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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Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) salutes the fans after the loss against the Cleveland Indians in game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) salutes the fans after the loss against the Cleveland Indians in game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

24. David Ortiz, $159,512,500

A lack of defensive ability didn’t stop Ortiz from securing nearly $160 million over the course of his career as one of the most prolific designated hitters in MLB history.

Originally a member of the Mariners organization, Ortiz was sent to Minnesota in 1996 and made his major league debut the next summer. Six barely above replacement-level seasons with the Twins resulted in Ortiz being non-tendered in 2002 with under $2 million to date in career earnings.

The Boston Red Sox took a chance on Ortiz in 2003 with a non-guaranteed contract that awarded him $1.25 million for making the 25-man roster. Ortiz responded with a career-best 145 wRC+ and 31 home runs, leading to a two-year, $12.5 million extension the following May.

Boston won its first World Series in 86 years in 2004, with Ortiz putting up a 147 wRC+ in addition to huge numbers in the postseason. While Ortiz’s biggest contract was a four-year, $52 million deal with the Rex Sox in the spring of 2006, he remained productive enough in the final stages of his career to sign a series of short deals worth $12.5 to 16 million annual until retiring in 2016.

While Ortiz’s overall value was limited to just 50.5 WAR as a DH, the Red Sox will gladly take the career 140 wRC+ and three World Series titles for the $159 million price tag.

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