MLB
Carson Kelly
Carson Kelly
Chicago Cubs, Catcher
Age: 30y-5m-8d (Jul 14, 1994)
Exp: 6.161 Years
Country: US
Drafted: Round 2 (#86 overall), 2012
Agent(s): CAA Sports
2025 Payroll Salary
$5,000,000
2025 Cash
$5,000,000
Career Earnings
$16,133,114
2025-2027 Free Agent (CURRENT)
Carson Kelly signed a 2 year , $11,500,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs, including $11,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,750,000. In 2025, Kelly will earn a base salary of $5,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $5,000,000.
Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $11,500,000
Average Salary:
$5,750,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2028 / UFA
| Year | Age | Status | PayrollAnnual | Luxury Tax | Tax % League Tax | Cash Annual | Cash Cumulative | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
|
30 | $5,000,000 | $5,750,000 | 2.39% | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | |
| 2026 |
|
31 | $5,000,000 | $5,750,000 | 2.36% | $5,000,000 | $10,000,000 | |
| 2027 |
|
32 |
Mutual
|
$7,500,000 | $5,750,000 | - | $1,500,000 | $11,500,000 |
| 2028 |
|
33 |
UFA |
| Year | Age | Service | Status | Base Salary | Incentives Likely | Incentives Unlikely | Payroll Salary | Luxury Tax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
|
30 | 6.161 | $5,000,000 | - | - | $5,000,000 | $5,750,000 | |
| 2026 |
|
31 | - | $5,000,000 | - | - | $5,000,000 | $5,750,000 | |
| 2027 |
|
32 | - |
Mutual
|
$7,500,000 | - | - | $7,500,000 | $5,750,000 |
| 2028 |
|
33 | -- |
UFA |
| Year | Age | Status | Base Salary | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative | Cash Remaining | AYC Cumulative | AYC Remaining | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
|
30 | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $6,500,000 | $5,000,000 | $3,833,333 | |
| 2026 |
|
31 | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $1,500,000 | $5,000,000 | $3,250,000 | |
| 2027 |
|
32 |
Mutual |
$1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $11,500,000 | - | $3,833,333 | $1,500,000 |
Contract Notes
- 2027 Mutual Option includes a $1.5M buyout
- Games Started
81: $250,000
91: $250,000
Source:
MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.
2023-2024 free-agent-restricted-street
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $720,000 contract with the Detroit Tigers, including $720,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $720,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $720,000
Average Salary:
$720,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA
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2023-2023 Arbitration
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $4,275,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including $4,275,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,275,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $4,275,000
Average Salary:
$4,275,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA
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2022-2022 Arbitration
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $3,325,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including $3,325,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,325,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,325,000
Average Salary:
$3,325,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2021-2021 Arbitration
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $1,700,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including $1,700,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1,700,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,700,000
Average Salary:
$1,700,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2020-2020 Pre-Arbitration
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $581,700 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including $581,700 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $581,700.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $581,700
Average Salary:
$581,700
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2019-2019 Pre-Arbitration
