The Highest Paid Player on Every NFL, MLB and NBA Team

Pro athletes are rich --  but some are a whole lot richer than others. Obviously, the top-paid athlete on any given team is bringing home a whole lot more than the rookies. However, it might come as a surprise that the top-paid player on one team might earn three times or more as much as the top-paid player on a team in the same league.

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Take Major League Baseball as an example. No one would deny Mike Trout the top contract in baseball, as the Los Angeles Angels center fielder is among the best in the game and a perennial MVP candidate. However, his salary of more than $37 million is about four times that of fellow center fielder Jose Ramirez, the top-paid player of the Cleveland Indians. Of course, no one would confuse Trout with Ramirez, and Los Angeles is one of the largest sports markets in the world and Cleveland is not. Still, the disparity in salaries for these two players is enormous.

Learn More: 27 Richest No. 1 NFL Draft Picks

GOBankingRates searched for the highest-paid player on every MLB, NBA, and NFL team using salary data from Spotrac. Base salary data was also collected for reference. Teams were then divided by league and listed in alphabetical order.

Last updated: April 16, 2021

NBA

The NBA season started on Dec. 22 and is scheduled to end on May 16. Thanks to COVID, they'll play just 72 games, 10 less than in a normal season. The salary cap is $109.14.

Check Out: How Rich are Michael Jordan, Alex Rodriguez And 13 More Incredibly Wealthy Retired Athletes?

Atlanta Hawks

• Highest-paid player: Danilo Gallinari
• Age: 32
• Position: Power forward
• Base salary: $19,500,000
• Cap figure: $19,500,000
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 16.93

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Boston Celtics

• Highest-paid player: Kemba Walker
• Age: 30
• Position: Point guard
• Base salary: $34,379,100
• Cap figure: $34,379,100
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 26.1

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Brooklyn Nets

• Highest-paid player: James Harden
• Age: 31
• Position: Shooting guard
• Base salary: $41,254,920
• Cap figure: $41,254,920
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 24.85

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Charlotte Hornets

• Highest-paid player: Gordon Hayward
• Age: 30
• Position: Small forward
• Base salary: $28,500,000
• Cap figure: $28,500,000
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 26.56

Chicago Bulls

• Highest-paid player: Nikola Vucevic
• Age: 29
• Position: Center
• Base salary: $26,000,000
• Cap figure: $26,000,000
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 20.56

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Highest-paid player: Kevin Love
• Age: 32
• Position: Power forward
• Base salary: $31,258,256
• Cap figure: $31,258,256
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 24.94

Dallas Mavericks

• Highest-paid player: Kristaps Porzingis
• Age: 25
• Position: Power forward
• Base salary: $29,467,800
• Cap figure: $29,467,800
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 23.45

Denver Nuggets

• Highest-paid player: Nikola Jokic
• Age: 25
• Position: Center
• Base salary: $28,542,009
• Cap figure: $29,542,010
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 23.03

Detroit Pistons

• Highest-paid player: Jerami Grant
• Age: 26
• Position: Power forward
• Base salary: $19,050,000
• Cap figure: $19,050,000
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 16.6

Golden State Warriors

• Highest-paid player: Stephen Curry
• Age: 32
• Position: Point guard
• Base salary: $43,006,362
• Cap figure: $43,006,362
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 25.49

Houston Rockets

• Highest-paid player: John Wall
• Age: 30
• Position: Point guard
• Base salary: $41,254,920
• Cap figure: $41,254,920
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 32.32

Indiana Pacers

• Highest-paid player: Malcolm Brogdon
• Age: 27
• Position: Point guard
• Base salary: $20,700,000
• Cap figure: $20,700,000
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 16.17

Los Angeles Clippers

• Highest-paid player: Paul George
• Age: 30
• Position: Shooting guard
• Base salary: $35,450,412
• Cap figure: $35,450,412
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 25.96

Los Angeles Lakers

• Highest-paid player: LeBron James
• Age: 35
• Position: Small forward
• Base salary: $39,219,565
• Cap figure: $39,219,565
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 28.74

