Baseball’s Highest-Paid Players 2025

Forbes Baseball's Highest Paid Players 2025: Summary

Key Concepts: Highest paid baseball players, single-season earnings, salary, signing bonus, endorsements, deferred compensation, MLB marketing, athlete endorsements, revenue generation.

Introduction: MLB's Landmark Paydays

Major League Baseball (MLB) is projected to have two players exceeding $100 million in single-season earnings in 2025, a milestone surpassing the NFL. This is driven by a combination of salary, signing bonuses, and lucrative endorsement deals.

Juan Soto: Highest Paid Player via Contract

New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto is projected to earn $106.9 million in 2025, making him baseball's highest-paid player.
This is primarily due to his 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, potentially rising to $885 million.
His earnings comprise a $46.9 million salary, a $75 million signing bonus, and $5 million in endorsements.
Soto joined the Mets as the most coveted free agent of the offseason.

Shohei Ohtani: High Earnings Through Endorsements and Deferred Salary

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani will also reach the $100 million mark in 2025, primarily through endorsements.
While his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers includes a deferred payment structure (97% deferred until 2034 and beyond), resulting in a $2 million annual salary, his off-field earnings are estimated at $100 million.
Ohtani's endorsement portfolio is one of the most lucrative in sports.

Comparison to Other Sports and Historical Context

Previously, Ohtani's $65 million in 2023 was MLB's top earnings figure.
No NFL player has exceeded Dak Prescott's $96.3 million in a single league year (2024).
Only eight other team sports athletes have crossed the $100 million threshold in a single season: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Kareem Benzema.
Ohtani is one of only four active athletes to earn $100 million off the field in 12 months, alongside Conor McGregor, Tiger Woods, and Roger Federer.

Baseball's Endorsement Landscape

MLB has historically lagged behind other major sports in marketing opportunities due to its rigorous schedule and regionalized fan base.
Outside of Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper lead in endorsements with an estimated $8 million each.
Derek Jeter's $9 million in endorsements (pre-retirement in 2014) was a high mark until recently.

Shohei Ohtani's Unique Marketing Power

Ohtani is sponsored by over 20 companies, including New Balance, Beats by Dre, and Fanatics in the US, and Kowa skincare, Kowa Pharmaceuticals, and Seiko watches in Japan.
His popularity in Japan drives significant viewership and endorsement opportunities, exceeding those of US athletes.
His image is prominently featured on billboards and products throughout Japan.

Overall Financial Impact

Baseball's 10 highest-paid players are set to earn a combined $576 million in 2025, a 25% increase from 2024's $462 million.
Blake Snell also beat Ohtani's previous MLB earnings mark by totaling an estimated $65.6 million this season.

Conclusion

The 2025 MLB season marks a significant financial milestone with two players, Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani, projected to earn over $100 million. While Soto's earnings are primarily driven by his lucrative contract, Ohtani's are fueled by unprecedented endorsement deals, particularly in the Japanese market. This reflects a shift in MLB's financial landscape and the growing importance of endorsements in athlete compensation.