Baseball is America’s pastime, which makes it very hard to miss out on a good ol’ baseball game from time to time. Did you know that some of these baseball players make tens of millions of dollars per year? Baseball, unlike the other three major sports in the United States, does not have a salary cap. Teams can go crazy paying players on multi-year and multi-million dollar deals.
With that said, we compile the top 10 highest-paid players in the majors this year. Read on and see whether these players are worth their price tags. For more on the highest-paid players in all of sports, check out our top 10 highest-paid NFL players in 2016.
MLB World Series News and Previews
- Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins Preview –August 17, 2017
- Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays – August 17, 2017
- Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers Betting Preview – August 17, 2017
Baseball’s Top 10 Highest-Paid Players in 2016
10. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies – $25.6 Million
9. CC Sabathia, New York Yankees – $25.7 Million
CC Sabathia was once an ace to be feared. He’s no longer that good, but he still fetches quite a price at $25.7 million this year. The Yankees have the means to pay him, but do not really benefit from his services all that much these days. He’s on the 15-day DL and has gone just 2-2 with a 3.81 ERA in five starts this year—pretty bad numbers for a guy that expensive.
8. Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers – $26.2 Million
Josh Hamilton is worth $26.2 million dollars to the Texas Rangers. While the Rangers aren’t missing him too much this season, it’s still a shame that a player as good as he is is on the 60-day DL. He even played just 50 games last season despite costing so much money.
7. Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners – $27 Million
If there’s one player who’s giving his team bang for the buck, it’s Robinson Cano. Playing for the Seattle Mariners, he struggled greatly to start the season. But he’s kicked into gear recently now hitting .307 with 12 homers. As of the moment, he’s looking mighty worthy of his $27 million for 2016.
6. Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels – $27 Million
Albert Pujols costs $27 million, but is hitting a horrendous .183 this season for the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels are currently 18th in team batting average and 20th in on base percentage. They need their heavy hitter back pronto. Pujols has not been on a downward trend in recent years with a batting average of .272 in 2014, .244 in 2015 and .190 in 2016. Luckily, the Angels have Mike Trout who isn’t as expensive at just over $6 million.
5. Yoenis Cespedes, New York Mets – $28.1 Million
Yoenis Cespedes is a slugger. He’s hitting .291 (second on the team) and has 11 homers and 31 RBIs. He’s the New York Mets’ premier hitter this season. He’s making the Mets feel mighty good about giving him $28.1 million this year. They’ll be hoping that Cespedes continues his great run as the Mets look to go on another deep playoff run this year.
4. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers – $28.6 Million
Oh how the mighty has fallen. Justin Verlander is no longer the ace he was just a few years ago. The Verlander of today has gone 2-3 with a 5.40 ERA in seven starts. He’s taking a pounding against some teams in the majors. But he’s still taking in $28.6 million this year. While the Tigers won’t benefit from paying the ace that much, at least Verlander is comfortable knowing that he can afford a lavish wedding with super model fiancé Kate Upton.
3. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers – $30 Million
Miguel Cabrera is another Detroit Tiger who has a pretty high price tag. He’s set to make $30 million this year as the team’s first baseman. Unlike Verlander, Cabrera actually has the stats to show his worth. He’s one of the better hitters on the team with a .298 batting average.
2. David Price – $30.5 Million
The Boston Red Sox thought they had a bargain nabbing David Price in free agency. He was given a record seven-year deal worth $217 million. It’s one of the richest ever contracts for a pitcher in the majors. The joke’s on the Red Sox, though.
Price is looking more like a minor leaguer than an ace at this point in time. He has a horrible 6.75 ERA despite a 4-1 record in seven starts. He’s even given up six earned runs in each of his last two games. Oh Boston, what were you thinking?
1. Clayton Kershaw – $32.8 Million
Unlike the other expensive pitchers on this list, Clayton Kershaw actually has the stats to back up his 2016 season-high $32.8 million price tag. He’s the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace with a 4-1 record and a 2.04 ERA. He’s gotten into a habit of causing opposing batters to whiff on his pitches with double digit strikeouts in each of his last four starts.
Kershaw has plenty of accolades to justify his salary. He was the NL MVP in 2014, the NL Cy Young Award winner in 2014, 2013 and 2011. He’s also won the Golden Glove and Roberto Clemente awards in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Kershaw’s worth every cent of his $32.8 million.
Wanna win big money yourself? Create a betting account now and cash in on MLB.
