The Los Angeles Dodgers gave two Chinese players who won their team’s MVP last year, helped Japan win a gold medal in the 2023 WBC Classic, and were highly sought after by nearly every major business team record-breaking deals this winter.
With a combined$ 127 million, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto may presently play together, making their methods of earning significantly different. Ohtani’s$ 67 million in 2024 earnings includes only$ 2 million in salary from the Dodgers, while Los Angeles gave Yamamoto a$ 50 million signing bonus, which represents the bulk of his$ 60 million income this year.
Ohtani broke the bank with his$ 700 million, 10- time deal with the Dodgers, but his lease details are as unique as the two- means feeling, with 97 % of the money deferred. The annual value varies depending on whether you break it down over 10 years ($ 70 million ), for luxury tax purposes ($ 46.1 million ), for the players union calculations ($ 43.8 million ), over the 20 years it will be paid ($ 35 million ) or its 2024 payout ($ 2 million ).

There are no restrictions on how much of an MLB deal may be deferred, as long as people are receiving the MLB minimum wage, which is$ 740, 000 in 2024. The Dodgers may give Ohtani$ 68 million every between 2034 and 2043, and clubs do have to pay for the delay ‘ current value.
Ohtani will receive more than any other ball player despite receiving a modest salary in 2024 thanks to his support portfolio, which has also reached unicorn status in comparison to the rest of the game. His 2024 off- field earnings are estimated at$ 65 million, or 60 % more than the rest of the top 15 combined, Bryce Harper ranks second in endorsement earnings at$ 7 million. Ohtani’s endorsement profile comps are more akin to global stars in basketball ( Lebron James, Stephen Curry ) and soccer ( Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi ) than anything in baseball.
He has almost 20 support deals ideal now, with the most important being New Balance. This year, Ohtani, the brand’s main character, made a new logo for the trainer brand. The walk to the Dodgers helped uncover yet more off- area value for Ohtani, who, in six years playing for the crosstown Angels, always made the playoffs. The Dodgers are the 2024 World Series friends entering the year and have made the playoffs 11 times in a row.
In December, Yamamoto signed a$ 325 million, 12- time cope with the Dodgers—the team was also on the hook for a$ 50.6 million “posting” charge to his previous Nippon Professional Baseball group, the Orix Buffaloes. The MLB signing fee is more than twice as high as the earlier history for an international person. Masahiro Tanaka held the record for the$ 55 million contract he signed with the New York Yankees in 2014. The Dodgers ‘ bronze worked with Yamamoto because of Ohtani’s significant delay.
Yamamoto already received$ 20 million of his signing bonus, and$ 30 million is due July 1, his 2024 base salary is$ 5 million. The 25- year- ancient will generate an estimated$ 5 million off the field this year via a seven- figure Nike deal, as well as agreements with Fanatics, Com2uS portable games and many Asian sponsors.
MLB’s top 15 earners will make a combined$ 647 million in 2024, up 7 % from a year ago. Off- field earnings represent only 16 % of this total, which drops to 7 % when excluding Ohtani’s endorsement riches. Five teams landed multiple players in the top 15, including a trio of Yankees ( Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, Juan Soto ) and Texas Rangers ( Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, Corey Seager ). The top 15 pitchers included six players, but Yamamoto is the only one who will take the mound to start the season because the rest have injuries or are recovering from surgery. Ohtani will bat in 2024 but wo n’t start as he recovers from an elbow operation in September.
MLB had record revenue in 2023, but teams overall reduced their free agent spending this year as well as their big ticket purchases. Teams have spent$ 2.8 billion so far on free agents, per Spotrac, down 27 % from the year before, even accounting for the Dodgers ‘ 10- figure spending spree—it drops to$ 2.6 billion if you use the present value of Ohtani’s deal. There were 12 free agents who signed contracts worth at least$ 85 million last offseason, but just five this year.
While Jordan Montgomery is still unsigned, critics have been slammed against uber-agent Scott Boras for what are perceived as smaller than anticipated deals for some renominated clients like Cody Bellinger and Blake Snell. However, Boras clients predominate when it comes to examining the highest-paid sportsmen. Boras Corp. represents fewer than 10 % of the players on MLB rosters, but the firm’s clients make up 60 % of the 25 highest salaries in baseball for 2024.
No potential incentives are included in the earnings, which are based on cash payouts from 2024. The year they are paid are protected compensation and signing bonuses. Through conversations with those familiar with MLB endorsement deals, off-field earnings estimates were compiled. Also factored in is income from memorabilia, appearances, media and businesses tied to their celebrity. The figures are all included before any agent fees and taxes.
Salary:$ 2 million | Endorsements:$ 65 million | Age: 29
In 2023, Ohtani became the first player to be unanimously chosen twice and won his second MVP award. He has endorsement deals in the U. S. and Japan that include BOSS, Porsche, Kowa, Seiko and Kosé. His off-field earnings are seven times what Derek Jeter earned at his best. The only active athlete on the planet with more than$ 65 million in endorsements in the last year is LeBron James.
Salary:$ 55 million | Endorsements:$ 5 million | Age: 25
After the big signing bonus, Yamamoto’s Dodgers compensation dips in 2025 ($ 10 million ) and 2026 ($ 12 million ), but then pays between$ 26 million and$ 29 million for the last nine years of the contract—none of the money is deferred. He won the pitching Triple Crown each year, leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA, and was the Pacific League MVP the previous three seasons.
