Did you know, the average annual Major League Baseball team salary is $160.5 million?
No, well you do now!
For the better part of the last 25-to-30-years baseball has been a game filled with big money contracts. In the past 10-to-15-years, the dollar value of baseball contracts has soared to unthinkable numbers. Case in point, the Los Angeles Dodgers just signed megastar Shohei Ohtani to a contract worth nearly a billion dollars. That’s a billion with a “B!”
Long gone are the days of 5-year/$100MM contracts for a team’s next biggest star. Now, baseball contracts can easily triple that figure. Unless, of course, you’re the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and/or Pittsburgh Pirates!
Here’s a look at the Top 10 Highest MLB Payrolls heading into the 2024 MLB regular season.
The Top 10 Highest MLB Payrolls in 2024
10. Boston Red Sox
Not all that long ago the Boston Red Sox were perennially near or at the top of this list. The Red Sox spending, or perceived lack there of by Red Sox Nation, has been the topic of discussion during the offseason. As pointed out in a recent Boston Herald article, the Red Sox have skimped heading into 2024 continuing a trend that dates back about five seasons or so. Still, under John Henry’s ownership, the Red Sox have ranked in the Top 5 of payroll in 19 of 22 seasons. That being said, the Red Sox have been lapped by teams such as the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and the hated New York Yankees.
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: 3B Rafael Devers (27) | $29.3MM
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Buried Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $155,093,181 | $24,490,000 | N/A | $180,011,667 |
9. Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs have made a jump in spending in 2024. Heading into Opening Day 2023, the Cubbies had approximately $179 million on the books. This season they will have spent about $26 million more. Chicago added 3B Jeimer Candelario and LHP Shota Imanaga in free agency.
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: SS Dansby Swanson (30) | $26MM
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Buried Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $182,860,000 | $16,550,000 | $5,510,000 | $204,920,000 |
8. Los Angeles Dodgers
Despite spending a bazillion dollars and signing the top two free agents in the 2023-24 free agency class —DH/P Shohei Ohtani and LHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto —LA comes in relatively low on the payroll front. That’s what some nifty, deferred contracts will do! Heck, their two newest superstars don’t even crack the Top 6 of team payroll! While some have knocked LA’s payment methods, the deferrals as smart business that will allow for additional flexibility and keep the club under the luxury tax threshold.
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: 2B Mookie Betts (31) | $30M
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Injured Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $210,266,666 | $2,100,000 | $7,535,000 | $219,901,666 |
7. Texas Rangers
After spending big during the 2022-23 free agency season, the 2023-24 free agency season was a quiet one for the reigning World Series Champions. The Rangers were apparently hamstrung by the drama surrounding their regional sports network, Bally Sports. The Rangers missed out on signing free agent relief pitcher Josh Hader. The right-hander discussed the Rangers’ TV situation as part of the reason why he didn’t sign with the team. Still, the Rangers have large money contracts tied to Corey Segar, Jacob deGrom, Marcus Semien, and Max Scherzer.
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: SP Jacob deGrom (36) | $40MM
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Buried Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $230,340,000 | N/A | N/A | $230,340,000 |
6. Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays made a gigantic swing for the fences in the 2023-24 free agency cycle and attempted to woo megastar Shohei Ohtani north of the border. The attempt to sign Ohtani shows Toronto’s willingness to make a push and spend big dollars to improve their club. Toronto has a good amount of money –about $70 million– tied up in older veterans for the 2024 season including SP Chris Bassitt, RF George Springer, and SP Kevin Gausman.
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: RF George Springer (34) | $24.1MM
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Buried Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $228,821,784 | $2,500,000 | N/A | $231,321,784 |
5. Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have found a way to mesh the old way of building a ballclub — i.e..: crafting a tremendous farm system– with the new way of building a ballclub — i.e..: outspending most teams. That has allowed Atlanta to continue their dominance in the National League year in and year out. Like the Texas Rangers, the Braves spent very little money this offseason but still have a good amount on the books. Unlike most teams, the Braves’ payroll is evenly spread out across a handful of key players including 3B Austin Riley, 1B Matt Olson, and RF Ronald Acuna Jr.
