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 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) watches the game between the Rangers and the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Beltre starts season on DL. The Indians defeat the Rangers 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) watches the game between the Rangers and the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Beltre starts season on DL. The Indians defeat the Rangers 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Adrian Beltre, $201,140,000

One of the Major’s most steady performers over the past decade is the first $200 million man on the career earners list, with more still to come.

Beltre debuted for the Dodgers back in 1998 and initially put up a string of valuable seasons thanks to defensive work at third base with middling results at the plate. Seemingly out of nowhere in 2004, Beltre slugged 48 home runs and put up 9.2 WAR to finish second in the MVP voting in his contract year.

That high level of production turned into a five-year, $64 million deal with Seattle the following offseason. While Beltre never replicated that level of offensive success again, he was worth a solid 17.1 WAR in Seattle over the course of the deal.

Still only in his early 30s, Beltre signed a cheap one-year deal with Boston in an attempt to gain more value in 2010, and put up a strong campaign. Beltre then signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Rangers the next season, and has posted between 4.8 and 6.5 WAR in every season since.

The 38-year-old is on the first season of a two-year, 38 million extension, and could even add more if a current calf injury doesn’t slow him down too much.

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