10 highest paid MLB players in 2026 according to Forbes
Baseball has always been a big-money sport, but the 2026 Forbes list makes that clearer than ever. Between blockbuster contracts, global endorsement deals, and business ventures that extend well beyond the diamond, the top earners in MLB are pulling in numbers that would make even Wall Street take notice. The gap between the top and the rest tells its own story.
Shohei Ohtani sits in a different stratosphere entirely, earning more than double the second-highest earner on this list. That kind of financial dominance is rare in any sport, let alone one with as much competitive depth as baseball. What makes this list interesting is that salary alone doesn’t tell the full picture.
Off-field income, from endorsements to personal brand deals, plays a huge role in where these players land. Some of the biggest names in the game owe a significant chunk of their earnings to what they do away from the ballpark. Let’s count down from 10 to 1, with the biggest earner saved for last.
#10 Gerrit Cole — New York Yankees Cole will remain a Yankee for at least four more years | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images $37. 5M total earnings Cole is one of the most dependable starters in the American League, and his contract reflects that. The Yankees pay well for elite arms, and Cole has earned every dollar of his spot on this list.
MORE: Teams with most NCAA Tournament championship wins #9 Jacob deGrom — Texas Rangers Sep 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) throws the ball during the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images $38. 3M total earnings DeGrom’s career has been defined by brilliance interrupted by injury, but when healthy, there are few better pitchers in the game.
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