What is MLB?
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the professional baseball organization in the United States and Canada, consisting of 30 teams divided between the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). MLB is the most popular professional sports league in the United States and is widely considered to be the highest level of play in the world.
How Much Does an Average MLB Player Make?
The minimum salary for a Major League Baseball player is $563,500 per year. This is set by the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is the agreement between the league and the players union. The average MLB salary is much higher than this, however, with the average salary for all players in the league being around $4.36 million.
MLB Salaries by Position
MLB salaries vary widely by position, with pitchers typically earning the highest salaries and rookies typically earning the lowest. The average salary for a pitcher is $4.8 million, while the average salary for a catcher is $2.1 million. The average salary for a first baseman is $3.4 million, for a second baseman is $2.9 million, for a shortstop is $2.8 million, for a third baseman is $3.3 million, for an outfielder is $3.2 million, and for a designated hitter is $3.3 million.
MLB Salaries by Team
The average salaries of MLB teams also differ widely. The New York Yankees, the highest-paying team in the league, have an average salary of $7.6 million per player. The lowest-paying team in the league is the Miami Marlins, with an average salary of $1.9 million per player.
MLB Salaries by Player
The salaries of individual players can differ significantly depending on their performance and their contract. The highest-paid player in the league for 2020 is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who is making an annual salary of $37.7 million. The lowest-paid player in the league is Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Jordan Stephens, who is making an annual salary of $563,500.
MLB Salaries and Performance Bonuses
In addition to their base salary, MLB players can also earn performance bonuses based on their individual performance and the performance of their team. These bonuses are typically paid out at the end of the season and can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars.
MLB Salaries and Endorsement Deals
MLB players can also earn additional income through endorsement deals. These endorsement deals can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the player and the company involved.
MLB Salaries and Other Income Sources
In addition to their salary and endorsement deals, MLB players can also earn additional income through investments, real estate, and other business ventures.
Taxes and Other Deductions from MLB Salaries
MLB players must pay taxes on their salary, as well as deductions for social security, Medicare, and any other applicable state and local taxes. In addition, MLB players are subject to a luxury tax, which is a tax on teams whose total payroll exceeds a certain amount.
Conclusion
The average salary for a Major League Baseball player is $4.36 million per year, and salaries can vary widely by position and team. In addition, players can earn additional income through performance bonuses, endorsement deals, investments, and other business ventures. Finally, players must pay taxes on their salaries and are subject to various deductions and the luxury tax.