How Much the Top MLB Players Made and Lost in 2020

The coronavirus changed how MLB paychecks looked.

By George Malone October 26, 2020 Net Worth 101

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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.

Last updated: Oct. 26, 2020

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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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.

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.

Last updated: Oct. 26, 2020