Spring Training Buzz and Major Offseason Moves
The Opening Day of the 2025 MLB season isn’t until March 18th, with the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers facing off against the Chicago Cubs in Japan. However, spring training is already in full swing, and the excitement is palpable. The Dodgers have once again made headlines with their aggressive offseason moves, signing Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki just one season after securing both Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. These deals have not only boosted the Dodgers’ roster but have also set new benchmarks in MLB contract history. As fans and experts alike speculate about the impact of these massive deals, it’s worth taking a closer look at the 10 largest contracts in MLB history, based on Spotrac data.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto: A New Era of Pitching Excellence
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 25-year-old contract stands out as the largest ever given to a pitcher in MLB history. He narrowly surpassed Gerrit Cole’s nine-year, $324 million deal with the Yankees by signing a colossal deal. Yamamoto was posted by the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball last winter, following one of the most dominant stretches in Japanese baseball. A three-time Pacific League Most Valuable Player, Yamamoto boasts a lifetime ERA of 1.82, which is a testament to his extraordinary skill and consistency. Since joining the Dodgers, he has put up impressive numbers, including a 7-2 record, 90 innings pitched, a 3.00 ERA, 105 strikeouts, and a 1.111 WHIP in the 2024 season. His impact on the team has been significant, and fans are eager to see what the future holds for this young ace.
Giancarlo Stanton: The King of Power Hitting
In 2014, Giancarlo Stanton signed a deal that was the richest in MLB history at the time. The contract expires after the 2027 season, marking a significant investment in his talent. Stanton was traded to the Yankees just three seasons after signing the extension, a move that only amplified his stardom. Since his deal, he has been named the 2022 All-Star Game MVP, the 2017 National League MVP, earned Silver Slugger honors in 2017, and made three more All-Star Game appearances. His stat line after the extension includes a .249 batting average, a .334 on-base percentage, and a .516 slugging percentage, with 275 home runs and 704 RBIs. His OPS+ of 131 underscores his ability to produce runs and dominate at the plate.
Corey Seager: A Star Shortstop’s Journey
Corey Seager had already established himself as a playoff hero before signing with the Texas Rangers prior to the 2022 season. His deal, which runs through 2031 when he will be 37, has proven to be a wise investment. Seager has been a three-time All-Star since the extension and had an outstanding 2023 season, finishing as the American League MVP runner-up, winning a Silver Slugger award, and being named the World Series MVP. His post-deal stat line includes a .280 batting average, a .350 on-base percentage, and a .524 slugging percentage, with 96 home runs, 253 RBIs, and a 143 OPS+. Seager’s combination of hitting and fielding has made him a cornerstone of the Rangers’ lineup.
Bryce Harper: The Magnificent Outfielder
Bryce Harper spent his entire career with the Washington Nationals before making a bold move to join the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies in 2019. His 13-year deal is the longest given to a free agent and was the largest in MLB history at the time of signing. Since his extension, Harper has won the 2021 NL MVP, the 2022 NLCS MVP, made the All-Star team twice, and earned Silver Slugger honors three times. His stat line after the deal includes a .285 batting average, a .391 on-base percentage, and a .533 slugging percentage, with 152 home runs, 455 RBIs, and a 149 OPS+. Harper’s consistent performance and leadership have solidified his status as one of the game’s premier players.
Fernando Tatis Jr.: Youth and Promise
Fernando Tatis Jr. made history at the young age of 22 by signing a massive deal with the San Diego Padres in 2021. The contract, which is far from the only long-term commitment on the Padres’ books, will take him through the 2034 season, at which point he will be 35. Since his extension, Tatis has made the All-Star team twice and has been awarded one Gold Glove and one Silver Slugger award. His stat line after the extension includes a .271 batting average, a .341 on-base percentage, and a .514 slugging percentage, with 88 home runs, 224 RBIs, 65 stolen bases, and a 134 OPS+. His dynamic play and potential make him a key figure in San Diego’s future plans.
Francisco Lindor: A Trade and a Record-Breaking Deal
Francisco Lindor was the face of the Cleveland franchise until he was traded to the New York Mets in 2020. He quickly agreed to a record-breaking extension with the Mets, which runs through the 2031 season. The deal includes $50 million in deferred money, paid out in $5 million annual installments from 2032 to 2041. Since his extension, Lindor has been named the 2024 NL MVP runner-up and has won two Silver Slugger awards. His stat line after the extension includes a .259 batting average, a .336 on-base percentage, and a .461 slugging percentage, with 110 home runs, 359 RBIs, 86 stolen bases, and a 122 OPS+. Lindor’s impact on the Mets’ lineup and defense has been invaluable.
