Who is the highest-paid relief pitcher in MLB? Mets' Edwin Diaz makes history
Edwin Diaz, perhaps the best closer in baseball last season, signed the richest contract in baseball history for a relief pitcher. The New York Mets closer agreed to a five-year, $102 million deal in the offseason after his All-Star season. Díaz went 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 32 saves in 35 chances last year, making his second All-Star team.
Díaz’s deal broke the previous high for a reliever, set when Aroldis Chapman returned to the New York Yankees after the 2016 season for a five-year, $86 million deal. Chapman voided the last two years and reached a $48 million, three-year contract that brought his earnings to $104 million over six seasons.
Who are the highest-paid MLB relief pitchers in 2023?
Here's the top 10:
1. Edwin Díaz, N.Y. Mets, $18,444,242
T-2. Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta, $16,000,000
T-2. Kenley Jansen, Boston, $16,000,000
4. Liam Hendriks, Chicago White Sox, $14,333,333
5. Josh Hader, San Diego, $14,100,000
6. Ryan Pressly, Houston, $14,000,000
7. Rafael Montero, Houston, $11,500,000
T-8. Craig Kimbrel, Philadelphia, $10,000,000
T-8. Drew Pomeranz, San Diego, $10,000,000
T-8. David Robertson, N.Y. Mets, $10,000,000
T-8. Robert Suarez, San Diego, $10,000,000
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Who is the highest-paid closer in MLB?
New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz agreed to a five-year, $102 million deal in the offseason after his All-Star season. Díaz went 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 32 saves in 35 chances this year, making his second All-Star team. Díaz’s deal broke the previous high for a reliever, set when Aroldis Chapman returned to the New York Yankees after the 2016 season for a five-year, $86 million deal. Chapman voided the last two years and reached a $48 million, three-year contract that brought his earnings to $104 million over six seasons.
What are the biggest contracts ever for a relief pitcher in MLB?
Here's the list, by total value:
1. Edwin Diaz, $102,000,000 (2023-27)
2. Aroldis Chapman, $86,000,000 (2017-21)
3. Kenley Jansen, $80,000,000 (2017-21)
3. Mark Melancon, $62,000,000 (2017-19)
Source: Paste BN Sports, Cot's Baseball Contracts