Memphis Grizzlies

• Highest-paid player: Jonas Valanciunas
• Age: 28
• Position: Center
• Base salary: $15,000,000
• Cap figure: $15,000,000
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 11.42

Miami Heat

• Highest-paid player: Jimmy Butler
• Age: 31
• Position: Small forward
• Base salary: $34,379,100
• Cap figure: $34,379,100
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 26.07

Milwaukee Bucks

• Highest-paid player: Khris Middleton
• Age: 29
• Position: Small forward
• Base salary: $33,051,724
• Cap figure: $33,051,724
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 25.16

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Highest-paid player: Karl-Anthony Towns
• Age: 24
• Position: Center
• Base salary: $29,467,800
• Cap figure: $29,467,800
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 22.33

New Orleans Pelicans

• Highest-paid player: Steven Adams
• Age: 27
• Position: Center
• Base salary: $27,528,088
• Cap figure: $27,528,088
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 21.14

New York Knicks

• Highest-paid player: Julius Randle
• Age: 25
• Position: Power forward
• Base salary: $18,900,000
• Cap figure: $18,900,000
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 19.77

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Highest-paid player: Al Horford
• Age: 34
• Position: Power forward
• Base salary: $27,500,000
• Cap figure: $27,500,000
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 27.21

Orlando Magic

• Highest-paid player: Otto Porter Jr.
• Age: 27
• Position: Small forward
• Base salary: $28,489,238
• Cap figure: $28,489,238
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 24.95

Philadelphia 76ers

• Highest-paid player: Tobias Harris
• Age: 28
• Position: Small forward
• Base salary: $34,358,850
• Cap figure: $34,358,850
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 23.63

Phoenix Suns

• Highest-paid player: Chris Paul
• Age: 35
• Position: Point guard
• Base salary: $41,358,814
• Cap figure: $41,358,814
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 32.54

Portland Trail Blazers

• Highest-paid player: Damian Lillard
• Age: 30
• Position: Point guard
• Base salary: $31,626,953
• Cap figure: $31,626,953
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 24.35

Sacramento Kings

• Highest-paid player: Buddy Hield
• Age: 27
• Position: Shooting guard
• Base salary: $24,201,834
• Cap figure: $24,201,834
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 20.07

San Antonio Spurs

• Highest-paid player: DeMar DeRozan
• Age: 31
• Position: Shooting guard
• Base salary: $27,739,975
• Cap figure: $27,739,975
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 21.97

Toronto Raptors

• Highest-paid player: Pascal Siakam
• Age: 26
• Position: Power forward
• Base salary: $30,559,200
• Cap figure: $30,559,200
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 24.03

Utah Jazz

• Highest-paid player: Mike Conley
• Age: 32
• Position: Point guard
• Base salary: $34,502,132
• Cap figure: $34,502,132
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 25.38

Washington Wizards

• Highest-paid player: Russell Westbrook
• Age: 31
• Position: Point guard
• Base salary: $41,358,814
• Cap figure: $41,358,814
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 31.93

League Average

• Age: 29
• Base salary: $30,586,862
• Cap figure: $30,586,862
• % of total cap space spent on highest-paid player: 23.81

NFL

NFL boss Roger Goodell has promised that stadiums will be filled with fans at full capacity when football starts again this fall. The big news coming out of the league, however, is that the season will be expanding this year from 16 games to 17.

Arizona Cardinals

• Highest-paid player: Chandler Jones
• Position: Outside linebacker
• Cap hit: $15,500,000
• Base salary: $3,000,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: $2,333,334
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 10.85

Atlanta Falcons

• Highest-paid player: Matt Ryan
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $26,912,500
• Base salary: $2,000,000
• Signing bonus: $9,300,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: $2,000,000
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: $13,612,500
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 14.55

Baltimore Ravens

• Highest-paid player: Ronnie Stanley
• Position: Tackle
• Cap hit: $15,250,000
• Base salary: $7,500,000
• Signing bonus: $4,500,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: $3,250,000
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 8.33