Manny Machado: Consistency and Success
Manny Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres in 2019 free agency and then re-upped with the team for a jaw-dropping $350 million. The deal will end when Machado is 43 years old, making it one of the most significant long-term investments in MLB history. Since his extension, Machado has been named a Silver Slugger one time. His stat line after the extension includes a .267 batting average, a .322 on-base percentage, and a .467 slugging percentage, with 59 home runs, 196 RBIs, and a 116 OPS+. Machado’s consistent performance and leadership have been crucial for the Padres’ success.
Aaron Judge: A Modern-Day Slugger
Before 2022, Aaron Judge bet on himself and made history by slugging an AL-record 62 home runs, securing his $360 million deal in the process. The deal will take him through the 2031 season, at which point he will be 39. Judge has been a consistent force for the Yankees, winning the 2024 AL MVP, making the All-Star team twice, and recording the highest OPS+ by a right-handed hitter in MLB history in 2024 (223). His stat line after the deal includes a .300 batting average, a .438 on-base percentage, and a .666 slugging percentage, with 95 home runs, 219 RBIs, and a 204 OPS+. Judge’s power and precision at the plate have made him a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the Yankees’ lineup.
Mookie Betts: A Well-Rounded MVP
Mookie Betts was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, and he quickly signed a 12-year extension with an MLB-record $65 million signing bonus. Betts played a pivotal role in delivering a World Series title to Los Angeles in the same year he signed the deal. Since his extension, Betts has been named to the All-Star team three times, won a Gold Glove in 2022, been named a Silver Slugger twice, and finished in the top five of MVP voting twice. His stat line after the extension includes a .288 batting average, a .373 on-base percentage, and a .527 slugging percentage, with 116 home runs, 322 RBIs, and a 145 OPS+. Betts’ well-rounded game and leadership have been instrumental for the Dodgers.
Mike Trout: Persevering Through Injuries
Mike Trout signed his deal in 2019, which extends through the 2030 season, at which point he will be 39. Despite missing 417 out of a possible 870 games due to injuries, Trout has still amassed four All-Star selections, won the 2019 AL MVP, and been named a Silver Slugger twice. His stat line after the extension includes a .281 batting average, a .397 on-base percentage, and a .598 slugging percentage, with 138 home runs, 306 RBIs, and a 168 OPS+. Trout’s ability to perform at such a high level, even with limited playing time, underscores his status as one of the game’s best players.
Shohei Ohtani: The Dual-Threat Revolution
Shohei Ohtani spent the first six seasons of his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels before making a groundbreaking move to the Dodgers in 2023. His record-breaking contract includes $680 million deferred and will end after he turns 39. Ohtani is one of just nine players in MLB history with multiple 40-HR and 20-SB seasons, and he is the only player to have won unanimous MVP awards multiple times. In 2021, he hit 46 home runs and was the only AL pitcher to hold opponents to a batting average under .200 while pitching over 130 innings. His stat line after the deal includes a .310 batting average, a .390 on-base percentage, and a .646 slugging percentage, with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases. On the mound, he has an impressive 38-19 record, 481.2 innings pitched, a 3.01 ERA, 608 strikeouts, and a 1.082 WHIP. Ohtani’s versatility and dominance have redefined what it means to be a two-way player in the modern era.
Juan Soto: The Longest and Largest Contract
Juan Soto’s 15-year deal with the New York Mets has not only set the record for the longest contract in MLB history but also the largest. This deal tops even Ohtani’s, ensuring that Soto will be 40 years old when the contract is complete. A five-time Silver Slugger and four-time All-Star, Soto is the 2020 batting champion and has three top-five finishes in MVP voting. He has led the league in walks three times, in on-base percentage twice, and in slugging and OPS once. His career stats include a .285 batting average, a .421 on-base percentage, and a .532 slugging percentage, with 201 home runs, 592 RBIs, 769 walks, 395 extra-base hits, and a 160 OPS+. Soto’s ability to draw walks and hit for power has made him a critical asset for the Mets, and his deal reflects the team’s commitment to his talent and potential.
The Future of MLB Contracts and Player Impact
These massive contracts underscore the evolving landscape of Major League Baseball, where top-tier players are valued more highly than ever before. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ aggressive moves in securing pitchers like Sasaki and Yamamoto, along with the star power of Ohtani and Soto, highlight the team’s commitment to building a powerhouse roster. The New York Yankees and Mets have also shown their willingness to invest heavily in talent, with Judge and Soto’s deals setting new standards for player compensation. As fans and analysts alike look forward to the 2025 season and beyond, these contracts will undoubtedly shape the narrative and performance of the league’s most prominent players and teams. Whether these investments pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the future of MLB is filled with star power and unprecedented financial commitments.
