Who is highest-paid pitchers in MLB in 2025? Top salaries.
The Philadelphia Phillies made it a priority to make sure that ace Zack Wheeler wasn’t going to hit free agency.
So before the 2024 season, the Phillies and Wheeler agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract extension − the highest annual average salary in a contract extension in baseball history.
His $42 million salary in 2025 ranks second to outfielder Juan Soto of the New York Mets ($61.9 million).
We must note that two-way player Shohei Ohtani, who agreed to a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2024 season, will average $70 million per year. But because of his heavily deferred deal, he will make much less than that in present-day value.
C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | DH | SP | RP
Who are the highest-paid MLB starting pitchers in 2025?
(In present-day value calculated by MLB)
1 - Zack Wheeler, Phillies − $42,000,000
2 - Jacob deGrom, Rangers − $40,000,000
3 - Gerrit Cole, Yankees − $36,000,000
4 - Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks − $30,791,435
5 - Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers − $30,000,000
6 - Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers − $28,213,523
7 - Carlos Rodon, Yankees − $27,833,333
8 - Blake Snell, Dodgers − $26,825,953
T-9 - Sonny Gray, Cardinals − $25,000,000
T-9 - Jack Flaherty, Tigers − $25,000,000
T-9 - Robbie Ray, Giants − $25,000,000
12 - Aaron Nola, Phillies − $24,571,428
13 - Luis Castillo, Mariners − $24,150,000
14 - Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays − $23,000,000
15 - Jordan Montgomery, Diamondbacks − $22,500,000
T-16 - Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays − $22,000,000
T-16 - Chris Sale, Braves − $22,000,000
18 - Pablo Lopez, Twins − $21,750,000
19 - Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers − $21,534,832
20 - Nick Martinez, Reds − $21,050,000
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.