Buffalo Bills

• Highest-paid player: Stefon Diggs
• Position: Wide receiver
• Cap hit: $13,008,333
• Base salary: $12,408,333
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: $500,000
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $100,000
• Restructure bonus: 
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 6.91

Carolina Panthers

• Highest-paid player: Teddy Bridgewater
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $22,953,125
• Base salary: $17,000,000
• Signing bonus: $5,000,000
• Roster bonus: $703,125
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $250,000
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 12.31

Chicago Bears

• Highest-paid player: Allen Robinson
• Position: Wide receiver
• Cap hit: $17,880,000
• Base salary: $17,880,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 9.4

Cincinnati Bengals

• Highest-paid player: Trae Waynes
• Position: Cornerback
• Cap hit: $15,800,000
• Base salary: $8,400,000
• Signing bonus: $5,000,000
• Roster bonus: $2,000,000
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $400,000
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 8.1

Cleveland Browns

• Highest-paid player: Odell Beckham, Jr.
• Position: Wide receiver
• Cap hit: $15,750,000
• Base salary: $14,500,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: $1,000,000
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $250,000
• Restructure bonus: N/A 
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 7.43

Dallas Cowboys

• Highest-paid player: DeMarcus Lawrence
• Position: Defensive end
• Cap hit: $25,000,000
• Base salary: $17,000,000
• Signing bonus: $5,000,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: $3,000,000
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 11.91

Denver Broncos

• Highest-paid player: Von Miller
• Position: Outside linebacker
• Cap hit: $22,225,000
• Base salary: $17,500,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $500,000
• Restructure bonus: $4,225,000
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 11.07

Detroit Lions

• Highest-paid player: Trey Flowers
• Position: Defensive end
• Cap hit: $19,989,000
• Base salary: $14,375,000
• Signing bonus: $5,614,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 10.11

Green Bay Packers

• Highest-paid player: Aaron Rodgers
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $37,202,000
• Base salary: $14,700,000
• Signing bonus: $11,500,000
• Roster bonus: $6,800,000
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $500,000
• Restructure bonus: $2,852,000
• Misc. bonus: $850,000
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 19.98

Houston Texans

• Highest-paid player: Deshaun Watson
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $15,940,000
• Base salary: $10,540,000
• Signing bonus: $5,400,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 8.2

Indianpolis Colts

• Highest-paid player: Carson Wentz
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $20,400,000
• Base salary: $15,400,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: $5,000,000
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 10.68

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Highest-paid player: Andrew Norwell
• Position: Guard
• Cap hit: $15,000,000
• Base salary: $12,000,000
• Signing bonus: $3,000,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 7.18

Kansas City Chiefs

• Highest-paid player: Frank Clark
• Position: Defensive end
• Cap hit: $25,800,000
• Base salary: $18,500,000
• Signing bonus: $5,200,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $500,000
• Restructure bonus: $1,600,000
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 13.69

Las Vegas Raiders

• Highest-paid player: Derek Carr
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $22,125,000
• Base salary: $19,525,000
• Signing bonus: $2,500,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $100,000
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 11.63

Los Angeles Chargers

• Highest-paid player: Joey Bosa
• Position: Defensive end
• Cap hit: $20,750,000
• Base salary: $13,750,000
• Signing bonus: $7,000,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 10.82

Los Angeles Rams

• Highest-paid player: Aaron Donald
• Position: Defensive tackle
• Cap hit: $27,892,000
• Base salary: $19,892,000
• Signing bonus: $8,000,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 14.91

Miami Dolphins

• Highest-paid player: Byron Jones
• Position: Cornerback
• Cap hit: $16,100,000
• Base salary: $14,000,000
• Signing bonus: $2,100,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 8.16

Minnesota Vikings

• Highest-paid player: Kirk Cousins
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $31,000,000
• Base salary: $21,000,000
• Signing bonus: $10,000,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 16.55

New England Patriots

• Highest-paid player: Stephon Gilmore
• Position: Cornerback
• Cap hit: $15,014,584
• Base salary: $7,000,000
• Signing bonus: $3,600,000
• Roster bonus: $343,750
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: $4,070,834
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 7.3

