Mets' $765M star pushing MLB to historic highs

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Juan Soto is the big reason why the New York Mets continue to lead in MLB salaries. The outfielder is raking in $61.9 million per annum (15-year, $765 million), playing a big role in the Mets' league-leading $352 million payroll.

The Los Angeles Dodgers come second with $317 million. However, if the present-day value of their nine deferred contracts is considered, Shohei Ohtani's team would have led the MLB in payroll with $395.2 million. Then again, if we include the present-day value of the Mets' deferred contracts, their payroll would jump to $360 million.

According to a study conducted by Associated Press, the MLB salaries have reached a record high this season. The average salary on 2026 Opening Day was an all-time high of $5.34 million, 3.4% higher than last year. The salaries for major stars in MLB have been going record high with each season

Interestingly, the Mets' payroll is five times higher than the Cleveland Guardians'. However, money alone doesn't buy you a spot in October, as the Mets didn't make the postseason last year, while the Guardians played the wild card round.

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Juan Soto leads MLB players in 2026 salaries

For the second straight year, Juan Soto leads the league with his whopping $60M+ salary. Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger comes second with his $42.5 million salary. After a prolonged negotiation during the offseason, Bellinger inked a five-year, $162.5 million deal.

In third comes Phillies ace Zack Wheeler and Mets third baseman Bo Bichette. Both are slated to earn $42.5 million in salaries. Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who signed a $500 million extension last year, comes in fifth with a $42 million salary.

Interestingly, neither pair of Dodgers sluggers, Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Tucker, is part of the list. They are not even close for that matter. Tucker, who signed a four-year, $240 million contract this past offseason, will only earn $1 million in salary. This is because his contract includes a $64 million signing bonus, $54 million of which he is going to earn this year. Meanwhile, over 97% of Ohtani's $700 million contract is deferred to the next decade, reducing his per annum salary to just $2 million till 2034.