{"id":370040,"date":"2025-12-25T21:40:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T21:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/370040\/"},"modified":"2025-12-25T21:40:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T21:40:08","slug":"the-largest-mlb-contracts-by-aav","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/370040\/","title":{"rendered":"The Largest MLB Contracts By AAV"},"content":{"rendered":"

Below is our list of the 32 largest contracts in MLB history by average annual value (AAV). Please note that if a player was already under contract and signed an extension, only the new money counts.\u00a0 For our list of the largest contracts in total dollars, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Shohei Ohtani<\/a>, Dodgers: $70,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed December 2023.\u00a0 97.1% of the total is deferred from 2034-43.\u00a0 As a result, for luxury tax purposes, MLB calculated<\/a> the AAV at $46.06MM.\u00a0 The MLBPA calculated<\/a> the AAV at $43,783,056.30.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Juan Soto<\/a>, Mets: $51,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed December 2024.\u00a0 Given the lack of deferred money, this should be treated as the true AAV record.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Max Scherzer<\/a>, Mets: $43,333,333.33.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed November 2021<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Justin Verlander<\/a>, Mets: $43,330,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed December 2022<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 Zack Wheeler<\/a>, Phillies: $42,000,000.\u00a0 Extension signed March 2024<\/p>\n

t-6.\u00a0 Aaron Judge<\/a>, Yankees: $40,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed December 2022<\/p>\n

t-6. Alex Bregman<\/a>, Red Sox: $40,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed February 2025.\u00a0 Considering deferrals, the AAV is considered $31.7MM for CBT purposes.<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0 Jacob deGrom<\/a>, Rangers: $37,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed December 2022<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0 Blake Snell<\/a>, Dodgers: $36,400,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed November 2024.\u00a0 Considering deferrals, the MLBPA calculated the AAV as $31,735,498<\/p>\n

t-10.\u00a0 Mike Trout<\/a>, Angels: $36,000,000.\u00a0 Extension signed March 2019<\/p>\n

t-10.\u00a0 Gerrit Cole<\/a>, Yankees: $36,000,000.\u00a0\u00a0Free agent contract signed December 2019<\/p>\n

12.\u00a0 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/a>, Blue Jays: $35,714,285.71.\u00a0 Extension signed April 2025<\/p>\n

13.\u00a0 Carlos Correa<\/a>, Twins: $35,100,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed March 2022<\/p>\n

t-14.\u00a0 Stephen Strasburg<\/a>, Nationals: $35,000,000.\u00a0\u00a0Free agent contract signed December 2019<\/p>\n

t-14.\u00a0 Anthony Rendon<\/a>, Angels: $35,000,000.\u00a0\u00a0Free agent contract signed December 2019<\/p>\n

t-14.\u00a0 Corbin Burnes<\/a>, Diamondbacks: $35,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed December 2024<\/p>\n

17.\u00a0 Zack Greinke<\/a>, Diamondbacks: $34,416,667.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed December 2015<\/p>\n

18.\u00a0 Francisco Lindor<\/a>, Mets: $34.1MM.\u00a0 Extension signed March 2021<\/p>\n

19.\u00a0 Trevor Bauer<\/a>, Dodgers: $34,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed February 2021<\/p>\n

20.\u00a0 Nolan Arenado<\/a>, Rockies: $33,428,571.\u00a0\u00a0Extension signed February 2019<\/p>\n

21.\u00a0 Carlos Correa<\/a>, Twins: $33,333,333.33.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed January 2023<\/p>\n

22.\u00a0 Justin Verlander<\/a>, Astros: $33,000,000.\u00a0 Extension signed March 2019<\/p>\n

23.\u00a0 Corey Seager<\/a>, Rangers: $32,500,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed November 2021<\/p>\n

24.\u00a0 Rafael Devers<\/a>, Red Sox: $31,350,000.\u00a0 Extension signed January 2023<\/p>\n

t-25.\u00a0 Pete Alonso<\/a>, Orioles: $31,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed December 2025<\/p>\n

t-25.\u00a0 Blake Snell<\/a>, Giants: $31,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed March 2024.\u00a0 Considering deferrals, the MLBPA calculated<\/a> the AAV as $29,698,347<\/p>\n

t-25.\u00a0 Miguel Cabrera<\/a>, Tigers: $31,000,000.\u00a0\u00a0Extension signed March 2014<\/p>\n

t-25.\u00a0 David Price<\/a>, Red Sox: $31,000,000.\u00a0\u00a0Free agent contract signed December 2015<\/p>\n

t-25.\u00a0 Clayton Kershaw<\/a>, Dodgers: $31,000,000.\u00a0 Extension signed November 2018<\/p>\n

t-25.\u00a0 Seth Lugo<\/a>, Royals: $31,000,000.\u00a0 Extension signed July 2025<\/p>\n

31.\u00a0 Clayton Kershaw<\/a>, Dodgers: $30,714,286.\u00a0 Extension signed January 2014<\/p>\n

32.\u00a0 Mookie Betts<\/a>, Dodgers: $30,416,667.\u00a0\u00a0Extension signed July 2020<\/p>\n

33.\u00a0 Jacob deGrom<\/a>, Mets: $30,125,000.\u00a0 Extension signed March 2019<\/p>\n

t-34.\u00a0 Manny Machado<\/a>, Padres: $30,000,000.\u00a0\u00a0Free agent contract signed February 2019<\/p>\n

t-34.\u00a0 Kyle Schwarber<\/a>, Phillies: $30,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed December 2025<\/p>\n

t-34.\u00a0 Max Scherzer<\/a>, Nationals: $30,000,000.\u00a0\u00a0Free agent contract signed January 2015.\u00a0 Counted as<\/a> $28,689,376 for purposes of luxury tax.<\/p>\n

t-34.\u00a0 \u00a0Dylan Cease<\/a>, Blue Jays; $30,000,000.\u00a0 Free agent contract signed November 2025.\u00a0 Counted as<\/a> $26.37MM for purposes of luxury tax.<\/p>\n