Get ready for a deep dive into the world of MLB contracts! We're about to uncover the biggest deals in baseball history, ranked by their average annual value (AAV). But here's where it gets controversial... some of these contracts have a few hidden twists that might just surprise you!
The Top 32 MLB Contracts by AAV:
Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers: $70 million. Signed in December 2023, this deal is a real head-turner. With a whopping 97.1% of the total amount deferred from 2034-43, the AAV varies depending on who's calculating it. MLB says it's $46.06 million, while the MLBPA calculates it at $43,783,056.30.
Juan Soto, Mets: $51 million. Signed in December 2024, this contract sets a new record for AAV, with no deferred money involved.
Max Scherzer, Mets: $43.3 million. A free agent signing in November 2021, Scherzer's deal is a solid addition to the list.
Justin Verlander, Mets: $43.3 million. Another free agent signing, this time in December 2022, Verlander's contract is a big one.
Zack Wheeler, Phillies: $42 million. Wheeler's extension, signed in March 2024, keeps him in the top 5.
Aaron Judge, Yankees: $40 million. Signed as a free agent in December 2022, Judge's deal is a big win for the Yankees.
Alex Bregman, Red Sox: $40 million. Bregman's free agent contract, signed in February 2025, has a lower AAV of $31.7 million for CBT purposes due to deferrals.
Jacob deGrom, Rangers: $37 million. deGrom's free agency signing in December 2022 is a significant move for the Rangers.
Blake Snell, Dodgers: $36.4 million. Signed as a free agent in November 2024, Snell's deal has an AAV of $31,735,498 when considering deferrals, according to the MLBPA.
Mike Trout, Angels: $36 million. Trout's extension, signed in March 2019, keeps him among the top earners.
Gerrit Cole, Yankees: $36 million. Cole's free agent contract, signed in December 2019, is a big-ticket item for the Yankees.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays: $35.7 million. Guerrero's extension, signed in April 2025, is a significant commitment from the Blue Jays.
Carlos Correa, Twins: $35.1 million. Correa's free agent contract, signed in March 2022, is a solid addition to the Twins' roster.
Stephen Strasburg, Nationals: $35 million. Strasburg's free agent deal, signed in December 2019, is a big one for the Nationals.
Anthony Rendon, Angels: $35 million. Rendon's free agent contract, also signed in December 2019, is a key signing for the Angels.
Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks: $35 million. Burnes' free agent contract, signed in December 2024, is a recent addition to the list.
Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks: $34.4 million. Greinke's free agent signing in December 2015 is a notable deal.
Francisco Lindor, Mets: $34.1 million. Lindor's extension, signed in March 2021, is a solid move for the Mets.
Trevor Bauer, Dodgers: $34 million. Bauer's free agent contract, signed in February 2021, is a significant acquisition for the Dodgers.
Nolan Arenado, Rockies: $33.4 million. Arenado's extension, signed in February 2019, is a long-term commitment.
Carlos Correa, Twins: $33.3 million. Correa's free agent deal, signed in January 2023, is a big one for the Twins.
Justin Verlander, Astros: $33 million. Verlander's extension, signed in March 2019, keeps him in the top 25.
Corey Seager, Rangers: $32.5 million. Seager's free agent contract, signed in November 2021, is a key signing for the Rangers.
Rafael Devers, Red Sox: $31.4 million. Devers' extension, signed in January 2023, is a recent addition to this list.
Pete Alonso, Orioles: $31 million. Alonso's free agent contract, signed in December 2025, is a future deal to watch.
Blake Snell, Giants: $31 million. Snell's free agent contract, signed in March 2024, has an AAV of $29,698,347 when deferrals are considered, according to the MLBPA.
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: $31 million. Cabrera's extension, signed in March 2014, is a long-standing deal.
David Price, Red Sox: $31 million. Price's free agent contract, signed in December 2015, is a notable signing.
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: $31 million. Kershaw's extension, signed in November 2018, keeps him among the top earners.
Seth Lugo, Royals: $31 million. Lugo's extension, signed in July 2025, is a recent addition to the list.
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: $30.7 million. Kershaw's earlier extension, signed in January 2014, is a solid deal.
Mookie Betts, Dodgers: $30.4 million. Betts' extension, signed in July 2020, is a significant move for the Dodgers.
Jacob deGrom, Mets: $30.1 million. deGrom's extension, signed in March 2019, is a key retention for the Mets.
Manny Machado, Padres: $30 million. Machado's free agent contract, signed in February 2019, is a big deal for the Padres.
Kyle Schwarber, Phillies: $30 million. Schwarber's free agent contract, signed in December 2025, is a future deal to watch.
Max Scherzer, Nationals: $30 million. Scherzer's free agent deal, signed in January 2015, is counted as $28,689,376 for luxury tax purposes.
Dylan Cease, Blue Jays: $30 million. Cease's free agent contract, signed in November 2025, is counted as $26.37 million for luxury tax purposes.
And there you have it! A list of the biggest MLB contracts, ranked by AAV. But here's the part most people miss: these contracts often have complex structures and deferrals that can significantly impact the actual value. So, which contract do you think is the most intriguing? And what do you make of the varying AAV calculations? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
