SALARYSPORT
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MLB · 2012 SEASON

2012 MLB salaries

$544,408,693 paid to 361 players, Miguel Cabrera the biggest at $21,300,000.

Every man the league paid that season, ranked by what the contract paid him for it. Ten of them took 28.3% of the total.

PAID OUT $544.4m
BIGGEST SALARY $21.3m
PLAYERS PAID 361
AVERAGE $1.5m
OVER $1M 103

The 2012 season at a glance

What the league paid, and how it split

2012

Paid out
$544,408,693
Players paid
361
Average
$1,508,057
Basic salary
76.2%
Signing bonus
23.4%
Top ten hold
28.3%

2011 paid $427,512,898 to 303 players, so 2012 is up 27.3% on the season before it.

The fifteen biggest 2012 salaries

One season, not a career

Top ten hold 28.3%

Miguel Cabrera $21m Justin Verlander $20m Felix Hernandez $20m Matt Holliday $15m Cole Hamels $15m Robinson Cano $14m Zack Greinke $14m Ryan Zimmerman $12m Albert Pujols $12m Ervin Santana $11m Joey Votto $11m Rafael Soriano $11m Adam Wainwright $9.0m Bronson Arroyo $8.4m Anibal Sanchez $8.0m

Every MLB salary in 2012

Ranked by what the season paid

361 players

# Player Club Position Share Career 2012 salary
01 Miguel Cabrera Detroit Tigers Designated Hitter 3.9% $393.2m $21,300,000$21.3m
02 Justin Verlander New York Mets Starting Pitcher 3.7% $394.3m $20,000,000$20.0m
03 Felix Hernandez Baltimore Orioles 3.6% $221.3m $19,750,000$19.8m
04 Matt Holliday Colorado Rockies Outfielders 2.8% $164.6m $15,050,000$15.1m
05 Cole Hamels Los Angeles Dodgers 2.8% $204.4m $15,000,000$15.0m
06 Robinson Cano Atlanta Braves Designated Hitter 2.6% $252.1m $14,000,000$14.0m
07 Zack Greinke Kansas City Royals Starting Pitcher 2.5% $336.2m $13,500,000$13.5m
08 Ryan Zimmerman Washington Nationals 2.2% $140.9m $12,175,000$12.2m
09 Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals Designated Hitter 2.2% $341.7m $12,000,000$12.0m
10 Ervin Santana Kansas City Royals 2.1% $109.7m $11,200,000$11.2m
11 Joey Votto Cincinnati Reds 1st Base 2.0% $262.5m $11,050,000$11.1m
12 Rafael Soriano Toronto Blue Jays Relief Pitcher 2.0% $73.5m $11,000,000$11.0m
13 Adam Wainwright St. Louis Cardinals Starting Pitcher 1.7% $192.0m $9,000,000$9.0m
14 Bronson Arroyo Cincinnati Reds 1.5% $98.5m $8,363,636$8.4m
15 Anibal Sanchez Washington Nationals Starting Pitcher 1.5% $117.3m $8,000,000$8.0m
16 Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Pitcher 1.5% $291.2m $8,000,000$8.0m
17 Jon Lester Washington Nationals Starting Pitcher 1.4% $195.5m $7,625,000$7.6m
18 Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals Catcher 1.3% $163.4m $7,100,000$7.1m
19 Jorge Soler Miami Marlins Designated Hitter 1.3% $73.0m $7,000,000$7.0m
20 Ryan Braun Milwaukee Brewers 1st Base 1.3% $160.7m $7,000,000$7.0m
21 Justin Upton Los Angeles Angels Left Field 1.2% $181.1m $6,750,000$6.8m
22 Yu Darvish San Diego Padres Starting Pitcher 1.2% $266.4m $6,350,000$6.3m
23 Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins Center Field 1.1% $115.3m $6,000,000$6.0m
24 Joakim Soria Arizona Diamondbacks 1.1% $68.2m $6,000,000$6.0m
25 Francisco Liriano Toronto Blue Jays 1.0% $65.1m $5,500,000$5.5m
26 Nelson Cruz San Diego Padres Designated Hitter 1.0% $134.3m $5,500,000$5.5m
27 Johnny Cueto Miami Marlins Starting Pitcher 1.0% $166.0m $5,400,000$5.4m
28 David Price Boston Red Sox Starting Pitcher 1.0% $248.0m $5,283,333$5.3m
29 Carlos Correa Minnesota Twins Shortstop 0.9% $261.9m $4,800,000$4.8m
30 Asdrubal Cabrera Arizona Diamondbacks 0.8% $66.4m $4,550,000$4.5m
31 Evan Longoria Arizona Diamondbacks 3rd Base 0.8% $144.9m $4,500,000$4.5m
32 Brandon Morrow Los Angeles Dodgers 0.7% $52.0m $4,000,000$4.0m
33 Mike Zunino Cleveland Guardians Catcher 0.7% $30.4m $4,000,000$4.0m
