Major League Baseball salaries in 2025 have reached unprecedented levels. Mega-contracts and lucrative endorsement deals have produced the highest paid MLB players 2025, including the first-ever $100+ million earners in a single season. This list of the top paid baseball players in 2025 ranks the superstars by total compensation (salary, bonuses, and endorsements). These are truly the richest baseball players of 2025, shattering records and setting new benchmarks for MLB salaries. Below we detail the top 10, their teams, positions, and what’s driving their massive paydays.

• Highest-Paid NFL Players in 2025‍
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• Highest Paid WNBA Players 2025

1. Juan Soto – $128.9 Million (New York Mets – Right Fielder)

Juan Soto tops the list as the highest-paid MLB player in 2025 with about $128.9 million in total earnings. The 26-year-old outfielder signed a record-shattering 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets – the richest in baseball history. This deal included an MLB-record $75 million signing bonus and no deferred money, giving Soto an astounding $121.9 million from the Mets in 2025 alone. On top of his salary and bonus, Soto adds over $5–7 million from endorsements (with brands like a popular energy drink and video game franchise). His combination of a historic contract and sponsorship deals makes him a financial powerhouse in MLB, out-earning every other player this year.

2. Shohei Ohtani – $102 Million (Los Angeles Dodgers – Pitcher/Designated Hitter)

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is the second highest-paid MLB player of 2025 with about $102 million in total earnings. Ohtani inked a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers after the 2023 season, but remarkably his 2025 on-field salary is only around $2 million due to deferred payments. Instead, the bulk of Ohtani’s income comes from endorsements – roughly $100 million from a lineup of global brands eager to partner with baseball’s most marketable star. Known for his unique talent as both an ace pitcher and elite slugger, Ohtani has deals with companies like New Balance, Seiko and Beats, among others. His popularity in both the U.S. and Japan has made him one of the top paid baseball players 2025, even with a relatively small Dodgers paycheck this season.

3. Blake Snell – $65.6 Million (Los Angeles Dodgers – Starting Pitcher)

Left-handed pitcher Blake Snell surprisingly ranks third on the 2025 list, ahead of many big-name sluggers. Snell signed a five-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers after winning his second Cy Young Award, a deal loaded with upfront money. Thanks to a whopping $52 million signing bonus paid early in the contract, Snell will earn about $65–66 million in 2025. His base salary for the year is a comparatively modest $28.4 million, with the Dodgers deferring about $66 million to later years. A few endorsement deals (with brands like Nike and others) add a small boost, but it’s the hefty signing bonus that propels Snell’s earnings into the stratosphere. This windfall makes Snell the highest-paid pitcher in baseball for 2025.

4. Aaron Judge – $48 Million (New York Yankees – Outfielder)

Yankees superstar Aaron Judge comes in fourth with an estimated $48 million in 2025 earnings. The reigning AL MVP (as of 2022) is in the second year of a 9-year, $360 million contract that pays him $40 million in salary annually. In 2025, Judge’s on-field pay is $40 million, and he supplements that with roughly $8 million in endorsements. As the face of the Yankees, Judge has secured deals with major brands (including a fashion partnership with Ralph Lauren) that push his total compensation near $50 million. His blend of a massive MLB salary and significant sponsorship income firmly entrench him among the highest paid MLB players 2025.

5. Zack Wheeler – $42 Million (Philadelphia Phillies – Starting Pitcher)

Phillies ace Zack Wheeler is fifth with around $42 million in 2025 earnings. The right-hander signed a three-year, $142 million extension with Philadelphia in 2023, which dramatically boosts his pay this season. For 2025, Wheeler is set to make roughly $42.2 million between salary and bonus money. This salary surge reflects his elite performance on the mound and the Phillies’ commitment to keep him. Wheeler has also picked up a few endorsement partnerships (with sports apparel brands like Nike and Fanatics) that contribute to his income. His big arm and new contract have earned him one of the top spots on the 2025 MLB earnings list.

