Highest-Paid Players in MLB After Christian Yelich Contract

The Milwaukee Brewers shocked the MLB world by giving Christian Yelich an extension worth over $200 million.

That is a major extension for a small-market team like the Brewers, but it pales in comparison to other deals handed out in recent history. When it comes to the highest average annual contract values, a few teams dominate the conversation.

Highest-Paid Players in MLB by AAV

Gerrit Cole, NYY: 9 years, $324 million, $36 million AAV

Mike Trout, LAA: 12 years, $426.5 million, $35.5 million AAV

Stephen Strasburg, WSH: 7 years, $245 million, $35 million AAV

Anthony Rendon, LAA: 7 years, $245 million, $35 million AAV

Zack Greinke, HOU: 6 years, $206.5 million, $34.4 million AAV

Justin Verlander, HOU: 2 years, $66 million, $33 million AAV

Nolan Arenado, COL: 8 years, $260 million, $32.5 million AAV

Miguel Cabrera, DET: 8 years, $248 million, $31 million AAV

David Price, LAD: 7 years, $217 million, $31 million AAV

Clayton Kershaw, LAD: 3 years, $93 million, $31 million AAV

Trout has the highest money value of any contract with his 12-year, deal. He is followed by Bryce Harper and Giancarlo Stanton in terms of total money, but both players have average annual values of $25 million, thus missing this list.

Players like Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor will likely be on the above list in the next few years. There is no sign of MLB contracts going down in value for the game's top stars. It will just be up to the top markets to keep pushing the values higher and higher.