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 /
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 10: Chipper Jones is honored before the game against the New York Mets at Turner Field on April 10, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves won 5-3. (Photo by Patrick Duffy/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 10: Chipper Jones is honored before the game against the New York Mets at Turner Field on April 10, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves won 5-3. (Photo by Patrick Duffy/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) /

19. Chipper Jones, $168,552,133

The Braves locked up a beloved franchise icon with a series of contract extensions to make him one of the most prolific earners in MLB history.

Jones debuted briefly with Atlanta in 1993 at the age of 21 and quickly developed into a force at the pate three years later with a 144 wRC+. Following two straight MVP seasons, the Braves signed Jones to a six-year, $90 million contract in the summer of 2000, his third straight campaign of 6.0 WAR or more.

That deal lasted through Jones’ age 34 season, but Atlanta wasn’t about to let the face of the team hit free agency. The Braves gave Jones a three-year, $37 million contract in the winter of 2005, and he continued to produce with a combined 17.9 WAR over those three seasons.

Just days before the start of the 2009 season, Jones earned another three-year deal, this time worth $42 million. While Jones fell off somewhat after that, he still put up no worse than a 119 wRC+ leading up to his retirement in 2012.

Jones spent all 19 seasons of his big league career with the Braves, piling up 84.6 WAR with 468 home runs.

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