Top 10 highest-paid MLB pitchers in 2024: Nationals, Yankees and Rangers dominate the listÂ
MLB pitchers have consistently been some of the highest-paid baseball players in the sport. They are critically important and can be the difference between a team hoisting a World Series trophy and missing the postseason entirely.
This year, quite a few pitchers are making a pretty penny. With 16 making at least $20 million during the 2024 season, here's a closer look at the top 10 highest-paid arms.
Top 10 highest-paid MLB pitchers in 2024
#10 - Luis Castillo ($24,150,000)
Seattle Mariners ace Luis Castillo is making $24,150,000 this season after signing his five-year, $108,000,000 deal during the 2022 season.
#9 - Aaron Nola ($24,571,428)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola agreed to a seven-year deal with the club during the offseason last year and will carry nearly a $25 million salary this season.
#8 - Jordan Montgomery ($25,000,000)
Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $25 million contract for the 2024 season. He signed late into the offseason, missing Spring Training, and has struggled this year.
Montgomery has made 13 starts this season, compiling a 6-5 record with a 6.44 ERA on 65.2 innings of work. Unless he turns it around quickly, this will go down as one of the worst contracts among MLB pitchers.
#7 - Carlos Rodon ($27,833,333)
Carlos Rodon will not be the only New York Yankees pitcher on the list. While making over $27 million this season, his contract does not compare to other MLB pitchers on the list.
#6 - Stephen Strasburg ($35,000,000)
While Stephen Strasburg is making a good chunk of change, he has not thrown off a mound since the 2022 season. He officially retired in April, ending his 13-year MLB career.
#5 - Patrick Corbin ($35,416,670)
Patrick Corbin just slightly edged out Strasburg, but is not doing too well this season. He holds a 1-8 record with a 5.49 ERA through 18 starts.
#4 - Gerrit Cole ($36,000,000)
Gerrit Cole comes in as the highest-paid Yankees pitcher for the 2024 season. He is their ace and was paid as such. He signed a nine-year, $324 million deal in 2020, locking him up through 2028.
While being one of the most dominant MLB pitchers last year, he has not been himself this season. However, he has just returned from injury after dealing with nerve inflammation.
#3 - Jacob deGrom ($40,000,000)
Jacob deGrom ranks third on the list, just a few million short of tying the top spot.
#2 - Justin Verlander ($43,333,333)
Houston Astros veteran starter Justin Verlander just missed out on taking the top spot for the 2024 season. Just one dollar separates Verlander and his former teammate, who comes in as the highest-paid pitcher this season.
#1 - Max Scherzer ($43,333,334)
Max Scherzer takes the top spot with his ginormous salary. However, nobody will catch Shohei Ohtani next season when he is expected to return to the mound. He will almost certainly lead all MLB pitchers with his $70 million salary.