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MLB players are rarely paid huge dollars until well into their careers, which results in some “underpaid” young players and extremely bloated contracts for veterans. These are the most overpaid and underpaid players by position in the 2024 season.
![Underpaid starting pitcher: Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/9/d/9d6d187c9090d8982a6033ffce4b19357802a994/underpaid-starting-pitcher-spencer-strider.jpg)
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images
While Strider is entering the second year of a six-year, $75 million contract, he’s set to be paid only $1 million in 2024. That’s quite a bargain for arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball, as Strider won 20 games and led the league with 281 strikeouts in 32 starts last season.
![Overpaid starting pitcher: Patrick Corbin, Washington Nationals](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1396,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/9/8/98db11962009e493a697aa9bcca62ea2641e6911/overpaid-starting-pitcher-patrick-corbin.jpg)
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images
Washington has to be thrilled Corbin is finally entering the final year of an ill-fated six-year, $140 million contract. The left helped the team win the World Series in the first year of the deal but has been a disaster since then with a combined 5.62 ERA over the last four seasons. He will earn over $35 million this year.
![Underpaid middle reliever: Matt Brash, Seattle Mariners](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/2/9/2948d31a89da8e4eec070275541fb07f92615337/underpaid-middle-reliever-matt-brash-seattle.jpg)
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images
It seemed like only a matter of time before Brash got the chance to close, as he’s one of the game’s most dominant setup men. He won nine games with a 3.06 ERA and 107 strikeouts over 70.2 innings last season, but an injury during spring training may cost Brash most, if not all, of his 2024 campaign.
![Overpaid middle reliever: Daniel Bard, Colorado Rockies](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/3/1/31d7e388add08dc7131c0e53202f580ed3d1607f/overpaid-middle-reliever-daniel-bard-colorado.jpg)
Reggie Hilliard / USA Today Sports Images
Bard was Colorado’s closer when he signed a two-year, $19 million extension late in 2022. He’s regressed since then due to anxiety and injuries, posting a 4.56 ERA and nearly one walk per inning last season. Bard will make $9.5 million this season.
![Underpaid closer: Camilo Doval, San Francisco Giants](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1335,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/b/e/be319174ed92e264639c36f58268e9ff0cd2b24d/underpaid-closer-camilo-doval-san-francisco-giants.jpg)
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images
Doval has become an All-Star closer in San Francisco, throwing triple-digit gas with a 2.77 ERA over three seasons. He also made his first All-Star appearance last year. Doval still makes the league minimum salary.
![Overpaid closer: Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/0/f/0f99968311cbd47bca7424f8f49a403deb25b328/overpaid-closer-robert-suarez-san-diego-padres.jpg)
Orlando Ramirez / USA Today Sports Images
Suarez has a chance to serve as San Diego’s closer this season following the departure of Josh Hader. He’s set to earn $10 million this season but struggled last year with a 4.23 ERA in 26 appearances while fighting shoulder issues.
![Underpaid catcher: William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1339,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/d/5/d50f483e63c33f26f4d28cb2d39784db8b937e35/underpaid-catcher-william-contreras-milwaukee.jpg)
Michael McLoone / USA Today Sports Images
Contreras has quickly become one of the game’s top catchers, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras. The younger Contreras won the Silver Slugger last season after hitting .289-17-78 while also improving his defense. He earns the league minimum salary this season.
![Overpaid catcher: James McCann, Baltimore Orioles](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1364,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/7/4/74c56acbe5fd108d84d974d9f7fb9e94986de4e0/overpaid-catcher-james-mccann-baltimore-orioles.jpg)
Thomas Shea / USA Today Sports Images
The Mets continue to pay the bulk of McCann’s four-year, $40.6 million contract he signed in 2021 before getting shipped to Baltimore last season. He continued to struggle offensively last season as Adley Rutschman’s backup, hitting only .222-6-26 in 226 plate appearances. McCann will make $12.15 million this season.
![Underpaid first baseman: Spencer Torkelson, Detroit Tigers](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1526,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/b/d/bdf83efe7aa39bdbc8f29f7875fec21343c2ab46/underpaid-first-baseman-spencer-torkelson-detroit.jpg)
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA Today Sports Images
The former first overall pick in the draft, Torkelson showed why last season by hitting 31 home runs. He still has some difficulties getting on base but has plenty of time to fix the issues entering his age 24 season. Torkelson will earn the league minimum salary in 2024.
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Overpaid first baseman: Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies
![Overpaid first baseman: Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1599,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/4/9/49820dd0aebdbd9a8073a66a381ba8ec8ef6c6ac/overpaid-first-baseman-kris-bryant-colorado.jpg)
Michael Madrid / USA Today Sports Images
Bryant has provided almost nothing for the Rox in the first two seasons of his seven-year, $182 million contract due to injuries. The former MVP with the Cubs is set to be moved to first base in 2024.
![Underpaid second baseman: Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/7/4/74eb4fe91eda39d3c05b24254a736ef5d27ed451/underpaid-second-baseman-bryson-stott.jpg)
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images
Stott is coming off a breakout season for the Phils after moving to second base. He hit .280-15-62 with 31 stolen bases while playing well defensively, and makes the league minimum in his third MLB season.
![Overpaid second baseman: Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1331,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/9/0/902d4838198eb787e6a1ffea08abeedaa50054fc/overpaid-second-baseman-brandon-lowe-tampa-bay.jpg)
Ed Szczepanski / USA Today Sports Images
While a good offensive player when healthy, Lowe has struggled to stay on the field over the last two seasons. He did hit 21 home runs in 109 games last year, but the Rays need more reliability from their second baseman, earning $8.75 million this season.
