We’ve signed some huge free agent deals over the past few seasons. Aaron Judge set a new standard when he agreed to a nine-year, $360 million deal with the Yankees during the 2022 Winter Meetings.
But that record wouldn’t last long. Shortly after the conclusion of the 2023 Winter Meetings, Shohei Ohtani ended his highly publicized free agency by agreeing to a monumental deal with the Dodgers worth a whopping $700 million over ten years. He also set a record for average annual value by far. Here are the 10 largest free agent contracts in MLB history, both in terms of total value and average annual value. 1) Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers: 10 years, $700 million (2024-2033)Oh. When Ohtani hit free agency after the 2023 season, on his way to his second AL MVP award in three years, it was a given that he would set a record for the largest contract in MLB history. By many estimates he was approaching or exceeding $500 million, and perhaps even $600 million. That also turned out to be low. Ohtani’s deal nearly doubles the previous record for total dollars guaranteed on a new contract, and perhaps that’s appropriate given his two-way status (though elbow surgery will keep him off the mound in 2024).And this goes beyond MLB or baseball in general. Ohtani’s new deal is believed to be the largest given by any team to any athlete in the history of the sport. However, it’s worth noting that according to MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand, Ohtani’s deal includes what one source called “unprecedented differences,” including the majority of his salary. 2) Aaron Judge, Yankees: 9 years, $360 million (2023-31)Judge bet on himself when he rejected the Yankees’ $213.5 million extension offer just before Opening Day in 2022, and it paid off. The 6-foot-4 outfielder had perhaps the best free agent walk of all time, winning the AL MVP Award after setting an AL record with 62 home runs and flirting with the Triple Crown. Despite serious overtures from the hometown Giants, Judge chose to return to the Yankees. 3) Bryce Harper, Phillies: 13 years, $330 million (2019-31)Harper’s impending free agency defined his final season with the Nationals and dominated headlines until the second week of Spring Training games, and a number of factors conspired along the way to put Bryce at the top of this list. At the time, his deal was the largest free agent contract in the history of the four major North American professional sports. Harper won his second National League MVP award in 2021 and led the Phillies to a World Series appearance in 2022, earning NLCS MVP honors along the way. 4) Corey Seager, Rangers: 10 years, $325 million (2022-31)Seager earned his historic contract after slashing .306/.394/.521 with 16 home runs, 57 RBI and a .915 OPS in 95 games for the Dodgers in 2021. This came a year after finishing ninth in 2020 National League MVP voting, earning MVP honors in both the NLCS and World Series en route to a title run in Los Angeles. In addition to his two postseason MVP Awards, Seager was also the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year and was a two-time All-Star before signing his historic contract at age 27. Top 10 free agent contracts by average annual value1. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers: $70 million (2024-2033)2t. Max Scherzer, Mets: $43,333,333 (2022-2024)2t. Justin Verlander, Mets: $43,333,333 (2023-24)4. Aaron Judge, Yankees: $40 million (2023-31)5. Jacob deGrom, Rangers: $37 million (2023-27)6. Gerrit Cole, Yankees: $36 million (2020-28)7t. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals: $35 million (2020-26)7t. Anthony Rendon, Anges : 35 millions de dollars (2020-26)9. Zack Greinke, D-Backs : 34 416 666 $ (2016-21)10. Trevor Bauer, Dodgers : 34 millions de dollars (2021-23)
Leave a Reply