Salary:$ 52 million | Endorsements:$ 2 million | Age: 39
As a result of his back surgery, Mad Max will be sidelined for the first season until 2024. After a midseason trade from the New York Mets to the Rangers, he received his second World Series ring. The three-time Cy Young Award winner will receive$ 8.7 million in delayed compensation this year under the terms of his previous Washington Nationals contract. This is on top of this$ 43.3 million salary.
Salary:$ 40 million | Endorsements:$ 6 million | Age: 31
The Yankees captain has increased his off-field skill over the past year. He signed for Nike’s Jordan Brand in 2023, and he was recently named Ralph Lauren’s new face,” Polo Est.” 67″. The 67 refers to the year Lauren founded the fashion house—not Judge’s height ( 6- foot- 7 ). The 2022 MVP also has deals with Rawlings, Waiākea Water, United Legwear and TallOrder socks, as well as several other deals likely coming this year.
Salary:$ 43.3 million | Endorsements:$ 1.2 million | Age: 41
Verlander’s base salary matches Scherzer for the highest in the game in 2024. They are the only active pitchers with no-hitters, multiple Cy Young Awards, and multiple World Series titles on their respective resumes. Verlander has a$ 35 million player option for the following year if he pitches 140 innings in 2024 and passes a physical examination that indicates his right arm is healthy to begin the 2025 season. He generates income from endorsement deals with Ford, Nike, and Rawlings.
Salary:$ 41 million | Endorsements:$ 2.5 million | Age: 33
In February, Altuve signed a five- year extension worth$ 125 million that kicks off next season. A$ 15 million signing bonus was provided in 2024 as well. He has a second-best all-time record for runs scored and home runs after the postseason. His partners are Franklin, Wilson, HEB, New Balance, Topps, GTSM and 2 Hoots Hard Iced Tea.
Salary:$ 35.5 million | Endorsements:$ 5 million | Age: 32
The three-time MVP had a successful season last year, but he was sidelined for the third straight year due to injuries and had his on-base and slugging percentages at their lowest levels. His 12- year,$ 426.5 million contract was the richest in the sport before Ohtani’s new pact. The deal pays$ 35.5 million each season through 2030. He is partnering with businessman John Ruga on an 18- hole course designed by Tiger Woods near Trout’s hometown of Millville, N. J.
Salary:$ 40 million | Endorsements:$ 400, 000 | Age: 35
The Rangers signed deGrom to a$ 185 million, five- year deal ahead of the 2023 season, but injury struck the righthander again with a second Tommy John surgery in June. He has only pitched 255 innings for the past four seasons, and he wo n’t be expected to return until at least August 2024. When deGrom does pitch, he is elite. His career WHIP is the second-lowest in the sport’s history, trailing only Addie Joss, who put up his glove more than a century ago.
Salary:$ 34.5 million | Endorsements:$ 4 million | Age: 29
In his first season in Texas in 2022, Seager bounced back from a bad year and placed second in the American League MVP voting. The Rangers won the World Series MVP and won their first title since the shortstop, which made the shortstop even more dominant in the postseason. The success boosted his off- field earnings, and his endorsements include Adidas, Rawlings, Raising Canes, T- Mobile and New Era.
Salary:$ 38 million | Endorsements:$ 250, 000 | Age: 33
It has been a struggle for Rendon since he signed a$ 245 million, seven- year contract ahead of the 2020 season. He has only played 200 games in four seasons, and his total wins are only 3.2 % above his WAR. The Angels owe the third baseman until 2026 an annual salary of$ 38 million. In 2023, Rendon was given a four-game suspension for an altercation with a fan on Opening Day.
Salary:$ 36 million | Endorsements:$ 2 million | Age: 33
Up until Yamamoto and Ohtani’s December deals, Cole held the record for the largest contract ever for a pitcher. The first four seasons of the nine- year,$ 324 million deal have been money well spent by the Yankees as the righty finished fourth, second, ninth and first in Cy Young voting. His endorsement partners are Nike, Fanatics and Topps.
Salary:$ 36 million | Endorsements:$ 1.5 million | Age: 29
The shortstop’s 2024 compensation includes a$ 32 million base salary and$ 4 million from his signing bonus from the six- year,$ 200 million contract he signed with the Twins last year. The agreement also includes club options for 2029 to 2032 that are guaranteed by certain plate appearance requirements or end-of-year awards.
Salary:$ 31 million | Endorsements:$ 3 million | Age: 25
Soto was shipped to the Yankees in December by the San Diego Padres to lower costs and add player depth. By agreeing to a$ 31 million salary for the 2024 season and hoping to keep him there for a long time, the Yankees avoided arbitration with Soto. Yamamoto is the only other player under the age of 29 and Soto is the youngest among the top 15. His endorsement partners are Under Armour, Wilson, Sorare, New Era and Topps.
Salary:$ 26 million | Endorsements:$ 7 million | Age: 31
Harper is currently in his sixth season of the$ 33 million contract he signed in 2019, but Boras pushed the possibility of an extension to the incoming Hall of Famer at the winter meetings of MLB. Harper’s annual salary is$ 26 million through the 2028 season before it dips to$ 22 million the final three years of his contract. Harper’s long- time partners include Under Armour, Gatorade, Rawlings and Blind Barber.
Salary:$ 32 million | Endorsements:$ 250, 000 | Age: 34
Since the Yankees signed the slugger from the Miami Marlins in the offseason of 2018, he has only made one All-Star team. Stanton’s 13- year,$ 325 million contract was the richest in the history of the sport when it was signed in 2014. Between 2026 and 2028, the Marlins will receive$ 30 million of the remaining contract.