Fansided

30 highest career MLB salaries

By Nathaniel Reeves

Aug 12, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) waves to the fans after playing his final game as a Yankee against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) waves to the fans after playing his final game as a Yankee against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 30
Next
Apr 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Ichiro Suzuki (51) looks on in the dugout prior to the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Ichiro Suzuki (51) looks on in the dugout prior to the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

21. Ichiro Suzuki, $166,331,483

Despite making his MLB debut at the age of 27, Ichiro became the highest-paid player to ever emerge from the NPB ranks while putting together a career worthy of Hall of Fame induction.

Originally considered too small to make the jump to the Majors, Ichiro garnered attention from a number of MLB teams by hitting .353 over nine seasons in Japan. After putting up a posting fee of $13 million, the Mariners gave Ichiro a three-year, $14 million prior to the 2001 season, his first in the states.

Ichiro lived up to the hefty price tag and then some by winning the MVP with a .350/.381/.457 line as a rookie. The Mariners then gave Ichiro $44 million over four years on his second contract, and he went on to set a new single-season record with 262 hits as part of a career-best 7.1 WAR campaign in 2004.

That level of production didn’t drop much as Ichiro entered his mid-30s, and the Mariners gave him another hefty contract worth $90 million over five years in the summer of 2007. Ichiro put up a strong 13.6 WAR over the first three years of the contract, and was dealt to the Yankees at the 2012 deadline with free agency looming.

The veteran wasn’t done quite yet, and earned $13 million over two seasons in New York. Even at age 43, Ichiro has continued to post above replacement value numbers and is currently earning $2 million on his third straight one-year deal with the Miami Marlins.

While Ichiro will soon be passed by younger players earning more annually, he doesn’t appear ready to retire anytime soon.

Home/MLB