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Who is the highest-paid starting pitcher in MLB? Mets' Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander tied at top
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- Who is the highest-paid starting pitcher in MLB? Mets' Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander tied at top
The New York Mets will pay starter pitchers Max Scherzer , 38, and Justin Verlander , 40, very handsomely - the two former Cy Young winners will each earn $43.3 million this season.
Verlander and Scherzer, who played together for five years with the Detroit Tigers , were reunited thanks to Mets owner and billionaire Steve Cohen. The Mets signed Scherzer to a three-year, $130 million contract a year ago and Verlander to a two-year, $86.6 million deal this offseason.
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Scherzer held the title for the highest annual average contract ($43.3 million) in baseball history until Verlander matched him.
Scerhzer's deal shattered the record for average annual value set by the crosstown New York Yankees and Gerrit Cole ($36 million).
Who are the highest-paid MLB starting pitchers in 2023?
Here's the top 10:
T-1. RH Max Scherzer, N.Y. Mets, $43,333,333
T-1. RH Justin Verlander, N.Y. Mets, $43,333,333
3. RH Gerrit Cole, N.Y. Yankees, $36,000,000
4. RH Stephen Strasburg , Washington, $32,500,286
T-5. RH Shohei Ohtani , L.A. Angels, $30,000,000
T-5. RH Jacob deGrom , Texas , $30,000,000
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T-7. RH Marcus Stroman, Chicago Cubs , $25,000,000
T-7. RH Yu Darvish , San Diego , $25,000,000
9. LH Zack Wheeler , Philadelphia , $24,500,000
10. RH Patrick Corbin , Washington, $24,416,667
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Max Scherzer signed a three-year, $130 million deal with the Mets in 2022.
What are the biggest contracts ever for a starting pitcher in MLB?
Here's the list, by total value:
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1. Gerrit Cole, $324,000,000 (2020-28)
2. Stephen Strasburg, $245,000,000 (2020-26)
3. David Price, $217,000,000 (2016-22) (signed as a SP)
4. Clayton Kershaw , $215,000,000 (2014-20)
5. Max Scherzer, $210,000,000 (2015-21)
6. Zack Greinke , $206,500,000 (2016-21)
7. Jacob deGrom, $185,000,000 (2023-27)
8. Justin Verlander, $180,000,000 (2013-19)
T-9. Felix Hernandez, $175,000,000 (2013-19)
T-9. Stephen Strasburg, $175,000,000 (2017-23)
11. Carlos Rodón , $162,000,000 (2023-28)
12. CC Sabathia, $161,000,000 (2009-15)
T-13. Masahiro Tanaka, $155,000,000 (2014-20)
T-13. Jon Lester, $155,000,000 (2015-20)
15. Zack Greinke, $147,000,000 (2013-18)
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16. Chris Sale , $145,000,000 (2020-24)
17. Cole Hamels, $144,000,000 (2013-18)
18. Patrick Corbin, $140,000,000 (2019-24)
T-19. Johan Santana, $137,500,000 (2008-13)
T-19. Jacob deGrom, $137,500,000 (2019-23)
21. Jose Berrios , $131,000,000 (2022-28)
T-22. Johnny Cueto , $130,000,000 (2016-21)
T-22. Max Scherzer, $130,000,000 (2022-24)
24. Matt Cain, $127,500,000 (2012-17)
T-25. Barry Zito, $126,000,000 (2007-13)
T-25. Yu Darvish, $126,000,000 (2018-23)
Source: USA TODAY Sports, Cot's Baseball Contracts
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest-paid MLB starting pitcher: Biggest SP salaries for 2023 season
