How Much the Top MLB Players Made and Lost in 2020

No one can feel too bad for the plight of multimillionaires during the COVID-19 crisis, but the pandemic’s effects on Major League Baseball salaries are surprisingly large.

When the baseball season was shortened from 162 games to just 60, the MLB and players’ union negotiated over salaries. Because teams couldn’t count on attendance and ticket sales to bolster revenue, the talks were difficult. The sides eventually agreed to full, prorated salaries for players, meaning everyone would get 37% of their salaries for the season.

For a worker making the U.S. median income of $68,000 (in 2019), that’s $25,160. For a superstar baseball player, the difference is much, much greater.

Using salary numbers from Spotrac, GOBankingRates calculated what the top 10 highest-paid players made – and lost – with the 2020 season. See how the highest-paid fared this year.

10. Clayton Kershaw

• Team/position: Los Angeles Dodgers/pitcher
• 2020 original salary: $31 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $16.3 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $14.7 million

8. Manny Machado (Tie)

• Team/position: San Diego Padres/third baseman
• 2020 original salary: $32 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $13.1 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $18.9 million

8. David Price (Tie)

• Team/position: Los Angeles Dodgers/pitcher
• 2020 original salary: $32 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $5.9 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $26.1 million

Note: Price opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns but is still paid.

7. Justin Verlander

• Team/position: Houston Astros/pitcher
• 2020 original salary: $33 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $12.2 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $20.8 million

4. Nolan Arenado (Tie)

• Team/position: Colorado Rockies/third baseman
• 2020 original salary: $35 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $12.96 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $22.03 million

Read More: The Biggest Contract Busts in MLB History

4. Stephen Strasburg (Tie)

• Team/position:  Washington Nationals/pitcher
• 2020 original salary: $35 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $8.7 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $26.3 million

4. Zack Greinke (Tie)

• Team/position: Houston Astros/pitcher
• 2020 original salary: $35 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $6.95 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $28.1 million

3. Max Scherzer

• Team/position: Washington Nationals/pitcher
• 2020 original salary: $35.9 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $17.8 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $18.1 million

2. Gerrit Cole

• Team/position: New York Yankees/pitcher
• 2020 original salary: $36 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $13.3 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $22.7 million

1. Mike Trout

• Team/position: Los Angeles Angels/center fielder
• 2020 original salary: $37.7 million
• 2020 adjusted salary: $15 million
• Lost salary due to COVID-19: $22.7 million

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