New Orleans Saints

• Highest-paid player: Ryan Ramczyk
• Position: Right tackle
• Cap hit: $11,064,000
• Base salary: $11,064,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 5.96

New York Giants

• Highest-paid player: James Bradberry
• Position: Cornerback
• Cap hit: $13,250,000
• Base salary: $5,900,000
• Signing bonus: $3,000,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $100,000
• Restructure bonus: $4,000,000
• Misc. bonus: $250,000
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 7.14

New York Jets

• Highest-paid player: Carl Lawson
• Position: Defensive end
• Cap hit: $14,333,333
• Base salary: $6,200,000
• Signing bonus: $333,333
• Roster bonus: $7,800,000
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 6.81

Philadelphia Eagles

• Highest-paid player: Fletcher Cox
• Position: Defensive tackle
• Cap hit: $23,880,000
• Base salary: $15,000,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: $1,000,000
• Option bonus: $4,134,000
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: $3,746,000
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 11.54

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Highest-paid player: Ben Roethlisberger
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $25,910,000
• Base salary: $1,075,000
• Signing bonus: $15,085,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: $9,750,000
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 13.82

San Francisco 49ers

• Highest-paid player: Jimmy Garoppolo
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $24,100,000
• Base salary: $1,400,000
• Signing bonus: $300,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: $600,000
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 13.49

Seattle Seahawks

• Highest-paid player: Seattle Seahawks
• Position: Russell Wilson
• Cap hit: Quarterback
• Base salary: $32,000,000
• Signing bonus: $19,000,000
• Roster bonus: $13,000,000
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 17.4

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Highest-paid player: Mike Evans
• Position: Wide receiver
• Cap hit: $16,637,500
• Base salary: $12,250,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: $4,387,500
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 9.14

Tennessee Titans

• Highest-paid player: Ryan Tannehill
• Position: Quarterback
• Cap hit: $29,500,000
• Base salary: $24,500,000
• Signing bonus: $5,000,000
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 15.48

Washington Redskins

• Highest-paid player: Brandon Scherff
• Position: Guard
• Cap hit: $18,036,000
• Base salary: $18,036,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Roster bonus: N/A
• Option bonus: N/A
• Workout bonus: N/A
• Restructure bonus: N/A
• Misc. bonus: N/A
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 9.03

League Average

• Cap hit: $21,057,366
• Base salary: $13,984,229
• Signing bonus: $5,805,754
• Roster bonus: $2,544,688
• Option bonus: $3,128,000
• Workout bonus: $330,000
• Restructure bonus: $4,870,652
• Misc. bonus: $550,000
• % of total cap spent on highest-paid player: 10.93

MLB

Baseball started back up on April 1 and the All-Star break is scheduled for July 13. Last year's season was postponed for months and teams wound up playing fewer than half their games. This year, fans are making up for lost time and packed stadiums have caused controversy.

Arizona Diamondbacks

• Highest Paid Player: Madison Bumgarner 
• Age: 31
• Position: Starting pitcher
• Base Salary: $19,000,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $19,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $14,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 16.66

Atlanta Braves

• Highest Paid Player: Freddie Freeman
• Age: 31
• Position: First base
• Base Salary: $22,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $359,375
• Payroll Salary: $22,359,375
• Adjusted Salary: $22,359,375
• % of Team's Payroll: 17.28

Baltimore Orioles

• Highest Paid Player: Chris Davis 
• Age: 35
• Position: First base
• Base Salary: $17,000,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $21,065,362
• Adjusted Salary: $21,065,362
• % of Team's Payroll: 46.05

Boston Red Sox

• Highest Paid Player: Xander Bogaerts 
• Age: 28
• Position: Short stop
• Base Salary: $20,000,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $20,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $20,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 11.62

Chicago Cubs

• Highest Paid Player: Jason Heyward 
• Age: 31
• Position: Right field
• Base Salary: $21,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $2,500,000
• Payroll Salary: $23,500,000
• Adjusted Salary: $23,500,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 16.34