6. Jacob deGrom – $40.3 Million (Texas Rangers – Starting Pitcher)

Despite battling injuries, Jacob deGrom remains one of baseball’s highest-paid players in 2025 with about $40.3 million in earnings. The Texas Rangers signed deGrom to a five-year, $185 million deal prior to the 2023 season, and in 2025 he’ll collect over $40 million in salary and bonuses. This hefty sum comes even as deGrom underwent Tommy John surgery – a reminder that his contract is fully guaranteed. The two-time Cy Young winner’s on-field contributions have been limited by health, but the Rangers are paying for his past dominance and potential future value. While deGrom isn’t known for major endorsements, his enormous pitching contract alone is enough to rank him among 2025’s top earners.

7. Mike Trout – $39.5 Million (Los Angeles Angels – Outfielder)

Angels legend Mike Trout continues to be one of the top paid baseball players 2025, with roughly $39.5 million in total earnings. Trout is midway through his 12-year, $426.5 million contract with Los Angeles, which pays him over $35 million in salary this year. In addition, the three-time MVP garners around $4 million from endorsements, partnering with companies like Nike, Topps, and others. Trout has been the face of the Angels for over a decade, and even as injuries have curtailed some playing time, his hefty contract and marketability keep him among baseball’s richest. His 2025 earnings reflect both his superstar contract and his continued appeal to sponsors as one of the generation’s greatest players.

8. Anthony Rendon – $38.1 Million (Los Angeles Angels – Third Baseman)

Angels infielder Anthony Rendon ranks eighth with about $38.1 million in 2025 earnings. Rendon signed a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Angels before the 2020 season, which values his annual salary in the high $30-million range. In 2025, he’s earning just over $38 million from that deal. Unlike some others on this list, Rendon’s income is almost entirely from his guaranteed contract, as he has minimal endorsement activity. Injuries have plagued his tenure in Anaheim, but his contract remains one of the largest for a position player. That big guaranteed salary secures Rendon’s spot among the highest-paid MLB players this year, even if his on-field impact has been limited.

9. Gerrit Cole – $37 Million (New York Yankees – Starting Pitcher)

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole comes in with roughly $37 million in 2025 earnings. Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with New York prior to the 2020 season, which gives him a $36 million base salary each year. In 2025, he’s earning about that amount, and additionally has around $1 million in endorsement deals. Cole’s sponsors have included brands like Nike, Fanatics and Untuckit, though his off-field earnings are relatively modest compared to some fellow stars. As the Yankees’ ace, Cole remains one of the top paid MLB players in 2025 purely through his pitching contract. His steady $36 million paycheck (and a bit of sponsor income) firmly positions him in the top 10.

10. Bryce Harper – $36 Million (Philadelphia Phillies – Outfielder/Designated Hitter)

Phillies star Bryce Harper rounds out the top 10 with an estimated $36 million in 2025 compensation. Harper’s 13-year, $330 million contract with Philadelphia pays him about $26 million in salary for 2025, and he supplements this with one of the largest endorsement portfolios in baseball. Sportico estimates Harper will earn around $10 million from endorsements this year – the second-highest off-field total among MLB players, behind only Ohtani. Known for his marketability since his teenage prodigy days, Harper has had deals with brands like Gatorade, Under Armour, and Topps throughout his career. His combined on-field salary and off-field earnings make him one of the richest baseball players in 2025, just edging into the top ten.

Overpaid or underpaid?

The top 10 highest-paid MLB players in 2025 underscore how rapidly MLB salaries 2025 have grown, fueled by record contracts and increasing endorsement opportunities. The fact that two players – Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani – each earned over $100 million in a single year is unprecedented. From massive signing bonuses to international marketing appeal, these stars are capitalizing on every avenue of income. This list of the highest paid MLB players 2025 also highlights that a handful of big-market teams (and their deep-pocket owners) are driving player pay to new heights. As media deals and fan interest continue to boost league revenues, the trend of soaring contracts is likely to continue. In future seasons, we may see even more players joining the ranks of baseball’s mega-rich, redefining what it means to be among the top paid baseball players in the world.

Sources

• Sportico 2025 MLB Player Earnings Report
• Forbes “Highest-Paid MLB Players 2025”
• ESPN MLB Salary Database 2025
• Spotrac Contract and Salary Data (2025 season)