List of highest paid Major League baseball players - Wikipedia List of highest paid Major League baseball players This article needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. ( January 2017 ) Alex Rodriguez earned the highest salary in MLB in 2013 at $29,000,000. He also has the highest career earnings in MLB history. The highest paid player in Major League Baseball ( MLB ) from the 2013 season is New York Yankees ' third baseman Alex Rodriguez with an annual salary of $29,000,000, $4 million higher than the second - highest paid player, Cliff Lee. MLB does not have a hard salary cap, instead employing a luxury tax which applies to teams whose total payroll exceeds certain set thresholds for a given season. Free agency did not exist in MLB prior to the end of the reserve clause in the 1970s, allowing owners before that time to wholly dictate the terms of player negotiations and resulting in significantly lower salaries. Babe Ruth, widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players ever, earned an estimated $910,696 ( $14,341,967 inflation - adjusted from 1931 dollars ) over his entire playing career. When asked whether he thought he deserved to earn $80,000 a year ( $1,146,932 inflation - adjusted ), while the president, Herbert Hoover, had a $75,000 salary, Ruth famously remarked, `` What the hell has Hoover got to do with it ? Besides, I had a better year than he did. '' Rodriguez has signed two record - breaking contracts over the course of his career. First, he signed a $252 million, 10 - year contract with the Texas Rangers in December 2000 ( $350,462,609 inflation - adjusted from 2000 dollars ). Sandy Alderson called the deal `` stupefying '', while Sports Illustrated noted that Rodriguez 's early salaries under the contract ( $21 million ) would be greater than the annual payroll of the entire Minnesota Twins team that year ( $15.8 million ). The deal was the largest sports contract in history, doubling the total value of Kevin Garnett 's $126 million National Basketball Association contract ( the previous record holder ) and more than doubling Mike Hampton 's $121 million contract, the previous MLB record which had been signed just days before. The Rangers later traded Rodriguez to the Yankees in exchange for Alfonso Soriano before the 2004 season, though they agreed to pay $67 million of the $179 million outstanding on the contract. Despite this, he opted out of the remainder of his deal after the 2007 season and renegotiated a new $275 million, 10 - year agreement with the Yankees, breaking his own record for the largest sports contract. Under this deal, Rodriguez also receives $6 million each if and when he ties the career home run totals of Willie Mays ( 660 ), Babe Ruth ( 714 ), Hank Aaron ( 755 ), and Barry Bonds ( 762 ), along with another $6 million for breaking Bonds ' mark. First base was the highest paid position in 2010 ; regular starters at that position earned an average salary of $9,504,165 in compared to an overall average of $3,014,572. Pitcher Nolan Ryan was the first player to earn an annual salary above $1 million, signing a $4.5 million, 4 - year contract with the Houston Astros in 1979. Kirby Puckett and Rickey Henderson signed the first contracts which paid an average of $3 million a year in November 1989, while 2010 was the first season where the MLB average salary rose above that same mark. Five of the twenty highest paid players in 2013 were members of the Yankees. Their team payroll for 2013 was $228,835,490, roughly $12 million above the second - largest Los Angeles Dodgers. The Yankees have drawn criticism for their payroll, with some claiming it undermines the parity of MLB. Contents 1 Key 2 Highest annual salaries in 2015 3 Career earnings 4 Salary progression 5 See also 6 Footnotes 7 References Key Key Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum 1B First baseman 2B Second baseman 3B Third baseman SS Shortstop LF Left fielder CF Center fielder RF Right fielder Catcher SP Starting pitcher RP Relief pitcher DH Designated hitter Highest annual salaries in 2015 This table refers to the salary for 2015 alone, not the overall average value of the contract. Name Position Team ( s ) Salary Ref Clayton Kershaw SP Los Angeles Dodgers $32,571,428 Justin Verlander SP Detroit Tigers $28,000,000 Ryan Howard 1B Philadelphia Phillies $25,000,000 Cliff Lee SP Philadelphia Phillies $25,000,000 Zack Greinke SP Los Angeles Dodgers $25,000,000 Felix Hernandez SP Seattle Mariners $24,907,142 Albert Pujols 1B Los Angeles Angels $24,050,000 Prince Fielder DH Texas Rangers $24,050,000 Robinson Cano 2B Seattle Mariners $24,000,000 Mark Teixeira 1B New York Yankees $23,125,000 Career earnings Though retired since 2007, Barry Bonds ' career earnings of over $188 million still ranks fourth highest overall in MLB history. Earnings up to date as of the end of the 2013 season. Name Team ( s ) Position Years Earnings Ref Rodriguez, Alex Alex Rodriguez Seattle Mariners Texas Rangers New York Yankees SS, 3B 1994 -- 2016 $353,416,252 Jeter, Derek Derek Jeter New York Yankees SS 1995 -- 2014 $253,159,364 Ramirez, Manny Manny Ramirez Cleveland Indians Boston Red Sox Los Angeles Dodgers Chicago White Sox Tampa Bay Rays LF 1993 -- $206,827,769 Bonds, Barry Barry Bonds Pittsburgh Pirates San Francisco Giants LF 1986 -- 2007 $188,245,322 Johnson, Randy Randy Johnson Montreal Expos Seattle Mariners Houston Astros Arizona Diamondbacks New York Yankees San Francisco Giants SP 1988 -- 2009 $175,550,019 Rivera, Mariano Mariano Rivera New York Yankees RP 1995 -- 2013 $169,441,825 Jones, Chipper Chipper Jones Atlanta Braves 3B 1993 -- 2012 $168,552,133 Sheffield, Gary Gary Sheffield Milwaukee Brewers San Diego Padres Florida Marlins Los Angeles Dodgers Atlanta Braves New York Yankees Detroit Tigers New York Mets RF 1988 -- 2009 $168,008,550 Helton, Todd Todd Helton Colorado Rockies 1B 1998 -- 2013 $161,490,000 Beltrán, Carlos Carlos Beltrán Kansas City Royals Houston Astros New York Mets San Francisco Giants St. Louis Cardinals New York Yankees Houston Astros CF, RF 1998 -- $160,952,782 Santana, Johan Johan Santana Minnesota Twins New York Mets SP 2000 -- $155,997,269 Maddux, Greg Greg Maddux Chicago Cubs Atlanta Braves Los Angeles Dodgers San Diego Padres SP 1986 -- 2008 $153,845,000 Suzuki, Ichiro Ichiro Suzuki Seattle Mariners New York Yankees RF 2001 -- $152,631,483 Griffey, Jr., Ken Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners Cincinnati Reds Chicago White Sox CF 1988 -- 2010 $151,703,682 Clemens, Roger Roger Clemens Boston Red Sox Toronto Blue Jays New York Yankees Houston Astros SP 1984 -- 2007 $150,601,000 Halladay, Roy Roy Halladay Toronto Blue Jays Philadelphia Phillies SP 1998 -- 2013 $148,991,666 Hunter, Torii Torii Hunter Minnesota Twins Los Angeles Angels Detroit Tigers CF 1997 -- $146,555,000 Sabathia, CC CC Sabathia Cleveland Indians Milwaukee Brewers New York Yankees SP 2001 -- $146,357,142 Delgado, Carlos Carlos Delgado Toronto Blue Jays Florida Marlins New York Mets 1B 1993 -- 2011 $146,299,000 Martínez, Pedro Pedro Martínez Los Angeles Dodgers Montreal Expos Boston Red Sox New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies SP 1992 -- 2010 $146,259,585 Salary Progression Nolan Ryan ( pictured ) became the first player to earn an average salary above $1 million in 1979. Precisely 17 years later Albert Belle became the first player to average above $10 million a year. This list documents the progression of the highest average annual value contracts / contract extensions. Average annual salary Date signed Name Team Position Contract duration ( Years ) Ref ( s ) $ 01170000 ! 1,170,000 01 ! November 19, 1979 Ryan, Nolan Nolan Ryan Houston Astros SP 03 ! 3 $ 02500000 ! 2,500,000 02 ! December 15, 1980 Winfield, Dave Dave Winfield New York Yankees RF 10 $ 02600000 ! 2,600,000 03 ! September 4, 1985 Murray, Eddie Eddie Murray Baltimore Orioles 1B 05 ! 5 $ 02633333 ! 2,633,333 03.1 ! February 16, 1989 Hershiser, Orel Orel Hershiser Los Angeles Dodgers SP 03 ! 3 $ 02970000 ! 2,970,000 04 ! November 17, 1989 Saberhagen, Bret Bret Saberhagen Kansas City Royals SP 03 ! 3 $ 03000000 ! 3,000,000 05 ! November 22, 1989 Puckett, Kirby Kirby Puckett Minnesota Twins CF 03 ! 3 $ 03200000 ! 3,200,000 06 ! December 1, 1989 Langston, Mark Mark Langston California Angels SP 05 ! 5 $ 03250000 ! 3,250,000 07 ! December 11, 1989 Davis, Mark Mark Davis Kansas City Royals SP 04 ! 4 $ 03500000 ! 3,500,000 08 ! January 17, 1990 Stewart, Dave Dave Stewart Oakland Athletics SP 02 ! 2 $ 03750000 ! 3,750,000 09 ! January 22, 1990 Clark, Will Will Clark San Francisco Giants 1B 04 ! 4 $ 03860000 ! 3,860,000 10 ! April 9, 1990 Mattingly, Don Don Mattingly New York Yankees 1B 05 ! 5 $ 04700000 ! 4,700,000 11 ! June 28, 1990 Canseco, Jose Jose Canseco Oakland Athletics RF / DH 05 ! 5 $ 05380000 ! 5,380,000 12 ! February 2, 1991 Clemens, Roger Roger Clemens Boston Red Sox SP 04 ! 4 $ 05800000 ! 5,800,000 13 ! December 2, 1991 Bonilla, Bobby Bobby Bonilla New York Mets 3B / RF 05 ! 5 $ 07100000 ! 7,100,000 14 ! March 2, 1992 Sandberg, Ryne Ryne Sandberg Chicago Cubs 2B 04 ! 4 $ 07290000 ! 7,290,000 15 ! December 6, 1992 Bonds, Barry Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants LF 06 ! 6 $ 08500000 ! 8,500,000 16 ! January 31, 1996 Griffey, Jr., Ken Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle Mariners CF 04 ! 4 $ 11000000 ! 11,000,000 17 ! November 19, 1996 Belle, Albert Albert Belle Chicago White Sox LF 05 ! 