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The most overpaid & underpaid players at every MLB position
Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports

The most overpaid & underpaid players at every MLB position

MLB players are rarely paid huge dollars until well into their careers, which results in some "underpaid" young players and extremely bloated contracts for veterans. These are the most overpaid and underpaid players by position in the 2024 season.

 
1 of 24

Underpaid starting pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers

Underpaid starting pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Rick Scuteri / USA Today Sports Images

Skubal returned from elbow surgery as one of baseball's best pitchers in the second half of last season, and he hasn't slowed down in 2024. The lefty began the season 6-0 with a 1.80 ERA and league-best 0.78 WHIP in his first nine starts. He will earn only $2.65 million this season.

 
2 of 24

Overpaid starting pitcher: Patrick Corbin, Washington Nationals

Overpaid starting pitcher: Patrick Corbin, Washington Nationals
Jim Rassol / USA Today Sports Images

Washington won the World Series in the first season of Corbin's six-year, $140 million contract, but he's gone downhill since the first year. Corbin has led the NL in losses in three consecutive seasons and has a 5.73 ERA since 2020. The contract expires after this season, but Corbin will make nearly $35.5 million in 2024.

 
3 of 24

Underpaid middle reliever: Reed Garrett, New York Mets

Underpaid middle reliever: Reed Garrett, New York Mets
Gregory Fisher / USA Today Sports Images

Garrett has been a revelation in the Mets bullpen, seeing a breakout at age 31 by starting the year 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. He's earning the league minimum of about $700,000 in the process.

 
4 of 24

Overpaid middle reliever: Robert Stephenson, Los Angeles Angels

Overpaid middle reliever: Robert Stephenson, Los Angeles Angels
Kim Klement Neitzel / USA Today Sports Images

The Angels made headlines after signing Stephenson to a three-year, $33 million contract after the improvement he showed with the Rays last season. However, Stephenson suffered a shoulder injury during Spring Training and tore his elbow ligament during rehab. The result is Tommy John surgery and the possibility of Stephenson being on the shelf for half the contract. He will make $11 million this season.

 
5 of 24

Underpaid closer: Mason Miller, Oakland Athletics

Underpaid closer: Mason Miller, Oakland Athletics
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

Miller's emergence in 2023 was impressive, but the team moved him to the bullpen this year in an attempt to keep him health. So far, so good for the A's and Miller, who has been the talk of baseball early this season with a 0.98 ERA, eight saves, and 38/5 K/BB in 18.1 innings with a triple-digit fastball. He will make the league minimum this season.

 
6 of 24

Overpaid closer: Craig Kimbrel, Baltimore Orioles

Overpaid closer: Craig Kimbrel, Baltimore Orioles
Reggie Hildred / USA Today Sports Images

Replacing Felix Bautista has been a rough endeavor for the O's. They hoped Kimbrel could do the job given his track record, signing him for $13 million this season. However, he has struggled this season with a 3.86 ERA and five walks per nine innings, often being deployed as a middle reliever early in the year.

 
7 of 24

Underpaid catcher: William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers

Underpaid catcher: William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers
Benny Sieu / USA Today Sports Images

The Braves might regret trading Contreras before the 2023 season, as he's been one of the game's best players since joining Milwaukee. Contreras is arguably the NL MVP of the early 2024 season, hitting .353-6-34 with a .973 OPS while playing excellent defense. He won't be eligible for arbitration until after this season and now earns the league minimum salary.

 
8 of 24

Overpaid catcher: James McCann, Baltimore Orioles

Overpaid catcher: James McCann, Baltimore Orioles
Gregory Fisher / USA Today Sports Images

McCann received a four-year, $40.6 million contract from the Mets prior to the 2021 season, but has done very little on the field over that time. Traded to the Orioles last season, McCann has a .614 OPS during the life of the contract and serves as Adley Rutschman's backup. He is earning $12.15 million this season, with $9.5 million paid by the Mets.

 
9 of 24

Underpaid first baseman: Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs

Underpaid first baseman: Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs
Matt Marton / USA Today Sports Images

The Cubs are happy with Busch as their starting first baseman after acquiring him from the Dodgers in the offseason. The former top prospect got off to a hot start and had seven homers and a .793 OPS through 43 games while earning the league minimum.

 
10 of 24

Overpaid first baseman: Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies

Overpaid first baseman: Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies
Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

Bryant got a seven-year, $182 million contract from the Rockies in 2022, but appeared in a total of only 135 games with the team through mid-May, 2024. His performance has been just as disappointing with a .720 OPS despite the help of Coors Field. Bryant earns $28 million this season.

 
11 of 24

Underpaid second baseman: Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies

Underpaid second baseman: Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

Stott moved over from shortstop to second base when the Phillies signed Trea Turner in 2023, and his offense has taken off since the move. After hitting .280-15-62 with 31 steals and a .747 OPS last season, Stott has taken another step forward early this season, hitting .281-4-28 with 12 steals and an .842 OPS in his first 41 games, and is earning the league minimum.