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: 1B Matt Olson (30) | $22MM
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Buried Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $204,325,000 | $21,700,000 | $6,000,000 | $232,095,000 |
Related: Top 10 MLB Payrolls Heading into 2024 MLB Season by 26-Man Roster
4. Philadelphia Phillies
Other than re-signing SP Aaron Nola to a 7-year/$172MM contract, the Philadelphia Phillies have had a quiet offseason after making a lot of noise over the past few years. Like the Braves, the Phillies have a ton of key players signed to team friendly deals that will allow for additional flexibility to add free agents and/or make trades during the 2024 MLB season.
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: 1B/DH Bryce Harper (31) | $27.5MM
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Buried Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $239,812,617 | $1,000,000 | N/A | $240,812.617 |
3. Houston Astros
The Houston Astros made two major moves during the 2023-24 free agency cycle. First, Houston added RP Josh Hader on a 5-year/$95MM contract, the richest for a reliever in baseball history. Next, the club made 2B Jose Altuve an Astro for life with a massive 7-year/$163.5MM contract extension. Houston has a ton of money tied up in players over the age of 30-years old but will get some relief when 3B Alex Bregman potentially reaches free agency after the season.
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: 2B Jose Altuve (34) | $31.5MM
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Buried Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $252,473,141 | $1,000,000 | N/A | $253,473,141 |
2. New York Mets
#LOLMets. Boy, the New York Mets are a mess! Normally, being No. 2 on a list like this means a ballclub is in contention for a title and looking to make a push. Not so for the Metropolitans. The Mets are on the hook for nearly $300 million in salary for 2024 and almost $50 million of that salary is tied to players no longer with the franchise and that’s not including the yearly $1.1 million that goes to 60-year-old Bobby Bonilla! No, the Mets are on the hook for about half of Justin Verlander’s and Max Scherzer‘s salaries. They’re also on the hook for $8 million of James McCann‘s salary. The trio are playing for the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles, respectively. It’s tough times in Queens!
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: SS Francisco Lindor (30) | $34.1MM
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Buried Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $243,530,000 | $49,721,859 | $2,100,000 | $295,351,859 |
1. New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are back on the top of baseball’s payroll breakdown! George M. Steinbrenner is surely smiling from wherever you believe he’s located! Other than the Dodgers, the Yankees had the biggest offseason in all of baseball. The Bronx Bombers traded for Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto. They also signed SP Marcus Stroman in free agency to a 2-year/$37MM deal. The Yankees now have more money tied up in their Top 5 highest paid players –OF Aaron Judge, SP Gerrit Cole, RF Giancarlo Stanton, LF Juan Soto, and SP Carlos Rodon— than the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and Pittsburgh Pirates combined.
Highest Paid Player Based on Adjusted Salary: OF Aaron Judge (32) | $40MM
| 26-Man Payroll | Retained Payroll | Buried Payroll | 2024 Total Payroll |
| $289,161,666 | $14,760,000 | N/A | $303,921,666 |
Standard Disclosure: Salaries are based on Spotrac’s contract numbers and can change, blah, blah, blah!
Baseball Odds
League: All
- All
- Premier League
- Bundesliga
- International Matchups
- NCAA, Regular Season
- Primera Division
- Wuhan Open
- UEFA Nations League
- Eredivisie
- Extraliga
- Campeonato de Portugal
- NBA
- WTA Wuhan, China Women Singles
- Super Lig
- Championship
- Serie A
- Roland Garros
- NHL
- UEFA Champions League
- Premiership
- Ligue 1
- Liga MX, Apertura
- Australian Open
- DFB Cup
- Brazil Street LNF
- Allsvenskan
- ATP Shanghai, China Men Singles
- India Super League
- NFL
- Modus Super Series
- Serie A2
- EHF European League
- Europe Super League
- ITF Spain 38A, Women Singles
- Brasileiro Serie A
- MLS Next Pro
- Copa Libertadores
- Eliteserien
- LaLiga
- World super league
- Superliga
- UFC Fight Night Royval vs Taira
- Classic All Stars
- China Super League
- MLS
- UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr.