5 $ 11450000 ! 11,450,000 18 ! March 20, 1997 Bonds, Barry Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants LF 02 ! 2 $ 11500000 ! 11,500,000 19 ! August 10, 1997 Maddux, Greg Greg Maddux Atlanta Braves SP 05 ! 5 $ 12500000 ! 12,500,000 20 ! December 10, 1997 Martínez, Pedro Pedro Martínez Boston Red Sox SP 06 ! 6 $ 13000000 ! 13,000,000 21 ! October 26, 1998 Piazza, Mike Mike Piazza New York Mets 07 ! 7 $ 13333333 ! 13,333,333 22 ! November 25, 1998 Vaughn, Mo Mo Vaughn Anaheim Angels 1B 06 ! 6 $ 15000000 ! 15,000,000 23 ! December 12, 1998 Brown, Kevin Kevin Brown Los Angeles Dodgers SP 07 ! 7 $ 15450000 ! 15,450,000 24 ! August 11, 2000 Clemens, Roger Roger Clemens New York Yankees SP 02 ! 2 $ 17000000 ! 17,000,000 25 ! October 20, 2000 Delgado, Carlos Carlos Delgado Toronto Blue Jays 1B 04 ! 4 $ 25200000 ! 25,200,000 26 ! December 10, 2000 Rodriguez, Alex Alex Rodriguez Texas Rangers SS 10 $ 27500000 ! 27,500,000 27 ! December 13, 2007 Rodriguez, Alex Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees 3B 10 See also Baseball portal Business and economics portal Highest - paid NBA players by season List of player salaries in the NHL List of highest paid American television stars List of highest paid film actors List of highest paid mayors List of salaries Footnotes `` Earnings '' as discussed here refers to salaries paid to players under MLB contracts and does not include advertising or other sources of income. All values are listed in nominal dollars. `` Average annual value '' is calculated as the total value of a contract ( less bonuses ) divided by the number of years. A $20 million / 2 year contract would have an average annual value of $10 million, even if the player actually received $9 million one season and $11 million in the other. This also does not include contracts for less than a season prorated in value for a full season such as Roger Clemens ' 2006 and 2007 contracts. All values are listed in nominal dollars. Dave Winfield initially negotiated a 10 - year deal in 1980 worth a projected $25 million ( $2.5 million per year ). However, Yankees ' owner George Steinbrenner reportedly had not fully understood a cost of living adjustment provision in it and the 10 - year contract was renegotiated a few months later. The final precise value is unclear, although it fell between $20 and $25 million in total value ( $2 -- $2.5 million a year ). Hershiser and Frank Viola both won the 1988 Cy Young Award and Viola signed an identically - sized $7.9 million, 3 - year contract two months after Hershiser. Rickey Henderson signed a $12 million, 4 - year contract with the Oakland Athletics on November 28, 1989, 6 days after Puckett signed his $9 million, 3 - year contract. Roger Clemens signed a contract extension during the 2000 season covering 2001 and 2002 along with a player option for 2003. Clemens was paid $10.3 million each year for 2001 and 2002, with the same $10.3 million available if he elected to play in 2003 under his option. However, Clemens also received $10.3 million if he rejected the option. As a result, he could effectively collect the full $30.9 million of contract value for only two years of play ( $15.45 million annually ). However, the Yankees valued this deal as a $10.3 million annually, three - year deal. He became a free agent after the 2002 season and ultimately re-signed with the Yankees for a new, one - year contract in which they bought out the previous option. References Bibliography `` USA Today Salaries Database -- Top 25 ''. USA Today. Retrieved April 26, 2011. `` Highest Career and Single - Season Salaries ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Footnotes Jump up ^ `` MLB players, owners announce five - year labor deal ''. ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 25, 2006. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Bloom, Barry ( March 10, 2009 ). `` Fehr does not foresee a salary cap ''. MLB.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Babe Ruth Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Hampton, Wilborn ( 2009 ). Babe Ruth : A twentieth - century life. New York : Viking. p. 162. ISBN 978 - 0 - 670 - 06305 - 5. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Stewart, Wayne ( 2006 ). Babe Ruth : A biography. Westport, Connecticut : Greenwood Press. p. 93. ISBN 0 - 313 - 33596 - 6. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` $252,000,000 : A-Rod, Rangers agree to richest deal in sports history ''. Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. December 14, 2000. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Selig gives blessing to mega-merger ''. ESPN.com. February 17, 2004. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Rodriguez finalizes $275 M deal with Yankees ''. ESPN.com. December 13, 2007. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` MLB 's average salary eclipses $3 M for first time ''. ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 13, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Belth, Alex ( December 2, 2005 ). `` From Catfish to A-Rod : Landmark moments from baseball 's free - agent era ''. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Salary Progression Chart ''. Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. December 14, 2000. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 2013 MLB Salaries by team ''. USA Today. Retrieved October 1, 2013. Jump up ^ Nightengale, Bob ( April 11, 2010 ). `` Parity ? Yankees, Red Sox loom large for smaller market teams ''. USA Today. Retrieved March 6, 2011. Jump up ^ Kepner, Tyler ( April 6, 2010 ). `` Edginess Over the Yankees ' Payroll ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 6, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Clayton Kershaw ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Justin Verlander ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Ryan Howard ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Cliff Lee ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Zack Greinke ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Felix Hernandez ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Albert Pujols ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Prince Fielder ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Robinson Cano ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Mark Teixeira ''. Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 03. ^ Jump up to : `` Alex Rodriguez Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Derek Jeter Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Manny Ramirez Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Barry Bonds Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Randy Johnson Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Mariano Rivera Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Chipper Jones Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Gary Sheffield Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Todd Helton Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Carlos Beltran Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Johan Santana Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Greg Maddux Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Ichiro Suzuki Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Ken Griffey, Jr. Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Roger Clemens Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Roy Halladay Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Torii Hunter Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013. Jump up ^ `` CC Sabathia Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Carlos Delgado Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Pedro Martinez Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` MLB Baseball - Salary Progression Chart ''. Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. December 11, 2000. Retrieved March 22, 2011 -- via CNNSI.com. Jump up ^ `` Nolan Ryan Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Dave Winfield Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Chass, Murray ( December 16, 1980 ). `` Yanks Sign Winfield for up to $25 million ; $1.5 million for first year Winfield becomes Yankee ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Eddie Murray Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Boswell, Thomas ( September 6, 1985 ). `` Eddie Murray 's new contract surpasses all others ''. Anchorage Daily News. The Washington Post. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Orel Hershiser Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( February 17, 1989 ). `` Another record for Hershiser : $7.9 million Dodger contract ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Bret Saberhagen Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Saberhagen highest paid in baseball ''. Philadelphia Inquirer. November 18, 1989. Jump up ^ `` Kirby Puckett Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( November 23, 1989 ). `` Puckett hits the Jackpot : First $3 million man ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Mark Langston Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Chass, Murray ( December 2, 1989 ). `` Angels and Langston agree on $16 million ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Mark Davis Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Durso, Joseph ( December 12, 1989 ). `` Mark Davis signs with Royals for $13 million ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Dave Stewart Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Dave Stewart agrees to contract ''. Harlan Daily Enterprise. Associated Press. January 18, 1990. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Will Clark Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Will Clark package zooms to $15 million ''. The New York Times. Associated Press. January 23, 1990. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Don Mattingly Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Anderson, Dave ( April 11, 1990 ). `` Sports of the Times ; Mattingly : Yankees ' last tradition ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Jose Canseco Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Koppett, Leonard ( June 28, 1990 ). `` Canseco gets his pitch : $23.5 million from A 's ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( February 9, 1991 ). `` Baseball ; Clemens signs for more than $5 million a year ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Bobby Bonilla Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( December 3, 1991 ). `` Baseball ; How Bonilla got Mets to empty their pockets ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Ryne Sandberg Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( March 3, 1992 ). `` Sandberg becomes highest - paid player, for now ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( December 6, 1992 ). `` Baseball ; Giants make investment : $43 million in Bonds ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( February 1, 1996 ). `` Baseball ; Griffey becomes the first $8 million dollar man ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Albert Belle Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Smith, Claire ( November 20, 1996 ). `` Belle signs the richest deal : 5 years, $55 million ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Extension gives Bonds top salary ''. The New York Times. February 21, 1997. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ Schwartz, Jerry ( August 11, 1997 ). `` Maddux 's deal heads salary list ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( December 11, 1997 ). `` Baseball ; Martinez 's $75 million for 6 years raises bar ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Mike Piazza Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Diamos, Jason ( October 25, 1998 ). `` Baseball ; The Mets agree to make Piazza baseball 's richest player ; Leiter says he is close to a $32 million deal ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Mo Vaughn Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( November 27, 1998 ). `` Baseball : On baseball ; Boston, with Vaughn gone, now ca n't win for signing ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Kevin Brown Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Diamos, Jason ( December 13, 1998 ). `` Baseball : Brown becomes the richest in baseball ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Olney, Buster ( August 12, 2000 ). `` Clemens ' New Deal is most unusual ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ Chass, Murray ( October 21, 2000 ). `` Plus : Baseball ; Delgado becomes top - paid player ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Rocket relaunch : Clemens rejoins Astros ''. ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 1, 2006. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Roger Clemens 2006 Pitching Gamelogs ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Clemens to make about $4.5 million per month ''. ESPN.com. May 7, 2007. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Olney, Buster ( May 30, 2007 ). `` If inclined, Yankees would need Rocket 's OK on trade ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Durso, Joseph ( February 9, 1981 ). `` Dave Winfield finds baseball and business the perfect mix ''. The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Winfield finishes business with Yankees and Padres ''. The New York Times. February 3, 1981. Jump up ^ Richman, Milton ( February 15, 1981 ). `` Today 's Sport Parade ''. United Press International. Jump up ^ `` Viola gets big pact, loss ''. Spokane Chronicle. Associated Press. April 20, 1989. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Rickey Henderson Statistics and History ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Paying it forward : The Mets ' cash troubles are epitomized by the story of Bobby Bonilla ''. Retrieved August 12, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Clemens staying put in pinstripes : Yankees ' ace re-signs in pursuit of win No. 300 ''. Edmonton Journal. December 31, 2002. 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Question: who is the highest paid athlete in the mlb
Answer: New York Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez