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 8, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Carlos Beltran (15) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Carlos Beltran (15) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Carlos Beltran, $221,952,782

At age 40, Beltran is still producing enough to garner a decent salary in free agency, helping him vault into the top five for the time being.

Beltran debuted in 1998 with Kansas City and quickly displayed a strong five-tool arsenal, winning the Rookie of the Year Award in his first full season. With three straight campaigns of at least 5.4 WAR in 2004, Kansas City was unlikely to afford Beltran’s first major contract, and shipped him to the Astros in a three-team deal.

The Mets won a hotly contested bidding war for Beltran during the next offseason with a seven-year, $117 million bid. Beltran was named to five All-Star games during the period, and was traded to San Francisco in 2011 just prior to reaching free agency again.

St. Louis added Beltran on a two-year, $26 million deal, and he continued to hit well enough to earn $45 million with the Yankees from 2013-2016. With a 124 wRC+ in his age 39 season, Beltran was still valuable enough to receive $16 million from Houston in 2017.

Beltran has been worth the hefty pay sum in his career, as he is one of the most prolific switch-hitters in history and has been consistently tremendous in the postseason.

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