Who is the Highest Paid American Baseball Player?
Baseball is America’s favorite pastime, with millions of fans tuning in to watch their favorite players compete every season. With so much talent in the league, it’s no surprise that there are many players who are making huge salaries. So who is the highest paid American baseball player?
Mike Trout: Major League Baseball’s Highest Paid Player
The title of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) highest paid player goes to Mike Trout, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels. Trout signed a 12-year contract in 2019 worth a whopping $426.5 million, making him the highest paid baseball player in MLB history.
Trout’s Impressive Resume
As the highest paid American baseball player, Trout’s impressive resume is a big reason why he was able to command such a large salary. Trout is a two-time American League MVP, eight-time All-Star, and seven-time Silver Slugger winner. He also holds the record for most career home runs in the Angels franchise, and is widely considered to be one of the best hitters in baseball.
The Other Highest Paid American Baseball Players
While Trout may be the highest paid American baseball player, there are still many players who are earning high salaries. Here are some of the other top earners in the league:
- Gerrit Cole – Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2019. He is the second highest paid American baseball player.
- Zack Greinke – Greinke signed an eight-year, $206 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018. He is the third highest paid American baseball player.
- David Price – Price signed a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox in 2016. He is the fourth highest paid American baseball player.
- Miguel Cabrera – Cabrera signed an eight-year, $248 million contract with the Detroit Tigers in 2014. He is the fifth highest paid American baseball player.
The Future of Baseball Salaries
With MLB salaries increasing every year, it’s likely that the highest paid American baseball player will continue to rise. In 2019, the league’s collective salary cap rose to $210 million, and is expected to continue to rise in the future. This means that we could see more players earning high salaries, and the title of highest paid American baseball player could change hands in the coming years.
The Impact of Salary Caps
The MLB salary cap is designed to keep salaries at a certain level and prevent small-market teams from getting left behind. This ensures that teams have the resources to compete and keeps the sport competitive. It also prevents a single team from having too much of an advantage over the rest of the league.
The Impact of Free Agency
Free agency is another major factor in the salaries of the highest paid American baseball players. Players are able to test their value on the open market, and teams are able to bid for the players’ services. This allows players to be rewarded for their talent and gives teams the opportunity to acquire the best talent.
The Impact of Endorsements
The highest paid American baseball players are often able to land lucrative endorsement deals, which can further pad their salaries. Endorsement deals can range from equipment sponsorships to product endorsements, and can help players earn a great deal of money outside of their base salary.
Conclusion
Mike Trout is the highest paid American baseball player, having signed a 12-year contract worth a whopping $426.5 million. While Trout may be the highest paid player in the league, there are many other players who are earning high salaries. The future of baseball salaries is bright, as the league’s collective salary cap continues to rise and players are able to take advantage of free agency and endorsement deals.