The Largest MLB Contracts By AAV

Below is our list of the 32 largest contracts in MLB history by average annual value (AAV). Please note that if a player was already under contract and signed an extension, only the new money counts.  For our list of the largest contracts in total dollars, click here.

1.  Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers: $70,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2023.  97.1% of the total is deferred from 2034-43.  As a result, for luxury tax purposes, MLB calculated the AAV at $46.06MM.  The MLBPA calculated the AAV at $43,783,056.30.

2.  Juan Soto, Mets: $51,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2024.  Given the lack of deferred money, this should be treated as the true AAV record.

3.  Max Scherzer, Mets: $43,333,333.33.  Free agent contract signed November 2021

4.  Justin Verlander, Mets: $43,330,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2022

5.  Zack Wheeler, Phillies: $42,000,000.  Extension signed March 2024

t-6.  Aaron Judge, Yankees: $40,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2022

t-6. Alex Bregman, Red Sox: $40,000,000.  Free agent contract signed February 2025.  Considering deferrals, the AAV is considered $31.7MM for CBT purposes.

8.  Jacob deGrom, Rangers: $37,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2022

9.  Blake Snell, Dodgers: $36,400,000.  Free agent contract signed November 2024.  Considering deferrals, the MLBPA calculated the AAV as $31,735,498

t-10.  Mike Trout, Angels: $36,000,000.  Extension signed March 2019

t-10.  Gerrit Cole, Yankees: $36,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2019

12.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays: $35,714,285.71.  Extension signed April 2025

13.  Carlos Correa, Twins: $35,100,000.  Free agent contract signed March 2022

t-14.  Stephen Strasburg, Nationals: $35,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2019

t-14.  Anthony Rendon, Angels: $35,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2019

t-14.  Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks: $35,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2024

17.  Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks: $34,416,667.  Free agent contract signed December 2015

18.  Francisco Lindor, Mets: $34.1MM.  Extension signed March 2021

19.  Trevor Bauer, Dodgers: $34,000,000.  Free agent contract signed February 2021

20.  Nolan Arenado, Rockies: $33,428,571.  Extension signed February 2019

21.  Carlos Correa, Twins: $33,333,333.33.  Free agent contract signed January 2023

22.  Justin Verlander, Astros: $33,000,000.  Extension signed March 2019

23.  Corey Seager, Rangers: $32,500,000.  Free agent contract signed November 2021

24.  Rafael Devers, Red Sox: $31,350,000.  Extension signed January 2023

t-25.  Pete Alonso, Orioles: $31,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2025

t-25.  Blake Snell, Giants: $31,000,000.  Free agent contract signed March 2024.  Considering deferrals, the MLBPA calculated the AAV as $29,698,347

t-25.  Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: $31,000,000.  Extension signed March 2014

t-25.  David Price, Red Sox: $31,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2015

t-25.  Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: $31,000,000.  Extension signed November 2018

t-25.  Seth Lugo, Royals: $31,000,000.  Extension signed July 2025

31.  Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: $30,714,286.  Extension signed January 2014

32.  Mookie Betts, Dodgers: $30,416,667.  Extension signed July 2020

33.  Jacob deGrom, Mets: $30,125,000.  Extension signed March 2019

t-34.  Manny Machado, Padres: $30,000,000.  Free agent contract signed February 2019

t-34.  Kyle Schwarber, Phillies: $30,000,000.  Free agent contract signed December 2025

t-34.  Max Scherzer, Nationals: $30,000,000.  Free agent contract signed January 2015.  Counted as $28,689,376 for purposes of luxury tax.

t-34.   Dylan Cease, Blue Jays; $30,000,000.  Free agent contract signed November 2025.  Counted as $26.37MM for purposes of luxury tax.