The top salaries and contracts in baseball history, by annual salary (based on average salary for the entire contract) and by total contract. (Last updated January 2012):
*-Rodriguez renegotiated his contract before the 2008 season.
**-Mauer's contract was signed in 2010, but kicks in before the 2011 season.
***-Howard's contract was signed in 2010, but kicks in before the 2012 season.
Top Baseball Salaries
| Player | Team | Signed in | Avg. annual salary |
| 1. Alex Rodriguez | Yankees | 2008 | $27.5 million |
| 2. Albert Pujols | Angels | 2012 | $25.4 million |
| 3. Alex Rodriguez | Rangers | 2001 | $25.2 million |
| 4. Ryan Howard | Phillies | 2012 | $25 million*** |
| 5. Prince Fielder | Tigers | 2012 | $23.78 million |
| 6. CC Sabathia | Yankees | 2009 | $23 million |
| 7. Joe Mauer | Twins | 2011 | $23 million** |
| 8. Johan Santana | Mets | 2008 | $22.9 million |
| 9. Manny Ramirez | Dodgers | 2009 | $22.5 million |
| 9. Mark Teixeira | Yankees | 2009 | $22.5 million |
| 9. Joey Votto | Reds | 2012 | $22.5 million |
| Player | Team | Signed in | Contract |
| 1. Alex Rodriguez | Yankees | 2008 | 10 years, $275 million |
| 2. Albert Pujols | Angels | 2012 | 10 years, $254 million |
| 3. Alex Rodriguez | Rangers | 2001 | 10 years, $252 million* |
| 4. Joey Votto | Reds | 2012 | 10 years, $225 million |
| 5. Prince Fielder | Tigers | 2012 | 9 years, $214 million |
| 6. Derek Jeter | Yankees | 2001 | 10 years, $189 million |
| 7. Joe Mauer | Twins | 2011** | 8 years, $184 million |
| 8. Mark Teixeira | Yankees | 2009 | 8 years, $180 million |
| 9. CC Sabathia | Yankees | 2009 | 7 years, $161 million |
| 10. Manny Ramirez | Red Sox | 2001 | 8 years, $160 million |
| 10. Matt Kemp | Dodgers | 2012 | 8 years, $160 million |
| 12. Miguel Cabrera | Tigers | 2008 | 8 years, $152.3 million |