34 Albert Almora Cincinnati Reds Center Field 0.7% $8.2m $3,900,000$3.9m
35 Gio Gonzalez Miami Marlins 0.7% $65.2m $3,750,000$3.8m
36 Max Scherzer New York Mets Starting Pitcher 0.7% $374.6m $3,750,000$3.8m
37 Trevor Cahill Pittsburgh Pirates 0.7% $50.7m $3,700,000$3.7m
38 Kurt Suzuki Los Angeles Angels Catcher 0.6% $42.5m $3,387,978$3.4m
39 Pablo Sandoval Atlanta Braves 0.6% $116.6m $3,200,000$3.2m
40 Elvis Andrus Chicago White Sox Shortstop 0.6% $130.8m $3,125,000$3.1m
41 Brett Anderson Milwaukee Brewers 0.6% $62.9m $3,000,000$3.0m
42 Kyle Zimmer Cincinnati Reds Relief Pitcher 0.6% $4.0m $3,000,000$3.0m
43 Max Fried Atlanta Braves Starting Pitcher 0.6% $28.1m $3,000,000$3.0m
44 Stephen Strasburg Washington Nationals Starting Pitcher 0.6% $351.2m $3,000,000$3.0m
45 Lucas Giolito Chicago White Sox Starting Pitcher 0.5% $26.5m $2,925,000$2.9m
46 Brett Gardner New York Yankees Left Field 0.5% $82.4m $2,800,000$2.8m
47 Eloy Jimenez Chicago White Sox Left Field 0.5% $44.9m $2,800,000$2.8m
48 Andrew Heaney Texas Rangers Starting Pitcher 0.5% $50.1m $2,600,000$2.6m
49 Lance McCullers Houston Astros Starting Pitcher 0.5% $100.0m $2,500,000$2.5m
50 Charlie Morton Atlanta Braves Starting Pitcher 0.4% $140.7m $2,445,000$2.4m
51 Corey Seager Texas Rangers Shortstop 0.4% $349.7m $2,350,000$2.3m
52 Dexter Fowler St. Louis Cardinals 0.4% $107.0m $2,350,000$2.3m
53 J.A. Happ Minnesota Twins Starting Pitcher 0.4% $87.8m $2,350,000$2.3m
54 Jordan Zimmermann Milwaukee Brewers 0.4% $128.6m $2,300,000$2.3m
55 Joey Gallo Minnesota Twins 1st Base 0.4% $39.5m $2,250,000$2.3m
56 Deven Marrero New York Mets Shortstop 0.4% $3.2m $2,050,000$2.1m
57 Tzu-Wei Lin New York Mets Shortstop 0.4% $3.0m $2,050,000$2.1m
58 Aroldis Chapman Kansas City Royals Relief Pitcher 0.4% $152.8m $2,025,000$2.0m
59 Michael Wacha San Diego Padres Starting Pitcher 0.3% $55.4m $1,900,000$1.9m
60 Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh Pirates Right Field 0.3% $121.5m $1,850,000$1.8m
61 Chris Stratton St. Louis Cardinals Relief Pitcher 0.3% $10.0m $1,850,000$1.8m
62 Rio Ruiz Baltimore Orioles 0.3% $3.2m $1,850,000$1.8m
63 Anthony Rendon Los Angeles Angels 3rd Base 0.3% $278.4m $1,800,000$1.8m
64 Julio Urias Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Pitcher 0.3% $29.4m $1,800,000$1.8m
65 Marcus Stroman Chicago Cubs Starting Pitcher 0.3% $111.5m $1,800,000$1.8m
66 Bryce Harper Philadelphia Phillies Right Field 0.3% $366.5m $1,750,000$1.8m
67 Joe Smith Minnesota Twins Relief Pitcher 0.3% $48.1m $1,750,000$1.8m
68 Tyler Naquin Cincinnati Reds Left Field 0.3% $9.5m $1,750,000$1.8m
69 Gleyber Torres New York Yankees 2nd Base 0.3% $23.2m $1,700,000$1.7m
70 Lucas Sims Cincinnati Reds Relief Pitcher 0.3% $5.5m $1,650,000$1.6m
71 Tyler Clippard Washington Nationals Relief Pitcher 0.3% $42.9m $1,650,000$1.6m
72 Jurickson Profar Colorado Rockies Left Field 0.3% $32.6m $1,636,557$1.6m
73 Lewis Brinson Houston Astros Center Field 0.3% $3.3m $1,625,000$1.6m
74 Carson Kelly Arizona Diamondbacks Catcher 0.3% $12.5m $1,600,000$1.6m
75 David Robertson New York Mets Relief Pitcher 0.3% $88.9m $1,600,000$1.6m
76 Sergio Romo Oakland Athletics 0.3% $40.4m $1,575,000$1.6m
77 Jose Berrios Toronto Blue Jays Starting Pitcher 0.3% $142.1m $1,550,000$1.6m
78 Jose Castillo San Diego Padres Relief Pitcher 0.3% $4.0m $1,550,000$1.6m
79 Carlos Santana Pittsburgh Pirates 1st Base 0.3% $106.7m $1,501,900$1.5m
80 Daniel Robertson Minnesota Twins Shortstop 0.3% $4.0m $1,500,000$1.5m
81 Jeff Mathis Atlanta Braves 0.3% $23.0m $1,500,000$1.5m
82 Matt Moore Los Angeles Angels Relief Pitcher 0.3% $44.1m $1,500,000$1.5m
83 Wade Davis Kansas City Royals 0.3% $79.0m $1,500,000$1.5m
84 Stephen Piscotty Chicago White Sox Right Field 0.3% $31.2m $1,430,400$1.4m
