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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Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame Inductee Randy Johnson makes his acceptance speech during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame Inductee Randy Johnson makes his acceptance speech during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Randy Johnson, $175,550,019

The Big Unit was a late bloomer, but cracks the top 15 thanks to his longevity and series of hefty contracts near the end of his career.

An original product of the Montreal Expos organization, Johnson was traded to Seattle in 1989 and struggled with his control for a number of seasons. Suddenly in 1993, Johnson was able to cut the walks in half while dramatically improving his strikeout rate to set off an incredible run of success that would last over a decade.

Johnson piled up 248 strikeouts and led the Majors with a 2.48 ERA to win his first Cy Young in 1995, although he never made more than $6.3 million in a single season with the Mariners. Two trades later, Johnson wound up with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and signed his first big contract worth $52 million over four years in 1999.

Over the course of that deal, Johnson won four straight Cy Young Awards and was a crucial cog in Arizona’s run to the 2001 World Series, helping him earn another $31 million with the club in 2003 and 2004. Despite entering his 40s, Johnson remained one of the most dominant pitchers in the game, and the Yankees were willing to dish out another $32 million over two years following a trade prior to the 2005 season.

Johnson earned another $15 million in another stint with Arizona in 2008 at the age of 44, and even managed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants the next season to climb further up the list before retiring.

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