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $560,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including $560,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $560,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $560,000
Average Salary:
$560,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2018-2018 Pre-Arbitration
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $545,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $545,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $545,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $545,000
Average Salary:
$545,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2017-2017 Pre-Arbitration
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $535,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $535,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $535,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $535,000
Average Salary:
$535,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2016-2016 Pre-Arbitration
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $507,500 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $507,500 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $507,500.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $507,500
Average Salary:
$507,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2012-2012 Signing Bonus
Carson Kelly signed a 1 year , $1,600,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $1,600,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1,600,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,600,000
Average Salary:
$1,600,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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Seasons
6.161 Years
Career Earnings thru 2025
$16,133,114
Earnings w/ Different Teams
4 teams
Earnings Per Year
| Year | Age | Team(s) | Status | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 17 |
|
Signing Bonus
|
$1,600,000 |
$1,600,000 |
|
| 2016 | 21 |
|
Active
|
$80,417 |
$1,680,417 |
|
| 2017 | 22 |
|
Active
|
$535,000 |
$2,215,417 |
|
| 2018 | 23 |
|
Active
|
$175,800 |
$2,391,217 |
|
| 2019 | 24 |
|
Active
|
$560,000 |
$2,951,217 |
|
| 2020 | 25 |
|
Active
|
$215,444 |
$3,166,661 |
|
| 2021 | 26 |
|
Active / Arb Avoided
|
$1,700,000 |
$4,866,661 |
|
| 2022 | 27 |
|
Active / Arb Avoided
|
$3,325,000 |
$8,191,661 |
|
| 2023 | 28 |
|
Retained
Active
|
$4,275,000 $166,453 |
$12,466,661 $12,633,114 |
|
| 2024 | 29 |
 |
Retained
Active / Club Exercised
|
$2,333,346 $1,166,654 |
$14,966,460 $16,133,114 |
|
| Total |
$16,133,114 |
$14,966,460 $16,133,114 |
||||
| 2025 | 30 |
|
Active
|
$5,000,000 |
||
| 2026 | 31 |
|
Active
|
$5,000,000 |
||
| 2027 | 32 |
|
Active / Mutual
|
$1,500,000 |
||
| Total |
$27,633,114 |
Earnings Per Team
| Years | Team | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 |
|
$791,217 | $1,600,000 | - | $2,391,217 |
| 5 |
|
$10,075,444 | - | - | $10,075,444 |
| 2 |
|
$2,499,799 | - | - | $2,499,799 |
| 1 |
|
$1,166,654 | - | - | $1,166,654 |
| Year | Team(s) | Age | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 |
|
17 |
$1,600,000 |
$1,600,000 |
$1,600,000 |
||
| 2016 |
|
21 |
$80,417
|
$80,417 |
$1,680,417 |
||
| 2017 |
|
22 |
$535,000
|
$535,000 |
$2,215,417 |
||
| 2018 |
|
23 |
$175,800
|
$175,800 |
$2,391,217 |
||
| 2019 |
|
24 |
$560,000
|
$560,000 |
$2,951,217 |
||
| 2020 |
|
25 |
$215,444
|
$215,444 |
$3,166,661 |
||
| 2021 |
|
26 |
$1,700,000
|
$1,700,000 |
$4,866,661 |
||
| 2022 |
|
27 |
$3,325,000
|
$3,325,000 |
$8,191,661 |
||
| 2023 |
|
28 |
$4,275,000 $166,453
|
$4,275,000 $166,453 |
$12,466,661 $12,633,114 |
||
| 2024 |
|
29 |
$2,333,346 $1,166,654
|
$2,333,346 $1,166,654 |
$14,966,460 $16,133,114 |
||
| Total |
$14,533,114 |
$1,600,000 |
$16,133,114 |
$14,966,460 $16,133,114 |
|||
| 2025 |
|
30 |
$5,000,000
|
$5,000,000 |
|||
| 2026 |
|
31 |
$5,000,000
|
$5,000,000 |
|||
| 2027 |
|
32 |
$1,500,000
|
$1,500,000 |
|||
| Total |
$26,033,114 |
$1,600,000 |
$27,633,114 |
Earnings Per Team
| Years | Team | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 |
|
$791,217 | $1,600,000 | - | $2,391,217 |
| 5 |
|
$10,075,444 | - | - | $10,075,444 |
| 2 |
|
$2,499,799 | - | - | $2,499,799 |
| 1 |
|
$1,166,654 | - | - | $1,166,654 |
Injuries