85 Kevin Plawecki Boston Red Sox Catcher 0.3% $8.3m $1,400,000$1.4m
86 Darren O'Day Atlanta Braves Relief Pitcher 0.2% $50.3m $1,350,000$1.4m
87 Luis Torrens Chicago Cubs Catcher 0.2% $3.8m $1,300,000
88 Ty Buttrey Los Angeles Angels Relief Pitcher 0.2% $2.2m $1,300,000
89 Dylan Bundy Minnesota Twins Starting Pitcher 0.2% $29.3m $1,245,000
90 Luke Bard Tampa Bay Rays Relief Pitcher 0.2% $2.3m $1,227,000
91 Mitch Haniger San Francisco Giants Left Field 0.2% $58.4m $1,200,000
92 Zach Eflin Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher 0.2% $53.9m $1,200,000
93 Pierce Johnson Colorado Rockies Relief Pitcher 0.2% $12.5m $1,196,000
94 Trevor Bauer Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Pitcher 0.2% $114.2m $1,183,333
95 Jed Lowrie Oakland Athletics 2nd Base 0.2% $55.9m $1,150,000
96 Matt Olson Atlanta Braves 1st Base 0.2% $175.7m $1,079,700
97 Andrew Miller St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals 0.2% $78.0m $1,040,000
98 Alcides Escobar Washington Nationals Shortstop 0.2% $28.2m $1,000,000
99 Cameron Maybin Chicago Cubs 0.2% $42.1m $1,000,000
100 Derek Holland Detroit Tigers 0.2% $46.0m $1,000,000
101 Jackson Stephens Atlanta Braves Relief Pitcher 0.2% $2.7m $1,000,000
102 Jesse Winker Seattle Mariners Right Field 0.2% $20.2m $1,000,000
103 Jonathan Lucroy Atlanta Braves 0.2% $29.9m $1,000,000
104 Travis Jankowski Texas Rangers Left Field 0.2% $6.7m $975,000
105 Paul Blackburn Oakland Athletics Starting Pitcher 0.2% $4.6m $911,700
106 Chase De Jong Pittsburgh Pirates Relief Pitcher 0.2% $2.3m $860,000
107 Buster Posey San Francisco Giants Catcher 0.1% $153.8m $790,000
108 Anthony Alford Pittsburgh Pirates Center Field 0.1% $1.9m $750,000
109 Salvador Perez Kansas City Royals Catcher 0.1% $133.7m $750,000
110 Sam Selman Oakland Athletics Relief Pitcher 0.1% $1.7m $750,000
111 Tyrone Taylor Milwaukee Brewers Right Field 0.1% $2.8m $750,000
112 Wyatt Mathisen San Francisco Giants 3rd Base 0.1% $926k $743,600
113 Rich Hill Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Pitcher 0.1% $79.8m $725,000
114 J.T. Chargois Miami Marlins Relief Pitcher 0.1% $3.9m $712,000
115 Alex Wood San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher 0.1% $53.5m $700,000
116 Bruce Maxwell New York Mets 0.1% $1.9m $700,000
117 Sergio Alcantara Chicago Cubs 2nd Base 0.1% $1.8m $700,000
118 Patrick Wisdom Chicago Cubs 3rd Base 0.1% $2.8m $693,000
119 Dylan Cozens Milwaukee Brewers 0.1% $894k $659,800
120 Craig Kimbrel Philadelphia Phillies Relief Pitcher 0.1% $114.3m $590,000
121 Starlin Castro Washington Nationals 0.1% $69.6m $567,000
122 Jason Heyward Los Angeles Dodgers Right Field 0.1% $191.6m $565,000
123 Jose Iglesias Colorado Rockies Shortstop 0.1% $36.2m $562,500
124 Madison Bumgarner Arizona Diamondbacks Starting Pitcher 0.1% $158.2m $560,000
125 Timmy Lopes Colorado Rockies 2nd Base 0.1% $1.1m $550,000
126 Oliver Perez Cleveland Guardians 0.1% $67.1m $540,983
127 Freddie Freeman Los Angeles Dodgers 1st Base 0.1% $285.7m $535,000
128 Michael Pineda Detroit Tigers Starting Pitcher 0.1% $39.3m $528,475
129 Ivan Nova Colorado Rockies 0.1% $40.3m $527,200
130 John Axford Milwaukee Brewers 0.1% $25.3m $525,000
131 Matt Reynolds Cincinnati Reds 3rd Base 0.1% $1.9m $525,000
132 Mark Melancon Arizona Diamondbacks Relief Pitcher 0.1% $103.1m $521,000
133 Ian Kennedy Arizona Diamondbacks Relief Pitcher 0.1% $74.6m $519,500
134 Ian Desmond Colorado Rockies Center Field 0.1% $78.5m $512,500
135 Alex Avila Washington Nationals 0.1% $30.2m $510,000
136 Daniel Hudson Los Angeles Dodgers Relief Pitcher 0.1% $39.5m $504,000
137 Jon Jay Los Angeles Angels 0.1% $34.8m $504,000
138 Eric Hosmer Chicago Cubs 1st Base 0.1% $169.5m $502,500
