5 MLB Stars Who Are Next to Get $300 Million Deals

Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich didn't exactly break the bank with his latest contract extension, but he'll be staying put in Milwaukee through at least 2028. After winning NL MVP in 2018 and placing second last season, some thought Yelich was bound to make as much as stars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole with his next contract. Yelich was considered the next MLB athlete in line to net a contract worth $300 million, but one of these five players will likely be that guy instead.

5. Javier Baez

Among the blossoming crop of talent within Chicago's organization, no Cubs player is more destined for a large contract than shortstop Javier Baez. Chicago stalled in extending homegrown names like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras, and it may have been for the better. Since the team's curse-breaking 2016 World Series win, Baez has established himself as the most promising and consistent out of this group of players. At 27 years old, a big-time extension would officially make Baez the face of Chicago's franchise.

4. Francisco Lindor

The only reason the Cleveland Indians have been trying to ship shortstop Francisco Lindor in a trade is because they know how much he deserves to make with his next contract. The 26-year old avoided arbitration this offseason by signing a one-year deal with Cleveland worth $17.5 million, the second-highest contract awarded to a two-time arbitration-eligible player ever. Whether or not it's the Indians that decide to pull the trigger on him, Lindor's next non-arbitration deal is bound to make him one of the league's richest players.

3. Cody Bellinger

After becoming the youngest Dodger to win an MVP award, Los Angeles first baseman and outfielder Cody Bellinger made even more history. This offseason, the 24-year-old broke the record for a player in his first year eligible for arbitration when he won his case to earn an annual salary of $11.5 million. Through less than three full major-league seasons, Bellinger is joined by elite company in having already hit 111 career home runs. LA is scheduled to put up with three more rounds of arbitration with Bellinger, so don't be surprised if they just cut to the chase and offer him an expensive, lengthy contract within the next season or two.

2. Aaron Judge

The Yankees spent a lot to acquire Gerrit Cole this offseason and aren't paying Stanton chump change, but that doesn't mean Aaron Judge won't get his shot at a big-time contract eventually. It's no secret that New York owns the league's deepest payroll, so why would they even risk losing Judge? The 28-year old, like Bellinger, is set to face arbitration through 2023 and has a long-term extension on his mind. If he can ever return to his 2017 MVP-form, the Yankees will waste no time moving around their assets to make way for an enormous deal with Judge.

1. Mookie Betts

The Dodgers made a win-now move in trading with the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Mookie Betts this offseason, and they know the price at which it cost them. While LA had to give up Alex Verdugo and a few other significant prospects, they also have to take on Mookie's $27 million salary in his contract year, which prevents them from extending Bellinger anytime soon. Some baseball experts think Betts will re-sign with Boston in 2021, but – depending on what he can accomplish with the Dodgers this year – the Red Sox won't be the only team pursuing Betts next offseason. With more teams in the mix for Betts, he can expect some valuable offers coming his way in what will be an incredibly heated market.