- Champions Hockey League
- National League
- 1. Liga
- KHL
- Africa Cup 2x4
- ATP Challenger Hangzhou, China Men Singles
- Parva Liga
- MHL
- Primera B
- WHL
- Japan
- UFC Fight Night Pereira v Hernandez
- ATP Shanghai, China Men Double
- Super League 1
- Portugal
- Spain
- ATP Challenger Valencia, Spain Men Singles
- Liga Profesional
- HockeyEttan
- Brazil
- Sri Lanka Domestic
- Primera Federacion
- Primera Division, Apertura
- B.League
- ATP Challenger Roanne, France, Men Singles
- UEFA
- EURO
- VHL
- France League 1
- Liga Premier Serie A
- USL Championship
- Bangladesh - Premier League
- Venezuela
- Indian Cup
- England Championship
- Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024
- Super League
- Men's International
- NHL Preseason
- Primera Division, Women
- J.League
- Primera A, Clausura
- Segunda Division
- YaLLa Compass Fall 2024
- Champions League
- NB II
- PGL Wallachia Season 2
- UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway
- J.League 2
- Serie B
- Ekstraklasa
- Berserk CS2 League 2024 Week #40
- NBA Turkey
- Serie A2, Women
- Division 1
- LEN Champions League, Women
- Greece Cup
- 2nd Bundesliga
- DEL
- NBA Spain
- DEL 2
- Super League 2
- ESL Challenger League Season 48: South America
- LaLiga 2
- NBA Current
- Efeler Ligi
- Serie A1 Women
- Serie C, Group C
- J3 League
- K-League 1
- Brasileiro Serie B
- Pro Kabaddi League
- Worlds 2024
- Liga de Ascenso, Apertura
- 1. Lig
- 2. Liga
- ATP Challenger Villa Maria, Argentina Men Singles
- LigaPro Primera A
- Serie C, Group B
- United21 Season 15: Division 2
- A-League
- 1st Division
- SuperLega
- Liga Portugal 2
- Euroleague
- Liga ACB
- WC Qual, CONMEBOL
- 2. HBL
- NPFL
- NBA CBA
- 2. Liga, Division A
- OHL
- Besta deild
- Liga Nacional. Apertura
- Eredivisie, Women
- NBA France
- Liga MX, Women, Apertura
- Pro League
- Nadeshiko League, Div. 1, Women
- LNBP
- AFL, Women
- The FA Women's Super League
- BBL
- Unihockey Prime League
- Championship, Women
- NBA FIBA Europe
- Superliga, Women
- CSA T20 Challenge
- NBL
- 2nd Division Group 1
- SDHL
- I Liga
- Hoofdklasse
- Thai League 2
- Copa Sudamericana
- Handbollsligan
- Superettan
- Campionato Primavera 1
- Champions League Women
- NBA Philippine Cup
- Veikkausliiga
- SSL 2024 AUTUMN
- Superisligaen
- Botola
- Serie C, Group A
- ICE Hockey League
- EsportsBattle
- Liga Siatkowki
- PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants
- Copa Libertadores, Women
- NBA FIBA Americas
- ICC T20 World Cup, Women
- CFL
- Primeira Liga
- Handboldligaen
- Division de Honor, Clausura
- PrvaLiga
- A1 Women
- MPL Malaysia Season 14
- A1 Gaming League S9
- Liga Premier Serie B
- Liga De Expansion MX, Apertura
- USL League One
- Fight Music Show
- 2nd Division Group 2
- Liga ABA
- High School Baseball. Autumn Japan Games 2024
- Liga I
- Pro A
- Europe League 2024 - Stage 2
- Liiga
- AHL Preseason
- Svenska Superligan
- Arabian Gulf League
- CBA All Stars
- NBA Preseason
- 3. Liga
- A1
- 1st Bundesliga
- Liga Asobal
- Arena of Glory Winter 2024
