, while Lindor is only beginning his tenure with the New York Mets. With these two players on their teams, both the Padres and Mets have the potential to be dominant forces in the league for years to come.
Fernando Tatis Jr.’s Contract, Violation, and Suspension
In February 2021, Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension with the San Diego Padres, becoming the third player in MLB history to sign a contract worth over $300 million. Tatis Jr. was only 22 years old and had already established himself as one of the top young talents in the league.
Contract Details
Tatis Jr. had a breakout season in 2019, where he hit .317 with 22 home runs in just 84 games. He followed that up with another excellent season in 2020, where he hit .277 with 17 home runs in just 59 games.
Tatis Jr. is known for his incredible athleticism, speed, and power hitting ability, which makes him one of the most exciting players to watch in the league.
Violation and Suspension
Unfortunately, Tatis Jr. was recently involved in a controversy when he violated the MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Tatis Jr. was found to have tested positive for a banned substance, and he was subsequently suspended for 80 games, which is equivalent to half a season, in July 2021.
This news came as a shock to many in the league, as Tatis Jr. has always been considered a clean player and a role model for younger fans. The suspension will cost Tatis Jr. roughly $2.5 million in lost salary, and he will not be eligible to return to the field until mid-September.
Despite the suspension, Tatis Jr.’s future with the Padres is secure, as the team has invested heavily in him and sees him as a cornerstone of the franchise for many years to come. Bryce Harper’s Contract and Career
In March 2019, Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, making him one of the highest-paid players in MLB history.
Harper was a former number one overall pick and had already established himself as one of the best hitters in the league during his time with the Washington Nationals.
Contract Details
The contract was a massive undertaking for the Phillies, who were hoping that Harper’s offensive prowess would help them compete for a championship. Harper is known for his power-hitting ability, which has led to an impressive career that includes 285 home runs and 1,379 hits.
Career Details
Harper has played the vast majority of his career as an outfielder and has won a Gold Glove award for his exceptional defensive abilities. Harper has also been selected to six All-Star teams, won Rookie of the Year in 2012, and was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2015 – all signs of a stellar career that spanned a decade.
Despite his impressive resume, Harper has faced some criticism for his performance with the Phillies. While he has had some strong seasons since his arrival, Harper has not yet led the Phillies to the playoffs, which was a significant goal when he was signed.
Despite this, Harper remains an important player for the Phillies and is expected to be a significant contributor to the team’s success in the future. In conclusion, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Bryce Harper are two of the most talented and exciting players in the league, with massive contracts that reflect their skill and potential.
Both players have established themselves as top performers in the league, with Tatis Jr. being one of the youngest players ever to sign a contract worth over $300 million and Harper being one of the most recognizable names in the game.