What are the biggest MLB contracts for the 2024 season?

With the 2024 Major League season rapidly approaching, it’s always interesting to take a closer look at the jaw-dropping salaries earned by the very best players in the MLB. Such an analysis is especially important this year, given that Shohei Ohtani recently made history by signing a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a whopping $700 million.

To help paint a clearer picture of the most expensive contracts in MLB for the upcoming season, we’ve carefully considered each player’s base salary, using data from Spotrac to compile this comprehensive list.

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers, $70,000,000

The Japanese player’s base salary is $70 million for the next Major League season, but he has decided to defer it so that the Dodgers can improve their roster. For this reason, Ohtani will only receive $2 million in 2024.

Max Scherzer, Texas Rangers, $43,333,334

In 2021, Scherzer signed a three-year contract with the New York Mets worth $130 million. He was later traded in mid-2023 and is now in the final season of the agreement. Scherzer is a right-handed pitcher who has accepted his player option for 2024, entitling him to $43.3 million. He also has various incentives, including a $200,000 bonus if he is named the National League MVP during the regular season.

Justin Verlander, Houston Astros, $43,333,333

Last year, Justin Verlander joined the New York Mets on a two-year contract worth $86.6 million. However, he returned to the Houston Astros after playing only half a season. Now, at the age of 41, the three-time Cy Young winner has signed a one-year deal with the Astros for $43.3 million. If he pitches 140 complete innings in 2024, he will get to play the 2025 season in exchange for $35 million.

Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers, $40,000,000

One of the highest-paid players on the Rangers team, which is defending its championship, is deGrom. This 36-year-old pitcher is set to earn a base salary of $40 million in 2024 while continuing his career with the Texas team. In addition, deGrom’s contract includes $100,000 bonuses if he is named All-Star, Gold Glove, or MVP of the AL Championship Series. As a two-time Cy Young winner, such bonuses are well within his reach.

Aaron Judge, New York Yankees, $40,000,000

Aaron Judge, the towering outfielder of the New York Yankees, is poised to earn more than $40 million in 2024, a feat no non-pitcher currently has in the Big Leagues. Judge, known for his incredible power at the plate and remarkable fielding skills, inked a historic nine-year, $360 million extension in December 2020 and became one of baseball’s highest-earning players.