Hopefully, football fans have recovered from any Super Bowl hangovers and the realization that their football fix will have to wait until March 28, when the United Football League will kick off its 2025 season, introducing Friday Night Football to the airwaves.
However, despite Punxsutawney Phil’s unwelcome prediction of an extended winter, spring is in the air as those welcomed words of ‘pitchers and catchers report to spring training’ have been uttered as MLB players report to work. Take me out to the ballgame is just around the corner.
As mentioned in this column in recent weeks, MONEY always seems to be at the center of conversation regardless of which sport may be discussed. Baseball has been included, especially with the huge $765 million, 15-year mega deal Juan Soto signed with the New York Mets.
With anticipation for the upcoming season, I came across an article in Yardbarker, a baseball newsletter publication, detailing some interesting comparisons pertaining to the most overpaid & underpaid players at every MLB position. According to that publication’s findings, those results follow.
Starting pitcher:
Underpaid – Paul Skeenes, Pittsburgh Pirates. The 2024 Rookie of the Year enters his second MLB season, earning the league minimum $800,000.
Overpaid – Taijuan Walker, Philadelphia Phillies. Possessing a four-year $72 million deal, he isn’t expected to be in the starting rotation and is set to earn $18 million this season.
Closing pitcher:
Underpaid – Mason Miller, Athletics. An All-Star closer last season with 104 strikeouts in 65 innings, he will earn the league minimum of $800,000.
Overpaid – Ryan Pressly, Chicago Cubs. Recently traded to the Cubs from Houston, the mid-30s pitcher is showing signs of decline, but his $14 million salary is in the upper tier of relievers.
Catcher:
Underpaid – Patrick Bailey, San Francisco Giants. The reigning Gold Glove winner will earn the $800,000 league minimum.
Overpaid – Mitch Garver, Seattle Mariners. Will split time between catcher and DH. He hit .172 last season with 15 home runs while earning $12.5 million this year.
First Base:
Underpaid – Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs. Had a strong rookie season batting .248 with 21 home runs. He will earn the minimum of $800,000 this season.
Overpaid – Wilson Contreras, St. Louis Cardinals. Has been a catcher his entire career but will move to first base this season. He’s on the wrong side of 30, earning $18 million.
Second Base:
Underpaid – Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers. A natural shortstop who has shifted to second base. He won the Gold Glove and stole 50 bases last year. Will earn the minimum of $800,000.
Overpaid – Jeff McNeil, New York Mets. In the third year of a four-year $50 million contract. Hit .238 last year but will make $15.75 million this season.
Third Base:
Underpaid – Mark Vientos, New York Mets. Had a breakout season last year, hitting .266 with 27 home runs. Will earn the minimum of $800,000.
Overpaid – Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels. His contract has been a black eye for the Angels. He’s played a total of 257 games in five seasons. Still has two years left on his contract and will make $38.6 million this year.
Shortstop:
Underpaid – Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles. Has become a true superstar, winning Rookie of the Year in 2023 and fourth in MVP voting in 2024, hitting 37 home runs. Now, in his third year, he will still receive the league minimum.
Overpaid – Javier Baez, Detroit Tigers. Signed to a six-year $140 million deal; he keeps getting worse — hitting .184 last year. Will make $25 million this season.
Left Field:
Underpaid – Jareen Duran, Boston Red Sox. A standout outfielder, batting .285, 21 home runs, 34 steals while leading the American League in doubles and triples. Will earn $3,750,000.
Overpaid – Andrew Benintendi, Chicago White Sox. Signed to a five-year, $75 million contract in 2023, he hit .229 last year and will earn $17.1 million in 2025.
Center Field:
Underpaid – Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres. Won the Silver Slugger and finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting while hitting .292 with 24 home runs. Will earn the league minimum.
Overpaid – Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels. A superstar player beset with injuries in recent years. Played in only 29 games last year but will be paid $37.1 million this year.
Right Field:
Underpaid – Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks. A franchise player for the Diamondbacks, winning Rookie of the Year in 2023. Hit 22 home runs with 35 stolen bases in 2024. Will make $5.625 million this year.
Overpaid – Starling Marte, New York Mets. Plagued with injuries the past three years, he played only 94 games last year and struggled offensively. Will make $20.75 million in the final year of his current contract.
Designated Hitter:
Underpaid – Kerry Carpenter, Detroit Tigers. Enjoyed a productive season in 2024 batting .284 with 18 home runs. Will earn the league minimum salary in 2025.
Overpaid – Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies. Playing with a seven-year, $182 million contract, he hit .218 with 2 home runs last year. He is slated to earn $27 million a year for the next four years.
Getting their money’s worth is always the big gamble sports teams play when doling out contracts to players. As noted above, big money is not always smart money.