![Underpaid third baseman: Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1334,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/e/7/e7c0afd1702c31193a25d4e0891bf13ebeec6b80/underpaid-third-baseman-gunnar-henderson.jpg)
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images
Henderson split time between third base and shortstop last year, but his future is likely to be at the hot corner with top prospect Jackson Holliday on the way. The defending AL Rookie of the Year hit .255-28-82 with an .814 OPS in 150 games last season and draws the league minimum salary.
![Overpaid third baseman: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1250,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/0/8/08ae8afd3b3a736d0548fdfcf0fbeb0611c427c6/overpaid-third-baseman-anthony-rendon-los-angeles.jpg)
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images
Rendon has done little to contribute for the Angels since signing a seven-year, $245 million contract in 2020. He hit only .236-2-22 in 183 plate appearances last season and has yet to play 60 games in a season for the team. Rendon will make nearly $38.6 million in each of the next three seasons.
![Underpaid shortstop: Jeremy Pena, Houston Astros](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1380,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/3/5/35553aee1e207c949d727c799c5146a4c8c87cff/underpaid-shortstop-jeremy-pena-houston-astros.jpg)
Thomas Shea / USA Today Sports Images
Pena struggled in his second MLB season, but he was a Gold Glover who also hit 22 home runs for the Astros in 2022. Regardless of whether he’s able to rebound this year, Pena appears to be a solid bargain earning the league minimum salary.
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Overpaid shortstop: Javier Baez, Detroit Tigers
![Overpaid shortstop: Javier Baez, Detroit Tigers](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/8/3/83fd9c651307812779a4a2ee1ab53791f887bf53/overpaid-shortstop-javier-baez-detroit-tigers.jpg)
Sam Navarro / USA Today Sports Images
Detroit hasn’t gotten much from Baez since he signed a six-year, $140 million contract in 2022. The shortstop was one of the worst players in baseball last season, hitting .222-9-59 with a sub-.600 OPS in 136 games. He will make $25 million this season.
![Underpaid left fielder: Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1433,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/5/c/5c75b494c24c9fa0cdb08c059f0a1b89562de433/underpaid-left-fielder-steven-kwan-cleveland.jpg)
Peter Aiken / USA Today Sports Images
Kwan is overlooked due to his lack of power, but he contributes well in other ways. He’s won back-to-back Gold Gloves in left field and has a strong .356 on-base percentage for his career. The left fielder will still make the league minimum salary in 2024.
![Overpaid left fielder: Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1507,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/5/4/54374f580ea04313c6da1a90da97d22e0d4d2cf2/overpaid-left-fielder-mitch-haniger-seattle.jpg)
Lindsey Wasson / USA Today Sports Images
The Giants traded Haniger just one year after signing him to a two-year, $28 million deal. He struggled with injuries last season and has played a combined 118 games over the last two seasons. The bulk of Haniger’s contract is due this season with a $20 million paycheck.
![Underpaid center fielder: James Outman, Los Angeles Dodgers](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1421,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/8/6/86b5e42acae547ad6b0a5070976b97824b92f886/underpaid-center-fielder-james-outman-los-angeles.jpg)
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images
Outman is one of the Dodgers’ few cheap players, earning the league minimum salary following a great rookie season. The center fielder hit .248-23-70 with 16 stolen bases and excellent defense last year.
![Overpaid center fielder: Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1334,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/5/9/59f7d76dacb3ebd026bbc1a94002482bae7d0763/overpaid-center-fielder-byron-buxton-minnesota.jpg)
Jesse Johnson / USA Today Sports Images
Injuries have plagued Buxton for much of his career, with the outfield reaching 100 games only once over nine seasons. He hit only .207-17-42 in 85 games last season and was stuck at DH due to a knee injury. Buxton hopes to return to center field this season and will earn more than $15.1 million.
![Underpaid right fielder: Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1382,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/5/4/5486a515dbe1c8186ead406cb96a4bfee714d439/underpaid-right-fielder-corbin-carroll-arizona.jpg)
Rob Schumacher / USA Today Sports Images
Carroll claimed the NL Rookie of the Year last season after hitting .285-25-76 with 54 stolen bases. He will make $3.625 million in 2024 after signing a long-term contract.
![Overpaid right fielder: Starling Marte, New York Mets](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1426,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/9/c/9c0c1ad02cfef5b3ecc79244dd1e813d20e0391a/overpaid-right-fielder-starling-marte-new-york.jpg)
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images
A groin injury has nagged Marte over the last two seasons and limited him to only 86 games last year. He hit .248-5-28 with 24 steals when he did play. The outfield has a sizeable $20.75 million salary in 2024.
![Underpaid designated hitter: Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1333,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/b/2/b21c8567ed0397f521ff8aa8d7b4be7f68e8e20d/underpaid-designated-hitter-brent-rooker-oakland.jpg)
Neville E. Guard / USA Today Sports Images
A former first-round pick, Rooker found his footing with an opportunity in Oakland last season. He was Oakland’s All-Star representative and hit 30 home runs in 137 games. Rooker earns the league minimum salary and is arbitration-eligible next year.
![Overpaid designated hitter: Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees](http://res.cloudinary.com/ybmedia/image/upload/c_crop,h_1331,w_2000,x_0,y_0/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_700/v1/m/9/7/9716a95fa6f07a3cb32a95cf57ba4fbf39e3fedf/overpaid-designated-hitter-giancarlo-stanton-new.jpg)
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images
Stanton has made five All-Star appearances in his career but isn’t the same player he was in Miami due to age and injuries. He hit .191-24-60 in 101 games last season, finishing with a sub-.700 OPS. Stanton will earn $32 million this year.
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