Chicago White Sox

• Highest Paid Player: Yasmani Grandal 
• Age: 32
• Position: Catcher
• Base Salary: $18,250,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $18,250,000
• Adjusted Salary: $18,250,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 15.04

Cincinnati Reds

• Highest Paid Player: Nick Castellanos & Mike Moustakas
• Age: 29/32
• Position: Right field/second base
• Base Salary: $14,000,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $14,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $14,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 12.4

Cleveland Indians

• Highest Paid Player: Jose Ramirez
• Age: 28
• Position: Third base
• Base Salary: $9,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $400,000
• Payroll Salary: $9,400,000
• Adjusted Salary: $9,400,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 22.94

Colorado Rockies

• Highest Paid Player: Charlie Blackmon
• Age: 35
• Position: Right field
• Base Salary: $21,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $333,333
• Payroll Salary: $21,333,333
• Adjusted Salary: $21,333,333
• % of Team's Payroll: 20.03

Detroit Tigers

• Highest Paid Player: Miguel Cabrera
• Age: 38
• Position: Designated hitter
• Base Salary: $30,000,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $30,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $30,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 39.78

Houston Astros

• Highest Paid Player: Jose Altuve 
• Age: 31
• Position: Second base
• Base Salary: $26,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $3,000,000
• Payroll Salary: $29,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $29,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 15.77

Kansas City Royals

• Highest Paid Player: Danny Duffy
• Age: 32
• Position: Starting pitcher
• Base Salary: $15,500,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $15,500,000
• Adjusted Salary: $15,500,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 18.38

Los Angeles Angels

• Highest Paid Player: Mike Trout 
• Age: 29
• Position: Center field
• Base Salary: $35,450,000
• Signing Bonus: $1,666,667
• Payroll Salary: $37,116,666
• Adjusted Salary: $37,116,666
• % of Team's Payroll: 21.65

Los Angeles Dodgers

• Highest Paid Player: Trevor Bauer
• Age: 30 
• Position: Starting pitcher
• Base Salary: $28,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $3,333,333
• Payroll Salary: $31,333,333
• Adjusted Salary: $31,333,333
• % of Team's Payroll: 13.15 

Miami Marlins

• Highest Paid Player: Starling Marte
• Age: 32
• Position: Center field
• Base Salary: $12,500,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $12,500,000
• Adjusted Salary: $12,500,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 26.48

Milwaukee Brewers

• Highest Paid Player: Lorenzo Cain 
• Age: 35
• Position: Center field
• Base Salary: $17,000,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $16,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $16,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 19.22

Minnesota Twins

• Highest Paid Player: Josh Donaldson
• Age: 35
• Position: Third base
• Base Salary: $21,000,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $21,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $21,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 17.82

New York Mets

• Highest Paid Player: Francisco Lindor
• Age: 27
• Position: Short stop
• Base Salary: $22,300,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $22,300,000
• Adjusted Salary: $22,300,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 11.99

New York Yankees

• Highest Paid Player: Gerrit Cole 
• Age: 30 
• Position: Starting pitcher
• Base Salary: $36,000,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $36,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $36,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 18.32

Oakland Athletics

• Highest Paid Player: Trevor Rosenthal
• Age: 31
• Position: Relief pitcher/closer
• Base Salary: $11,000,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $11,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $11,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 14.18

Philadelphia Phillies

• Highest Paid Player: Bryce Harper 
• Age: 28
• Position: Right field
• Base Salary: $26,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $1,538,462
• Payroll Salary: $27,538,462
• Adjusted Salary: $27,538,462
• % of Team's Payroll: 15.39

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Highest Paid Player: Gregory Polanco
• Age: 29
• Position: Right field 
• Base Salary: $11,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $600,000
• Payroll Salary: $11,600,000
• Adjusted Salary: $11,600,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 25.92

San Diego Padres

• Highest Paid Player: Manny Machado 
• Age: 28
• Position: Third base
• Base Salary: $30,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $2,000,000
• Payroll Salary: $32,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $32,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 19.78