- Mexico Liga TDP
- Challenger Pro League
- PLK
- Liga Panamena de Futbol, Clausura
- J.League Cup
- Canadian Premier League
- North America League 2024 - Stage 2
- MPL Indonesia Season 14
- League One
- China League 2
- Liga Nationala, Women
- PLKK
- NM Cup
- ITF Armenia 01A, Women Singles
- MLB
- U19 Super League
- A | Champions Series NA
- Premier Division
- Nationale 1 VV
- Asian Cup 2x15
- Oceania League 2024 - Stage 2
- MLB Series Props
- Asia League
- Super League, Women
- Philippines Football League
- A | Mobile League S16
- Premium Liiga
- F-Liiga
- VCT 2024: Game Changers Brazil Series 3
- HNL
- Primera Division B (APF)
- UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic
- Thai League 1
- T10 European Championship
- NPB
- Paranaense Championship
- MPL Singapore Season 8
- LNH Division 1
- All Stars
- Elitserien
- F-Liiga, Women
- National Provincial Championship
- CCT Season 2 European Series #13
- King Pro League Grand Finals 2024
- Coupe de France 2024
- 1. Division
- WNBA
- WXV, Women
- ITF USA 41A, Women Singles
- United21 Season 20
- United League
- MNLA
- NB I
- Division 2, Sodra Gotaland
- 1st Liga
- WTT Feeder Doha, MS
- Novo Basquete Brasil
- Ykkonen
- Divize D
- T-esports Championship Season 3
- Copa do Brasil
- Club Friendly Games
- Eliteserien, Women
- FIFA Futsal World Cup
- WTT Feeder Doha, WS
- ZBL
- Liga Heren
- 3rd Division Group 5
- QMJHL
- Garena Challenger Series Summer 2024
- NCAA Regular Season, Women
- A Lyga
- ESL Challenger League Season 48: North America
- WE League, Women
- Serie A, Women
- Japan League 2024 - Stage 2
- Premier League 1, Women
- 3. Liga, West
- Elisa Open Suomi Season 7
- MPL Philippines Season 14
- National Cricket League, Women
- KBL Cup
- ESL Challenger at DreamHack Atlanta 2024
- LKL
- Virsliga
- ITF Australia F7, Men Singles
- Division de Honor
- ODI Series Ireland vs. South Africa
- ATP Challenger Alicante, Spain Men Singles
- Suicide Zero Charity Cup
- U21 Paulista, Women
- LFH Division 1, Women
- Super Lig, Women
- ITF Spain 35A, Women Singles
- Uruguay Divisional A Women
- ITF Poland F10, Men Singles
- Extraliga, Women
- Premier League, Women
- FAI Cup
- English Premiership
- WTA 125k Hong Kong, China Women Doubles
- ITF South Korea 05A, Women Singles
- ITF Tunisia F52, Men Singles
- CCT Season 2 North American Series #3
- Puerto Rico National Football League
- King Overlord Entertainment Competition 2024
- ATP Challenger Braga, Portugal Men Singles
- SBL
- China Smash, WS
- CSA Provincial T20 Knockout
- A | HD League S6
- NB I. A, Women
- ITF Paraguay F2 Men Singles
- Gamers Club Liga Série A: September 2024
- K-League 2
- Omani League
- VCT 2024: Game Changers LATAM - Final
- Prva NL
- Eerste Divisie
- Liga Femenina
- ITF Australia 10A, Women Singles
- Nationalliga A, Women
- ITF Slovakia F4, Men Singles
- Legends Cricket League
- NRL Premiership
- MPL Cambodia Season 7
- ATP Challenger Tiburon, USA Men Double
- Deutschland Cup, Women
- Mineiro Championship
- China Smash, MS