 
12 of 24

Overpaid second baseman: Jeff McNeil, New York Mets

Overpaid second baseman: Jeff McNeil, New York Mets
John Jones / USA Today Sports Images

McNeil has seen his share of struggles since signing a four-year, $50 million contract extension in 2023. After winning the NL Batting Title in 2022, McNeil hit only .270-10-55 with a .711 OPS last season, and he's off to a slower start this year, hitting .232-1-8 with a .614 OPS through 43 games played. He's making $10.25 million this year before a significant salary increase next season.

 
13 of 24

Underpaid third baseman: Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles

Underpaid third baseman: Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles
Mitch Stringer / USA Today Sports Images

Westburg handled MLB pitching well in his 2023 debut, but he's taken his game to another level this season. The former first-round pick is hitting .295-7-29 with an .869 OPS while sharing time between third base and second base. The young infielder is earning the league minimum salary.

 
14 of 24

Overpaid third baseman: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels

Overpaid third baseman: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels
Katie Stratman / USA Today Sports Images

The Angels have handed out plenty of bad contracts in recent years, and Rendon could be their worst. He signed a seven-year, $245 million contract in 2020, but has played a total of only 219 games so far. Rendon is injured again in 2024 after playing only 19 games, but will make nearly $38.6 million this season.

 
15 of 24

Underpaid shortstop: Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles

Underpaid shortstop: Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
Reggie Hildred / USA Today Sports Images

Henderson is one of baseball's best young players, winning AL Rookie of the Year in 2023 after hitting .255-29-82 with a .814. He's made his home at shortstop for the O's, and is off to a great start in 2024 league the league with 13 home runs through 42 games. Henderson still earns the league minimum salary.

 
16 of 24

Overpaid shortstop: Javier Baez, Detroit Tigers

Overpaid shortstop: Javier Baez, Detroit Tigers
Gregory Fisher / USA Today Sports Images

Baez was a two-time All-Star with the Cubs earlier in his career, but his numbers have collapsed since signing a six-year, $140 million contract with Detroit in 2022. The aggressive hitter has a .616 OPS in a Tigers uniform and was hitting .185-1-18 with a .470 OPS through 38 games this year. Baez makes $25 million this season.

 
17 of 24

Underpaid left fielder: Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians

Underpaid left fielder: Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Kwan's power is limited, but his contact-hitting ability, speed, and elite defense have made him a great find for Cleveland. He led the AL in batting average before injuring his hamstring early this season and has also won back-to-back Gold Gloves. Kwan is earning the league minimum salary this season.

 
18 of 24

Overpaid left fielder: Andrew Benintendi, Chicago White Sox

Overpaid left fielder: Andrew Benintendi, Chicago White Sox
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Benintendi was an All-Star in 2022 but has struggled since joining the White Sox last season. He signed a five-year, $75 million contract before posting a .682 OPS last season, and his OPS was only .503 through 40 games this season. Benintendi makes $17.1 million this season.

 
19 of 24

Underpaid center fielder: Brenton Doyle, Colorado Rockies

Underpaid center fielder: Brenton Doyle, Colorado Rockies
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Doyle came up last season as an all-defensive center fielder, winning a Gold Glove but struggling at the plate. His entire game has been working for him this season, hitting .274-5-13 with eight steals and a .786 OPS through 43 games while continuing to play exemplary defense. Doyle earns the league minimum salary.

 
20 of 24

Overpaid center fielder: Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

Overpaid center fielder: Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
Bruce Kluckhohn / USA Today Sports Images

Buxton signed a seven-year, $100 million extension with the Twins in 2022, but has struggled since injuries. He was stuck at DH in 2023, posting a .731 OPS in 85 games. The injuries continued early this year, and Buxton had a .691 OPS in 28 games before going on the IL. He is making just over $15.1 million during each season of the contract.

 
21 of 24

Underpaid right fielder: Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros

Underpaid right fielder: Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros
Wendell Cruz / USA Today Sports Images

Tucker isn't exactly cheap, making $12 million this season. However, he's one of the favorites to win AL MVP with his incredible start to the season, hitting .288-13-29 with a 1.015 OPS through 44 games.

 
22 of 24

Overpaid right fielder: George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays

Overpaid right fielder: George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Springer showed decline last season, and the wheels have started to fall off early in 2024. He's hit only .196-3-6 with a .558 OPS through 39 games played. Now in the fourth season of a six-year deal, Springer is earning more than $24.1 million this season.

 
23 of 24

Underpaid designated hitter: Bryan De La Cruz, Miami Marlins

Underpaid designated hitter: Bryan De La Cruz, Miami Marlins
Darren Yamashita / USA Today Sports Images

De La Cruz has seen the majority of his playing time at designated hitter this season, and done a solid job for the lowly Marlins. He's hit .257-9-25 with a .760 OPS through 46 games played while earning the league minimum.

 
24 of 24

Overpaid designated hitter: Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies

Overpaid designated hitter: Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies
Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

Colorado has shown admirable loyalty to Blackmon, but he's overpaid now that he's nearing the end of his career. Blackmon is making $13 million this season but has started the year hitting only .239-1-18 in 37 games played.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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