What are the largest free-agent contracts in the history of MLB?

It’s interesting to observe that some of the highest-paid athletes in the world have been baseball players. If you look at some of the biggest contracts in baseball history, you’ll notice that many of these players have earned more than athletes in any other American sport. This only emphasizes the worldwide popularity of the game.

From A-Rod to Ohtani: Top 20 biggest MLB contracts

Just over two decades ago, Alex Rodriguez joined the Texas Rangers for a then-record $252 million that was to be spread across 10 years. In 2008, Rodriguez would break his record when he joined the New York Yankees for $275 million. Now, while the former Yankees star’s contract is still among the top 20 in MLB history, it’s worth noting that the jump between his two contracts was not massive. However, if we jump forward another decade, the difference becomes immense. If you take a look below for perspective, it’s eye-opening.

Consider that in 2019 - 11 years after Rodriguez put pen to paper - Mike Trout signed with the Los Angeles Angels for an incredible $426,500,000 to be allocated over 12 years. While many factors are responsible for the more than significant bump in pay, it’s truly something to see how top-tier contracts in the game today are essentially double what they were up until a decade ago. With that, we will break down who has secured the biggest deals in MLB history and what the figures are like. Let’s go!

1. Dodgers - Shohei Ohtani (2WAY): $700,000,000

2. Angels - Mike Trout (OF): $426,500,000

*This is not only the second largest contract in North American sports behind Patrick Mahomes’ $450 million, but also sits at No. 5 - Mahomes is No. 3 - on the global list behind the likes of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi.

3. Dodgers - Mookie Betts (OF): $365,000,000

4. Yankees - Aaron Judge (OF): $360,000,000

5. Padres - Manny Machado (3B): $350,000,000

6. Mets - Francisco Lindor (SS): $341,000,000

7. Padres - Fernando Tatis Jr. (OF/SS): $340,000,000

8. Phillies - Bryce Harper (OF): $330,000,000

*This deal previously held the record for the largest contract in MLB history before being surpassed by Mike Trout first and then by Shohei Ohtani.*

t-9. Rangers - Corey Seager (SS): $325,000,000

*Seager’s contract is the largest ever signed by an MLB free agent.*

t-9. Yankees OF/DH Giancarlo Stanton: $325,000,000

10. Yankees - Gerrit Cole (SP): $324,000,000

*This is the largest contract for a pitcher in MLB history*

11. Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers: $313,500,000

12. Phillies SS Trea Turner: $300,000,000

13. Padres SS Xander Bogaerts: $280,000,000

14. Yankees 3B/SS Alex Rodriguez: $275,000,000

15. Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenado: $260,000,000

16. Rangers SS Alex Rodriguez: $252,000,000

17. Tigers DH Miguel Cabrera: $248,000,000

t-18. Nationals SP Stephen Strasburg: $245,000,000

t-18. Angels 3B Anthony Rendon: $245,000,000

t-20. 1B/DH Albert Pujols: $240,000,000

t-20. 2B/DH Robinson Canó: $240,000,000