Who is the Highest Paid Pitcher of All Time?
The highest paid pitcher of all time is a hotly contested topic among baseball fans. The question of who is the highest paid pitcher of all time is a complex one, and requires consideration of multiple factors. We will look at the following:
- Free Agent Contracts
- Salary Averages
- Total Earnings
Free Agent Contracts
When it comes to free agent contracts, there are a few pitchers who stand out as the highest paid of all time. The most notable of these is former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw. In 2014, Kershaw signed a seven-year $215 million contract, making him the highest paid pitcher in MLB history. He also has the largest average salary of any pitcher in history, earning an average of $30.7 million per season.
Salary Averages
While Kershaw’s free agent contract is certainly impressive, he is not the only pitcher to have earned an impressive salary. The second highest paid pitcher in terms of salary averages is former New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom. deGrom signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract in 2019, which equates to an average salary of $27.5 million per season.
Total Earnings
When it comes to total earnings, there is one pitcher who stands out above the rest: former San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito. Zito signed a seven-year, $126 million contract in 2008, which made him the highest paid pitcher in MLB history at the time. Zito earned a total of $156 million over his career, which is the most of any pitcher in MLB history.
Other Notable Contracts
There are a few other noteworthy contracts that have been signed by pitchers in recent years. Former Cubs pitcher Jon Lester signed a six-year, $155 million contract in 2014, making him the second highest paid pitcher in MLB history at the time. Former Red Sox pitcher David Price signed a seven-year, $217 million contract in 2016, making him the third highest paid pitcher in MLB history.
Conclusion
When it comes to the highest paid pitcher of all time, there is no clear-cut answer. Each pitcher has earned an impressive salary, and each contract has its own merits. However, when it comes to both free agent contracts and total earnings, Clayton Kershaw stands out as the highest paid pitcher of all time.
FAQs
- Who is the highest paid pitcher of all time? The highest paid pitcher of all time is Clayton Kershaw, who signed a seven-year, $215 million contract in 2014.
- What is the highest average salary of any pitcher in history? The highest average salary of any pitcher in history is $30.7 million, which was earned by Clayton Kershaw.
- Who has earned the most total money of any pitcher in MLB history? Barry Zito has earned the most total money of any pitcher in MLB history, having earned a total of $156 million over his career.
Takeaways
When it comes to the highest paid pitcher of all time, there are a few contenders. However, Clayton Kershaw stands out as the clear winner in both free agent contracts and total earnings. His seven-year, $215 million contract makes him the highest paid pitcher in MLB history, and his average salary of $30.7 million per season is the highest of any pitcher in history.
Sources
- spotrac.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/clayton-kershaw/
- spotrac.com/mlb/new-york-mets/jacob-degrom/
- spotrac.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/barry-zito/
- spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/jon-lester/
- spotrac.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/david-price/
Conclusion
When it comes to the highest paid pitcher of all time, Clayton Kershaw stands out as the clear winner. His seven-year, $215 million contract makes him the highest paid pitcher in MLB history, and his average salary of $30.7 million per season is the highest of any pitcher in history. He also has the most total earnings of any pitcher in MLB history, having earned a total of $156 million over his career.