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 14, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Miguel Cabrera, $216,410,623

One of the greatest hitters of the modern era, Cabrera is just starting a rich deal with the Tigers and will climb into the top five soon enough.

Cabrera found success in the Majors right away as a 20-year-old rookie by helping the Marlins win the 2003 World Series. With free agency looming in 2007 and the Marlins unable to afford his upcoming price tag, Cabrera was traded to Detroit for a huge prospect haul.

The Tigers quickly agreed to extension terms with Cabrera by signing him to an eight-year, $152 million deal a few months later. Cabrera lived up to the contract easily by taking his already stellar offensive production up a notch, and won back-to-back MVP Awards in 2012 and 2013.

As Cabrera was just entering his 30s by the time that extension would end, he had one more big contract left. The Tigers voided the last two years on the previous extension to give Cabrera a new $242 million extension, a record at the time, that will pay him at least $30 million per year up through 2025.

By the end of the contract, Cabrera will break the $400 million plateau, a mark no current player has reached.

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