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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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Apr 10, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Justin Verlander, $170,515,000

At just 34 years of age with over $170 million already to his name, Verlander figures to close his career as one of the highest MLB earners ever.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 MLB Draft only took a few months to sign a $4.45 million contract over five years. Verlander provided tremendous value on his first deal by winning the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year Award with two other further appearances in the All-Star Game.

After earning no more than $3.6 million in a single season during his first five years, Verlander was rewarded with a five-year, $80 million extension. Verlander unanimously won the AL Cy Young Award in 2011 with a 2.40 ERA while becoming the first starting pitcher to earn MVP honors since 1986.

Detroit voided the final two seasons of that extension with a new six-year deal worth $162 million in March of 2013, surpassing the record mark set by Hernandez a month earlier. While the contract looked disastrous in the early stages, Verlander bounced back last season with 5.2 WAR, finishing second the CY Young voting behind former teammate Rick Porcello.

Verlander still has three years and $76 million left on his contract, which could top $250 million depending on incentives by the end of 2020.

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