Highest-paid MLB relief pitchers and closers for 2025: Top salaries
Josh Hader, a five-time All-Star and three-time Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award winner, came up just short of breaking the record for the largest contract for a relief pitcher.
Instead, he will settle for being the highest-paid reliever in 2025.
Hader and the Houston Astros agreed to a $95 million deal over the winter. Edwin Diaz's $102 million deal with the New York Mets still stands as the biggest contract ever given to a reliever.
Hader's deal will pay him $19 million this season. Diaz will earn $18.3 million in present-day value because of deferred payments.
Hader's deal with Houston also includes a full no-trade clause with no money deferred and a $1 million bonus if he wins the Mariano Rivera Award as the AL's best relief pitcher.
C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | DH | SP | RP
Who are the highest-paid MLB relief pitchers in 2025?
(In present-day value calculated by MLB)
- Josh Hader, Astros: $19,000,000
- Edwin Diaz, Mets: $18,331,014
- Raisel Iglesias, Braves: $16,000,000
- Ryan Pressly, Cubs: $14,100,000
- Kirby Yates, Dodgers: $13,000,000
- Tanner Scott, Dodgers: $ 12,141,009
- Taylor Rogers, Reds: $12,000,000
- Rafael Montero, Astros: $11,500,000
- A.J. Minter, Mets: $11,000,000
- Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox: $10,750,000
The figures, compiled by Paste BN, are calculated by the MLB Labor Relations Department of the present-day value of contracts including deferrals and signing bonuses.
The figures by MLB and distributed to all teams are intended to reflect the cash obligations in any given year.