- Caribbean Premier League
- PBA, Governors Cup
- ITF Croatia 08A, Women Singles
- Liga Siatkowki, Women
- VCT 2024: Game Changers Pacific
- Divize B
- Premier League 2
- WTA Beijing, China Women Singles
- Nationalliga A
- 3rd Division Group 2
- ITF USA F28B, Men Singles
- Test Series Pakistan vs. England
- 1. Bundesliga, Women
- CPBL
- RFL Championship
- LFB, Women
- Mineiro Championship, Women
- ITF Brazil 12A, Women Singles
- 1st deild
- Brazil League 2024 - Stage 2
- K3 League
- Svenska Superligan, Women
- Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado Age of Empires I
- Liga de Ascenso
- WTA Beijing, China Women Double
- ITF USA 41A, Women Doubles
- 3rd Division Group 3
- ITF Rwanda F2, Men Singles
- T20 Series India vs Bangladesh
- 2. Bundesliga
- RFL League 1
- ITF France 24A, Women Singles
- ITF Slovakia 06, Women Singles
- European Cup, Women
- KBO League
- Ligue Magnus
- ATP Challenger Mouilleron-Le-Captif, France Men Singles
- KOVO Cup, Women
- Kakkonen Playoffs
- 3. Liga, East
- Campionato Sammarinese
- HLA Challenge
- A | Champions Series EMEA
- ITF Italy 28A, Women Singles
- ITF Spain F37, Men Singles
- Estonian-Latvian League
- T20 Internationals, Women
- Mestaruusliiga
- AFC Women's Champions League
- NRL, Women
- U23 Liga MX, Apertura
- Nationale 1 ACFF
- ITF USA 40A, Women Singles
- Iraqi League
- EHF European League, Women
- SHL
- ATP Challenger Mouilleron-Le-Captif, France Men Double
- National
- Alps Hockey League
- Campeonato Paulista
- Unihockey Prime League, Women
- Premier Soccer League
- Cymru Premier
- League Two
- ITF Tunisia 51A, Women Singles
- Volley League, Women
- 3rd Division Group 6
- ITF France F31, Men Singles
- Esiliiga
- Ligue A
- Liga Nationala
- VCT 2024: Game Changers EMEA Stage 3
- Promotion League
- Top 14
- BLNO
- ITF USA 40A, Women Doubles
- Highlights
- Schedule
- European
- American
- Hong Kong
- Indonesian
- Malaysian
- Fractional
Live Baseball
MLB
1.New York Yankees
2.Kansas City Royals
MLB Series Props
1.New York Yankees
2.Kansas City Royals
High School Baseball. Autumn Japan Games 2024
1.Arita Technical
2.Komatsu Otani
Show more +
Upcoming Baseball
High School Baseball. Autumn Japan Games 2024
1.Taisha
2.Meitoku Gijuku
High School Baseball. Autumn Japan Games 2024
1.Kyoto International
2.Kamimura Gakuen
NPB
1.Chunichi Dragons
2.Yokohama Dena Baystars
KBO League
1.LG Twins
2.KT Wiz
NPB
1.Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
2.Orix Buffaloes
Show more +
There are no events at the moment
Baseball Schedule
High School Baseball. Autumn Japan Games 2024
1.Taisha
2.Meitoku Gijuku
High School Baseball. Autumn Japan Games 2024
1.Kyoto International
2.Kamimura Gakuen
NPB
1.Chunichi Dragons
2.Yokohama Dena Baystars
KBO League
1.LG Twins
2.KT Wiz
NPB
1.Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
2.Orix Buffaloes
CPBL
1.TSG Hawks
2.Rakuten Monkeys
MLB
1.Cleveland Guardians
2.Detroit Tigers
Show more +
There are no events at the moment
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
