10 Most Lucrative Contracts in MLB History

Most of the biggest contracts in modern sports history are awarded to baseball players due to the fact that their deals last longer than those of other sports. The largest contracts in Major League Baseball are so substantial, that they have made it to the all-time list of most lucrative sports deals. Baseball after all is largely a non-contact sport and signing long-term agreements is a relatively safe investment, as players are not as injury-prone as those in other Sports. Here are the 10 most lucrative contracts in MLB history.

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1. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels: 12 years, $426.5 Million.

Mike Trout’s extension deal with Los Angeles Angels in March 2019 is the most lucrative contract in MLB history, it was worth  $426.5 million. Prior to the deal Trout was already considered one of the greatest players in modern baseball history and had been named an All-Star seven times and won two MVPs. Since his first full MLB season, he has put up 64.9 wins above replacement, per FanGraphs.

2. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers: 12 years, $365 Million

In July 2020, Star outfielder Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a 12-year extension, worth $365 million. This deal takes second place among the most lucrative contracts in MLB history. Betts is considered one of the best all-around players in baseball: an elite leadoff hitter with power, speed, and four Gold Gloves in the right field. He capped his championship-winning 2018 season with an MVP award.

3. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: 10 years, $341 Million

Francisco Lindor’s 2021 extension deal with New York Mets takes third place among the most lucrative contracts in MLB history. The deal which will extend Lindor’s stay at the club for 10 more years is reportedly worth $34.1 million. Lindor is a four-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glover, and one of the best offensive weapons at a position where defense is traditionally prioritized.  According to reports, if he didn’t get the huge extension with the Mets, he was going to break the bank in free agency the following year.

4. Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres: 14 years, $340 Million

The emerging face of baseball, Fernando Tatis, joins the list with his 14 years contract extension with the San Diego Padres in 2021. The deal was reported to be worth $340 Million, taking its place among the most lucrative contracts in MLB history. It is also the largest deal given to a player before he reaches arbitration. Tatís Jr. made his MLB debut in 2019, won the Silver Slugger Award in 2020, and was named an All-Star in 2021.

5. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies: 13 years, $330 Million

Bryce Harper 13 years deal with Philadelphia Phillies in 2019, takes fourth place among the most lucrative contracts in MLB history. The contract worth $330 Million was at that time the biggest contract in Baseball and MLB history. It is to date, the biggest free-agent contract in MLB history. Harper has been one of the best players in since his debut in 2012.  Prior to the deal, He ranked fifth in Major League Baseball with 184 homers and 30.7 FanGraphs wins above replacement over the previous seven seasons.

6. Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins: 13 years, $325 Million

Giancarlo Stanton 13 years extension contract, with the Miami Marlins in 2014 is one of the most lucrative contracts in MLB history. The Contract worth $325 Million was the most lucrative deal for an American athlete, at that time averaging $25 million per season. The deal includes a no-trade clause, and Stanton can opt out after six years. Stanton at that time was the game’s most feared slugger, he had 154 career homers and led the NL with 37 homers in the 2014 season, despite missing the final 17 games.

7. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers: 10 years, 325 Million

Corey Seager’s historic deal with Texas Rangers, in late 2021 takes seventh place among the most lucrative contracts in MLB history. The deal which is to cover a period of 10 years is worth $325 Million.  Prior to the deal, Seager had finished  ninth in 2020 National League MVP voting and earning MVP honors in both the NLCS and World Series. Along with his pair of postseason MVP Awards, Seager was also the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year and  a two-time All-Star before signing his historic deal at the age of 27.

8. Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees: 9 years, 324 Million

Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees agreed to a record nine-year contract in 2019. This contract with an opt-out option after five years,  and it a full no-trade clause, was reported to be worth 324 Million taking the third place among the most lucrative contracts in MLB history. Cole’s nine years are also the second most for any pitcher contract, trailing only Wayne Garland’s 10-year contract in the 1970s, in a far different era of free agency. he has since then delivered a 3.11 ERA with 337 strikeouts over 254 1/3 innings in two seasons with the Yankees,

9. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: 10 years, 300 Million

Machado holds the distinction as being the first $300 million free agent in MLB history with the deal he inked with San Diego.  The contarct was reported to be the biggest free agent contract in American sports history in terms of total dollars, at that. It is also one of the most lucrative contracts in MLB history. Manny Machado is an elite offense/defense two-way player, wh0 can play either shortstop or third base. Prior to the deal, he had acombined hit .297/.367/.538 with 37 home runs and 107 RBI.

10. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 10 years, $275 million

Concluding the list  of the 10 most lucrative contract in MLB history the Alex Rodriguez 2007 contract with the Yankees.That deal was the richest free-agent contract in MLB history, worth $275 Million over 10 years. Prior to that Rodriguez had set the previous mark with his $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas Ranger in December 2000, before he was traded to the Yankees in 2004. He would go on to lead the Bronx Bombers to their 27th World Series championship in 2009.

Summary

Here isa summary of the 10 most lucrative contracts in MLB history.

1. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels: 12 years, $426.5 Million.
2. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers: 12 years, $365 Million
3. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: 10 years, $341 Million
4. Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres: 14 years, $340 Million
5. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies: 13 years, $330 Million
6. Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins: 13 years, $325 Million
7. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers: 10 years, 325 Million
8. Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees: 9 years, 324 Million
9. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: 10 years, 300 Million
10. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 10 years, $275 million