San Francisco Giants

• Highest Paid Player: Buster Posey 
• Age: 34
• Position: Catcher
• Base Salary: $21,400,000
• Signing Bonus: $777,777
• Payroll Salary: $22,177,777
• Adjusted Salary: $22,177,777
• % of Team's Payroll: 15.18

Seattle Mariners

• Highest Paid Player: Kyle Seager
• Age: 33
• Position: Third base
• Base Salary: $18,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $500,000
• Payroll Salary: $18,500,000
• Adjusted Salary: $18,500,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 27.35

St. Louis Cardinals

• Highest Paid Player: Paul Goldschmidt
• Age: 33
• Position: First base
• Base Salary: $22,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $4,000,000
• Payroll Salary: $26,000,000
• Adjusted Salary: $26,000,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 16.81

Tampa Bay Rays

• Highest Paid Player: Kevin Kiermaier
• Age: 31
• Position: Center field
• Base Salary: $11,500,000
• Signing Bonus: $166,666
• Payroll Salary: $11,666,666
• Adjusted Salary: $11,666,666
• % of Team's Payroll: 20.66

Texas Rangers

• Highest Paid Player: Khris Davis
• Age: 33
• Position: Designated hitter
• Base Salary: $16,750,000
• Signing Bonus: N/A
• Payroll Salary: $16,750,000
• Adjusted Salary: $16,750,000
• % of Team's Payroll: 22.09

Toronto Blue Jays

• Highest Paid Player: George Springer 
• Age: 31
• Position: Center field
• Base Salary: $22,000,000
• Signing Bonus: $1,666,667
• Payroll Salary: $23,666,666
• Adjusted Salary: $23,666,666
• % of Team's Payroll: 17.87

Washington Nationals

• Highest Paid Player: Max Scherzer
• Age: 36
• Position: Starting pitcher
• Base Salary: $27,360,623
• Signing Bonus: $7,142,857
• Payroll Salary: $34,503,480
• Adjusted Salary: $34,503,480
• % of Team's Payroll: 21.32

League Average

• Age: 32
• Base Salary: $20,733,687
• Signing Bonus: $1,874,071
• Payroll Salary: $21,835,371
• Adjusted Salary: $21,668,704
• % of Team's Payroll: 19.92

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John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article. 

MLB Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates used Spotrac’s Major League Baseball (MLB) team payrolls for the 2021 season to find the highest-paid player on every MLB team in terms of adjusted salary. For each team, GOBankingRates found (1) the name of the highest-paid player in terms of adjusted salary; (2) the player’s age; (3) position played; (4) base salary; (5) signing bonus; (6) payroll salary; (7) adjusted salary; and (8) percent of team’s total payroll accounted for by the player's salary. All data were collected on and up to date as of March 22, 2021.

NBA Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates used Spotrac’s National Basketball League (NBA) team financials for the 2020-2021 season to find the highest-paid player on every NBA team in terms of cap hit. For each team, GOBankingRates found (1) the name of the highest-paid player in terms of cap hit; (2) the player’s age; (3) position played; (4) base salary; (5) total cap hit; and (6) percent of team’s total cap is accounted for by the player's salary. All data were collected on and up to date as of March 29, 2021.

NFL Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates used Spotrac’s National Football League's (NFL) team financials for the 2021 season to find the highest-paid player on every NFL team in terms of cap hit. For each team, GOBankingRates found (1) the name of the highest-paid player in terms of adjusted salary; (2) position played; (3) cap hit; (4) base salary; (5) signing bonus; (6) roster bonus; (7) option bonus; (8) workout bonus; (9) restructure bonus; (10) miscellaneous bonus; and (11) percent of team’s total cap accounted for by the player's salary. All data were collected on and up to date as of March 29, 2021.

About the Author

Andrew Lisa

Andrew Lisa has been writing professionally since 2001. An award-winning writer, Andrew was formerly one of the youngest nationally distributed columnists for the largest newspaper syndicate in the country, the Gannett News Service. He worked as the business section editor for amNewYork, the most widely distributed newspaper in Manhattan, and worked as a copy editor for TheStreet.com, a financial publication in the heart of Wall Street's investment community in New York City.

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