139 Gerardo Parra Washington Nationals 0.1% $48.0m $502,000
140 Chris Sale Boston Red Sox Starting Pitcher 0.1% $204.2m $500,000
141 Chris Taylor Los Angeles Dodgers 3rd Base 0.1% $75.5m $500,000
142 Mark Trumbo Baltimore Orioles Designated Hitter 0.1% $66.5m $500,000
143 Matt Wieters St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals 0.1% $62.2m $500,000
144 Matt Joyce Philadelphia Phillies 0.1% $27.7m $499,500
145 Greg Holland Kansas City Royals 0.1% $48.9m $497,150
146 Michael Brantley Houston Astros Left Field 0.1% $104.4m $495,300
147 Josh Tomlin Atlanta Braves Relief Pitcher 0.1% $15.4m $494,500
148 Tommy Hunter New York Mets Relief Pitcher 0.1% $36.1m $493,500
149 Wilson Ramos Cleveland Guardians 0.1% $43.5m $491,250
150 Justin Turner Boston Red Sox 3rd Base 0.1% $105.3m $491,209
151 Ruben Tejada Chicago White Sox Shortstop 0.1% $8.3m $491,209
152 Mitch Moreland Oakland Athletics 0.1% $35.4m $491,100
153 Kenley Jansen Boston Red Sox Relief Pitcher 0.1% $140.6m $491,000
154 Carlos Carrasco Cleveland Guardians Starting Pitcher 0.1% $75.0m $488,500
155 Jake Arrieta San Diego Padres Starting Pitcher 0.1% $101.8m $488,500
156 Chris Davis Baltimore Orioles 1st Base 0.1% $194.9m $488,000
157 Javy Guerra Washington Nationals 0.1% $4.1m $488,000
158 Danny Duffy Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Pitcher 0.1% $67.3m $487,750
159 Mike Moustakas Colorado Rockies 3rd Base 0.1% $98.7m $487,250
160 Andrew Cashner Baltimore Orioles Relief Pitcher 0.1% $52.0m $486,100
161 Jason Castro Houston Astros Catcher 0.1% $51.4m $486,000
162 Zack Britton New York Yankees Relief Pitcher 0.1% $79.6m $486,000
163 Anthony Bass Miami Marlins Relief Pitcher 0.1% $10.8m $485,300
164 Craig Stammen San Diego Padres Relief Pitcher 0.1% $23.7m $485,000
165 Dee Gordon Milwaukee Brewers 0.1% $44.5m $485,000
166 Fernando Abad Colorado Rockies Relief Pitcher 0.1% $6.5m $485,000
167 Ross Detwiler Cincinnati Reds Relief Pitcher 0.1% $18.8m $485,000
168 Kyle Seager Seattle Mariners 3rd Base 0.1% $104.4m $484,300
169 Jake McGee Milwaukee Brewers Relief Pitcher 0.1% $44.2m $484,200
170 Josh Harrison Philadelphia Phillies 2nd Base 0.1% $40.0m $484,000
171 Tony Watson Los Angeles Angels 0.1% $26.9m $484,000
172 Jarrod Dyson Kansas City Royals 0.1% $17.7m $483,625
173 Bryan Shaw Chicago White Sox Relief Pitcher 0.1% $38.5m $483,000
174 J.D. Martinez Los Angeles Dodgers Designated Hitter 0.1% $128.4m $483,000
175 Jose Altuve Houston Astros 2nd Base 0.1% $160.9m $483,000
176 Eric Sogard Chicago Cubs 0.1% $9.8m $482,500
177 Mike Minor Kansas City Royals Starting Pitcher 0.1% $61.4m $482,500
178 Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels Center Field 0.1% $480.4m $482,500
179 Pedro Strop Chicago Cubs 0.1% $29.6m $482,500
180 Jason Kipnis Atlanta Braves 0.1% $54.9m $482,100
181 Austin Romine St. Louis Cardinals Catcher 0.1% $10.7m $482,000
182 Jhoulys Chacin Colorado Rockies Starting Pitcher 0.1% $30.2m $482,000
183 Lance Lynn Chicago White Sox Starting Pitcher 0.1% $99.4m $482,000
184 Paul Goldschmidt St. Louis Cardinals 1st Base 0.1% $163.2m $482,000
185 Jose Lobaton Chicago Cubs 0.1% $9.4m $481,500
186 Brandon Belt Toronto Blue Jays 1st Base 0.1% $104.6m $481,000
187 Brandon Crawford San Francisco Giants Shortstop 0.1% $102.9m $481,000
188 Brandon Kintzler Philadelphia Phillies 0.1% $19.8m $481,000
189 Wade Miley Milwaukee Brewers Starting Pitcher 0.1% $54.1m $481,000
190 Lorenzo Cain Milwaukee Brewers Center Field 0.1% $92.8m $480,850
191 Robinson Chirinos Baltimore Orioles Catcher 0.1% $18.2m $480,700
192 Manuel Pina Atlanta Braves Catcher 0.1% $13.7m $480,425
193 A.J. Ramos Los Angeles Angels 0.1% $21.2m $480,000
194 Adam Ottavino New York Mets Relief Pitcher 0.1% $56.8m $480,000
195 Adam Warren New York Yankees 0.1% $12.1m $480,000
196 Alex Cobb San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher 0.1% $91.3m $480,000
197 Anthony Rizzo New York Yankees 1st Base 0.1% $135.1m $480,000
198 Arodys Vizcaino Kansas City Royals Relief Pitcher 0.1% $13.0m $480,000
199 Brad Brach Atlanta Braves Relief Pitcher 0.1% $16.0m $480,000
200 Charlie Blackmon Colorado Rockies Right Field 0.1% $126.5m $480,000
201 Charlie Culberson Atlanta Braves 3rd Base 0.1% $8.0m $480,000
202 Chris Archer Minnesota Twins Starting Pitcher 0.1% $38.3m $480,000
203 Chris Herrmann Boston Red Sox 0.1% $4.6m $480,000
204 Collin McHugh Atlanta Braves Relief Pitcher 0.1% $28.6m $480,000
205 D.J. LeMahieu New York Yankees 2nd Base 0.1% $125.2m $480,000
206 Dallas Keuchel Chicago White Sox Starting Pitcher 0.1% $97.1m $480,000
207 David Phelps Toronto Blue Jays Relief Pitcher 0.1% $22.8m $480,000
208 Didi Gregorius Philadelphia Phillies Shortstop 0.1% $63.0m $480,000
209 Donovan Solano Minnesota Twins 2nd Base 0.1% $12.5m $480,000
210 Drew Butera Houston Astros Catcher 0.1% $10.1m $480,000
211 Drew Hutchison Detroit Tigers Starting Pitcher 0.1% $7.6m $480,000
212 Eduardo Escobar New York Mets 3rd Base 0.1% $46.7m $480,000
213 Freddy Galvis Baltimore Orioles 0.1% $22.1m $480,000
214 Garrett Richards Texas Rangers Starting Pitcher 0.1% $53.9m $480,000
215 Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins Right Field 0.1% $317.3m $480,000
216 Hector Santiago Seattle Mariners 0.1% $20.2m $480,000
217 Hernan Perez Washington Nationals 0.1% $8.0m $480,000
218 Jake Odorizzi Houston Astros Starting Pitcher 0.1% $59.6m $480,000
219 Jeurys Familia Philadelphia Phillies Relief Pitcher 0.1% $48.9m $480,000
220 Jordan Lyles Kansas City Royals Starting Pitcher 0.1% $50.4m $480,000
221 Jordy Mercer Washington Nationals 0.1% $21.9m $480,000
222 Juan Lagares Los Angeles Angels 0.1% $26.2m $480,000
223 Julio Teheran Milwaukee Brewers Starting Pitcher 0.1% $42.1m $480,000
224 Kole Calhoun Texas Rangers Right Field 0.1% $48.6m $480,000
225 Lucas Luetge Atlanta Braves Relief Pitcher 0.1% $4.0m $480,000
226 Luis Avilan Washington Nationals Relief Pitcher 0.1% $10.1m $480,000
227 Martin Maldonado Houston Astros Catcher 0.1% $25.5m $480,000
228 Martin Perez Texas Rangers Starting Pitcher 0.1% $53.8m $480,000
229 Marwin Gonzalez New York Yankees 3rd Base 0.1% $32.9m $480,000
230 Matt Adams Colorado Rockies 0.1% $16.4m $480,000
231 Matt Carpenter San Diego Padres 3rd Base 0.1% $91.9m $480,000
232 Matt Harvey Baltimore Orioles Starting Pitcher 0.1% $31.8m $480,000
233 Michael Fiers Oakland Athletics 0.1% $25.1m $480,000
234 Nate Jones Atlanta Braves 0.1% $16.8m $480,000
235 Nathan Eovaldi Texas Rangers Starting Pitcher 0.1% $106.1m $480,000
236 Nick Vincent Minnesota Twins 0.1% $7.0m $480,000
237 Pete Kozma Oakland Athletics 0.1% $4.2m $480,000
238 Rex Brothers Chicago Cubs 0.1% $6.4m $480,000
239 Rob Brantly New York Yankees Catcher 0.1% $1.7m $480,000
240 Ryan Lavarnway Detroit Tigers Catcher 0.1% $2.3m $480,000
241 Sam Freeman Kansas City Royals Relief Pitcher 0.1% $4.1m $480,000
242 Sean Doolittle Washington Nationals Relief Pitcher 0.1% $23.4m $480,000
243 Shelby Miller Los Angeles Dodgers Relief Pitcher 0.1% $23.1m $480,000
244 Stephen Vogt Oakland Athletics Catcher 0.1% $13.8m $480,000
245 Steve Cishek Washington Nationals Relief Pitcher 0.1% $42.4m $480,000
246 Tim Federowicz Los Angeles Dodgers 0.1% $2.1m $480,000
247 Todd Frazier Pittsburgh Pirates 0.1% $48.1m $480,000
248 Tom Milone Seattle Mariners Starting Pitcher 0.1% $12.8m $480,000
249 Tommy Milone Seattle Mariners Starting Pitcher 0.1% $12.6m $480,000
250 Travis Snider Atlanta Braves Right Field 0.1% $6.0m $480,000
251 Tyler Chatwood Toronto Blue Jays 0.1% $41.8m $480,000
252 Tyler Thornburg Minnesota Twins Relief Pitcher 0.1% $8.7m $480,000
253 Tyson Ross Texas Rangers 0.1% $34.0m $480,000
254 Wade LeBlanc St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals 0.1% $8.6m $480,000
255 Will Harris Washington Nationals Relief Pitcher 0.1% $30.6m $480,000
256 Will Smith Texas Rangers Relief Pitcher 0.1% $45.8m $480,000
257 Wily Peralta Detroit Tigers Relief Pitcher 0.1% $18.1m $480,000
258 Yasmani Grandal Chicago White Sox Catcher 0.1% $102.2m $480,000
259 Yusmeiro Petit Oakland Athletics 0.1% $24.7m $480,000
260 Zach McAllister St. Louis Cardinals Relief Pitcher 0.1% $8.6m $480,000
261 Corey Oswalt New York Mets Relief Pitcher 0.1% $1.5m $475,000
262 Tom Murphy Seattle Mariners Catcher 0.1% $6.0m $454,000
263 Luis Alexander Basabe San Francisco Giants 0.1% $515k $450,000
264 Luis Barrera Oakland Athletics Center Field 0.1% $720k $450,000
265 Ryan Borucki Pittsburgh Pirates Relief Pitcher 0.1% $3.2m $426,000
266 Edmundo Sosa Philadelphia Phillies 3rd Base 0.1% $2.9m $425,000
267 Matt Koch Colorado Rockies Relief Pitcher 0.1% $1.4m $425,000
268 R.J. Alvarez New York Mets Relief Pitcher 0.1% $667k $416,300
269 Domingo Leyba San Diego Padres Shortstop 0.1% $903k $400,000
270 Willy Adames Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop 0.1% $15.3m $400,000
271 Andrew Toles Los Angeles Dodgers Right Field 0.1% $2.0m $394,200
272 Drew VerHagen St. Louis Cardinals Relief Pitcher 0.1% $7.2m $392,500
273 Drew Smyly Chicago Cubs Starting Pitcher 0.1% $62.8m $390,819
274 Austin Dean St. Louis Cardinals Left Field 0.1% $1.1m $379,000
275 Mallex Smith Cincinnati Reds 0.1% $3.2m $375,000
276 Blake Parker Cleveland Guardians 0.1% $7.8m $367,213
277 Josh Donaldson Minnesota Twins 3rd Base 0.1% $152.7m $364,597
278 Francisco Mejia Tampa Bay Rays Catcher 0.1% $5.4m $350,000
279 Jose Quintana New York Mets Starting Pitcher 0.1% $77.2m $348,852
280 Erasmo Ramirez Washington Nationals Relief Pitcher 0.1% $13.8m $330,498
281 Brandon Brennan Seattle Mariners 0.1% $1.7m $320,800
282 Drew Pomeranz San Diego Padres Relief Pitcher 0.1% $52.2m $309,514
283 Joe Kelly Chicago White Sox Relief Pitcher 0.1% $45.8m $304,262
284 Edwin Diaz New York Mets Relief Pitcher 0.1% $124.4m $300,000
285 Patrick Kivlehan San Diego Padres 0.1% $1.4m $300,000
286 Jake Diekman Tampa Bay Rays Relief Pitcher 0.1% $25.2m $299,016
287 Pablo Lopez Miami Marlins Starting Pitcher 0.1% $83.3m $280,000
288 Yairo Munoz Boston Red Sox Shortstop 0.1% $1.5m $280,000
289 Patrick Corbin Washington Nationals Starting Pitcher 0.1% $144.3m $275,415
290 Keury Mella Arizona Diamondbacks 0.1% $636k $275,000
291 Miles Mikolas St. Louis Cardinals Starting Pitcher 0.1% $114.3m $272,786
292 Steven Okert Miami Marlins Relief Pitcher 0.0% $2.5m $270,000
293 Tyler Duffey Minnesota Twins Relief Pitcher 0.0% $8.4m $267,100
294 Adrian Sampson Chicago Cubs Starting Pitcher 0.0% $3.6m $250,000
295 Jacob Wilson Oakland Athletics 2nd Base 0.0% $373k $250,000
296 Javier Guerra Milwaukee Brewers Relief Pitcher 0.0% $1.5m $250,000
297 Jorge Mateo Baltimore Orioles Shortstop 0.0% $4.3m $250,000
298 Tomas Nido New York Mets Catcher 0.0% $6.4m $250,000
299 Yency Almonte Los Angeles Dodgers Relief Pitcher 0.0% $3.6m $250,000
300 Liam Hendriks Chicago White Sox Relief Pitcher 0.0% $62.8m $249,180
301 Max Muncy Los Angeles Dodgers 1st Base 0.0% $39.0m $240,000
302 Ty Blach Colorado Rockies Relief Pitcher 0.0% $2.6m $224,500
303 Aaron Loup Los Angeles Angels Relief Pitcher 0.0% $29.1m $217,704
304 Yan Gomes Chicago Cubs Catcher 0.0% $44.2m $217,704
305 Brad Hand Colorado Rockies Relief Pitcher 0.0% $44.5m $207,217
306 Rob Refsnyder Boston Red Sox Right Field 0.0% $5.6m $205,900
307 Brett Phillips Los Angeles Angels Right Field 0.0% $4.1m $201,900
308 Andrew Velazquez Los Angeles Angels 3rd Base 0.0% $1.8m $200,000
309 Brad Boxberger Chicago Cubs Relief Pitcher 0.0% $15.0m $196,725
310 Starling Marte New York Mets Right Field 0.0% $122.3m $183,610
311 Miguel Castro Arizona Diamondbacks Relief Pitcher 0.0% $15.1m $180,000
312 Joe Hudson Tampa Bay Rays Catcher 0.0% $425k $178,300
313 Jean Segura Miami Marlins 3rd Base 0.0% $89.7m $170,495
314 Eric Stamets Toronto Blue Jays Shortstop 0.0% $227k $169,900
315 Corey Kluber Boston Red Sox Starting Pitcher 0.0% $85.6m $165,249
316 Jake Lamb Los Angeles Dodgers 1st Base 0.0% $16.3m $161,000
317 Trevor Rosenthal San Francisco Giants Relief Pitcher 0.0% $34.9m $152,134
318 Andrelton Simmons Chicago Cubs Shortstop 0.0% $63.4m $149,508
319 Jacob Stallings Miami Marlins Catcher 0.0% $8.4m $148,000
320 Hoby Milner Milwaukee Brewers Relief Pitcher 0.0% $3.2m $140,700
321 Nick Goody Texas Rangers Relief Pitcher 0.0% $2.4m $140,000
322 Drew Steckenrider Seattle Mariners Relief Pitcher 0.0% $6.2m $137,900
323 A.J. Pollock Seattle Mariners Left Field 0.0% $78.5m $136,393
324 Luke Maile Cincinnati Reds Catcher 0.0% $5.0m $133,200
325 Ross Stripling San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher 0.0% $35.6m $130,000
326 Nick Wittgren Kansas City Royals Relief Pitcher 0.0% $6.1m $128,800
327 Dakota Bacus Washington Nationals 0.0% $268k $128,200
328 Austin Adams Arizona Diamondbacks Relief Pitcher 0.0% $3.1m $127,500
329 Anthony Banda Washington Nationals Relief Pitcher 0.0% $2.3m $125,000
330 Chris Rusin Colorado Rockies 0.0% $5.4m $115,409
331 Manny Machado San Diego Padres 3rd Base 0.0% $490.6m $112,786
332 Magneuris Sierra Los Angeles Angels Center Field 0.0% $1.6m $105,000
333 David Bote Chicago Cubs 2nd Base 0.0% $15.4m $100,000
334 Dominic Leone San Francisco Giants Relief Pitcher 0.0% $6.6m $100,000
335 Dylan Floro Miami Marlins Relief Pitcher 0.0% $9.4m $100,000
336 J.B. Wendelken Arizona Diamondbacks Relief Pitcher 0.0% $2.1m $100,000
337 James Pazos Los Angeles Dodgers 0.0% $1.6m $100,000
338 Keone Kela Arizona Diamondbacks Relief Pitcher 0.0% $8.6m $100,000
339 Matt Duffy Kansas City Royals 3rd Base 0.0% $9.5m $100,000
340 Matthew Bowman New York Yankees Relief Pitcher 0.0% $2.1m $100,000
341 Matthew Strahm Philadelphia Phillies Relief Pitcher 0.0% $22.5m $100,000
342 Preston Tucker San Diego Padres Left Field 0.0% $1.9m $100,000
343 Taylor Rogers San Francisco Giants Relief Pitcher 0.0% $50.6m $100,000
344 Justin Wilson Milwaukee Brewers Relief Pitcher 0.0% $23.4m $91,803
345 Avisail Garcia Miami Marlins Right Field 0.0% $86.6m $89,182
346 Brock Holt Texas Rangers 0.0% $13.1m $86,557
347 Francis Martes Houston Astros Relief Pitcher 0.0% $1.2m $78,000
348 Austin Nola San Diego Padres Catcher 0.0% $4.3m $75,000
349 Jharel Cotton Texas Rangers Starting Pitcher 0.0% $2.0m $75,000
350 Rowan Wick Chicago Cubs Relief Pitcher 0.0% $2.0m $75,000
351 Kyle Barraclough Los Angeles Angels Relief Pitcher 0.0% $4.3m $65,000
352 Darin Ruf Milwaukee Brewers 1st Base 0.0% $9.7m $62,952
353 Jose Alvarado Philadelphia Phillies Relief Pitcher 0.0% $26.5m $50,000
354 Thairo Estrada San Francisco Giants 2nd Base 0.0% $3.7m $49,000
355 Josh Hader San Diego Padres Relief Pitcher 0.0% $34.9m $40,000
356 Reynaldo Lopez Chicago White Sox Relief Pitcher 0.0% $10.0m $17,000
357 Daniel Coulombe Baltimore Orioles Relief Pitcher 0.0% $3.6m $15,000
358 Adbert Alzolay Chicago Cubs Starting Pitcher 0.0% $2.1m $10,000
359 Joe Wendle Miami Marlins 3rd Base 0.0% $14.5m $10,000
360 Yonny Chirinos Tampa Bay Rays Relief Pitcher 0.0% $4.8m $10,000
361 Paul Sewald Seattle Mariners Relief Pitcher 0.0% $7.6m $1,000

The career column is everything the same man's contracts are worth across every season he has been paid, which is the ranking the all-time list is built on.

2012 against every other season

What the league paid out, year by year

14 seasons

Frequently asked questions

Who was the highest paid MLB player in 2012?

Miguel Cabrera, $21,300,000 at the Detroit Tigers. That is 3.9% of everything the league paid that season.

How much did MLB players earn in total in 2012?

$544,408,693 across 361 players, an average of $1,508,057 each.

How many MLB players earned $1 million in 2012?

103 of the 361 paid that season.

How does 2012 compare with 2011?

2011 paid $427,512,898 across 303 players. 2012 is up 27.3% on it.

What is in a MLB salary figure?

Everything the contract pays in that season: basic salary, the share of a signing bonus the deal books to the year, incentives and a trade bonus where one applies. It is not a cap hit and it is not a net figure after tax or escrow.

The seasons either side

The same table, 13 other years

2011 MLB salaries · 2013 MLB salaries · 2014 MLB salaries · 2015 MLB salaries · 2016 MLB salaries · 2017 MLB salaries · 2018 MLB salaries · 2019 MLB salaries · 2020 MLB salaries · 2021 MLB salaries · 2022 MLB salaries · 2023 MLB salaries · 2024 MLB salaries · MLB career earnings

Where to next

The seasons, the clubs and the rest of the league

Every season

Every club

Every position

The money lists