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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Aug 14, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Mariano Rivera speaks to the crowd during his dedication ceremony before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Mariano Rivera speaks to the crowd during his dedication ceremony before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Mariano Rivera, $169,441,825

As the greatest closer in MLB history, Rivera remains the only reliever to crack the top 30 in career earnings.

After starting his career with the Yankees in 1995 as a starter with middling results, Rivera successfully converted to the bullpen the next season. The Yankees made Rivera the closer in 1997, and he accumulated a record 652 saves before retiring in 2013.

Rivera was awarded $7.25 million in his final arbitration year in 2000, the highest figure ever at the time., and he helped the Yankees win three straight World Series titles. New York kept Rivera from reaching the open market with a four-year contract worth just shy of $40 million, and he only continued to improve.

Following another brief two-year deal, Rivera signed the richest contract of his career at three years and $45 million in the winter of 2007. Rivera enjoyed his best season the next year with a 1.40 ERA and 3.2 WAR to easily live up to the contract.

While Rivera entered his 40s by the end of the deal, New York wasn’t about to let a member of its core leave in free agency. Rivera was still productive enough to earn a two-year deal worth $30 $30 million in December of 2010, and added another $10 million in his final season following an injury-shortened 2012 campaign.

Despite his limitations as a specialist, the five-time World Series champion was worth every penny for the Yankees.

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