As the most popular sport in the United States, Major League Baseball (MLB) attracts some of the highest-paid athletes in the world. With salaries reaching into the millions of dollars, players who sign lucrative contracts are often at the top of their game and boast impressive stats. But who currently holds the title of the highest paying contract in MLB?
Currently, the highest paying contract in MLB belongs to Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout. In March of 2019, Trout signed a 12-year contract extension with the team worth a whopping $426.5 million. The deal, which includes a signing bonus of $20 million, means that Trout will earn an average of $35.5 million per year over the course of the contract.
Trout`s record-breaking contract surpasses the previous record set by Bryce Harper, who signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies in February of 2019. Harper`s contract includes a no-trade clause and a signing bonus of $20 million, and he will earn an average of $25.4 million per year.
Other notable high-paying contracts in MLB include those of Gerrit Cole, who signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees in December of 2019, and Giancarlo Stanton, who signed a 13-year, $325 million contract with the Miami Marlins in 2014 before being traded to the Yankees in 2017.
It`s important to note that while these contracts may seem excessive, they are a reflection of the tremendous value that these players bring to their teams and to the league as a whole. Athletes like Trout, Harper, Cole, and Stanton are among the best in their field, and their talent and performance are key drivers of revenue for MLB.
In addition to being top earners in their own right, these players also have the potential to impact the salaries of their peers. For example, Trout`s record-breaking contract may influence negotiations for other star outfielders in the future, as teams may be more willing to offer higher salaries to top talent.
While the debate over athlete salaries will likely continue, it`s clear that in MLB, the highest paying contracts are reserved for the best of the best. And for now, Mike Trout holds the title for the biggest contract in the league.
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