Of the seven highest-paid MLB players for 2022, only one plays in the National League. That one player, however, is the highest-paid player in MLB history and the first player ever who signed a contract with an average annual value north of $40 million.
As teams balance their checkbooks with hopes of climbing World Series odds, here are the highest-paid MLB players for 2022:
Highest-Paid MLB Players: Salary Rankings, 2022
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| Rank | Player | Team | Total Cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Scherzer | Mets | $43.3 million |
| 2 | Corey Seager | Rangers | $37.5 million |
| 3(t) | Gerrit Cole | Yankees | $36 million |
| 3(t) | Anthony Rendon | Angels | $36 million |
| 5 | Mike Trout | Angeles | $35.5 million |
| 6 | Carlos Correa | Twins | $35.1 million |
| 7 | Miguel Cabrera | Tigers | $32 million |
| 8 | Manny Machado | Padres | $30 million |
| 9 | Nolan Arenado | Cardinals | $29.4 million |
| 10 | George Springer | Blue Jays | $28 million |
| 11 | Francisco Lindor | Mets | $27 million |
| 12(t) | Bryce Harper | Phillies | $26 million |
| 12(t) | Zack Wheeler | Phillies | $26 million |
| 12(t) | Paul Goldschmidt | Cardinals | $26 million |
| 12(t) | Jose Altuve | Astros | $26 million |
| 16(t) | Marcus Stroman | Cubs | $25 million |
| 16(t) | Marcus Semien | Rangers | $25 million |
| 16(t) | Justin Verlander | Astros | $25 million |
| 16(t) | Joey Votto | Reds | $25 million |
| 20 | Kris Bryant | Rockies | $24 million |
At 37 years old, Max Scherzer landed a $130-million contract with an average annual salary of $43.3 million.
He's also earning $15 million in annual deferred pay from the Washington Nationals through 2027 and is scheduled to earn $15 million in deferred pay from the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2028.
Scherzer's deal nearly pushed the New York Mets ahead of the Dodgers for highest MLB payroll in 2022.
Max Scherzer career earnings: $197,908,333
From 2015-18, Corey Seager made a total of $1.69 million. He'll earn more than that each week of the regular season from 2022-31 after signing a 10-year, $325-million contract with the Texas Rangers.
Corey Seager career earnings: $62,190,784
Gerrit Cole is only three years into his nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees. He also has a full no-trade clause and opt-out available after 2024.
Gerrit Cole career earnings: $120,222,046
Anthony Rendon has been an injury-ridden flop in Anaheim since signing a seven-year, $245-million contract before the 2020 season. And, after 2022, he still has four years and more than $150 million remaining on the deal.
Anthony Rendon career earnings: $127,244,444
Mike Trout made $992,500 combined in his first two full MLB seasons, 2012 and 2013, during which he won two AL Silver Slugger awards. He won a third Silver Slugger in 2014 with a $1-million salary and a fourth in 2015 with a $5.3-million salary.
Now with eight Silver Sluggers – and one AL MVP – Trout is making $35.5 million per season.
Mike Trout career earnings: $196,740,124
Carlos Correa didn't land the mega free-agency deal but still signed an opt-out-laden three-year, $105.3-million deal to become the highest-paid player in Minnesota Twins' history.
Carlos Correa career earnings: $61,944,676
There's only one guaranteed year remaining on Miguel Cabrera's eight-year, $248-million contract extension the former Triple Crown winner signed in 2015. There are two mutual option years – 2024 and 2025 – with $30-million base salaries.
He's made at least $10 million annually since his arrival in Detroit in 2008.
Miguel Cabrera career earnings: $353,023,111
Nearly all of Manny Machado's payroll salary throughout his 10-year, $300-million deal is base salary. His $20-million signing bonus is evenly spread through the 10 years (2019-28), $2 million per season.