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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Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) in the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) in the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Zack Greinke, $178,503,000

With four full years remaining on the highest most expensive contract in baseball in terms of annual value, Greinke will soon rank even further up MLB’s all-time earner list.

Greinke started his career with the Kansas City Royals organization in 2004 and initially turned in a number of solid if unspectacular seasons. After nearly retiring early in his career, Greinke suddenly became a force in  2009 with a whopping 8.6 WAR to win the AL Cy Young Award while on a valuable four-year, $38 million deal.

As Kansas City was unlikely to be able to afford Greinke when he was set to hit free agency, it traded him to the Brewers for a strong prospect haul prior to the 2011 season. Greinke continued to put up impressive numbers, but couldn’t secure a long-term contract with Milwaukee, leading to him being dealt again to the Angels in 2012.

The Dodgers finally gave Greinke his first big contract a few months later at six years and $147 million. Following an outstanding 2015 campaign where he put up 1.66 WAR, Greinke opted out of his deal to sign a six-year, $206.5 million deal with Arizona, an annual salary of $34 million per season.

Greinke will be paid by deferments through 2026 and will end up topping the $290 million mark even if he doesn’t sign another contract later on.

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