| Year | Dates | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |
ARI |
Mar 30, 2023 - Jun 12, 2023 | Arm |
| 2022 |
ARI |
May 05, 2022 - Jun 11, 2022 | Oblique |
| 2021 |
ARI |
Jun 20, 2021 - Jul 31, 2021 | Wrist |
| 2021 |
ARI |
May 15, 2021 - May 24, 2021 | Toe |
| 2018 |
STL |
May 17, 2018 - May 26, 2018 | Hamstring |
-
Dec 13, 2024
Signed a 2 year $11.5 million contract with Chicago (CHC), including a mutual option for 2027
-
Jul 28, 2024
Traded to Texas (TEX) from Detroit (DET) for Tyler Owens and Liam Hicks
-
Nov 06, 2023
Detroit (DET) exercised a $3.5 million option for 2024
-
Aug 19, 2023
Signed a contract with Detroit (DET)
-
Aug 16, 2023
Released by Arizona (ARI)
-
Aug 13, 2023
Designated for Assignment by Arizona (ARI)
-
Jan 13, 2023
Signed a 1 year $4.275 million contract with Arizona (ARI), avoiding arbitration
-
Mar 22, 2022
Signed a 1 year $3.325 million contract with Arizona (ARI), avoiding arbitration
-
Jan 15, 2021
Signed a 1 year $1.7 million contract with Arizona (ARI), avoiding arbitration
-
Mar 05, 2020
Signed a 1 year $581,700 contract with Arizona (ARI)
-
Mar 05, 2019
Signed a 1 year $560,000 contract with Arizona (ARI)
-
Dec 05, 2018
Traded to Arizona (ARI) from St. Louis (STL) with Luke Weaver|17703, Andy Young and 2019 1st round pick for Paul Goldschmidt
-
Sep 04, 2016
Contract purchased by St. Louis (STL)
-
Jun 10, 2012
Signed a contract with St. Louis (STL)
-
Jun 05, 2012
Drafted by St. Louis (STL): Round 2 (#86 overall)
| Year | Team | GP | GS | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | K | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | TEX | 91 | 82 | 313 | 281 | 32 | 67 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 37 | 105 | 25 | 55 | 0 | .238 | .313 | .374 | .687 | 0.70 |
| 2023 | DET | 52 | 44 | 151 | 136 | 13 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 39 | 14 | 40 | 1 | .206 | .278 | .287 | .565 | -0.08 |
| 2022 | ARI | 104 | 88 | 354 | 317 | 40 | 67 | 18 | 0 | 7 | 35 | 106 | 29 | 71 | 2 | .211 | .282 | .334 | .616 | 0.85 |
| 2021 | ARI | 98 | 80 | 358 | 304 | 41 | 73 | 11 | 1 | 13 | 46 | 125 | 44 | 74 | 0 | .240 | .344 | .411 | .755 | 2.15 |
| 2020 | ARI | 39 | 34 | 129 | 122 | 11 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 19 | 47 | 6 | 29 | 0 | .221 | .264 | .385 | .649 | -0.32 |
| 2019 | ARI | 111 | 85 | 365 | 314 | 46 | 77 | 19 | 0 | 18 | 47 | 150 | 48 | 79 | 0 | .245 | .348 | .478 | .826 | 1.67 |
| 2018 | STL | 19 | 11 | 39 | 35 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 0 | .114 | .205 | .114 | .319 | -0.42 |
| 2017 | STL | 34 | 14 | 75 | 69 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 5 | 11 | 0 | .174 | .240 | .217 | .457 | -0.43 |
| 2016 | STL | 10 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .154 | .214 | .231 | .445 | -0.01 |
Calculated Market Value
Market Value
- 1 years, $2,160,650
- Avg. Salary: $2,160,650
- MLB Rank: 343
- C Rank: 28
Current Contract
- Free Agent: 2028
- Avg. Salary: $5,750,000
- MLB Rank: 219
- C Rank: 15
Comparable Players
We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Carson Kelly to.
| Player | Length | Value | Avg. Salary | Age When Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Nola | 1 | $975,000 | $975,000 | 34 |
| Luke Maile | 1 | $3,500,000 | $3,500,000 | 32 |
| Victor Caratini | 2 | $12,000,000 | $6,000,000 | 30 |
| Jose Trevino | 1 | $2,730,000 | $2,730,000 | 30 |
| Averages | 1 | $4,801,250 | $3,301,250 | 31.5 |
Base Calculated Value
After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Kelly's current age (30), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.
| Length | Value | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | $6,354,231 | $2,118,077 |
Statistical Comparisons
Now we'll compare our variables and Kelly statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP%, H/Gm, RBI/Gm, K/Gm, AVG/Yr, OPS, WOBP, ISO, WAR
| Player | GP% | H/Gm | RBI/Gm | K/Gm | AVG/Yr | OPS | WOBP | ISO | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Austin Nola
2022-2023
|
49.85 | 0.65 | 0.30 | 0.56 | 0.20 | 0.55 | 0.27 | 0.06 | 1.61 |
|
Luke Maile
2022-2023
|
47.53 | 0.53 | 0.27 | 0.67 | 0.23 | 0.66 | 0.31 | 0.13 | 2.38 |
|
Victor Caratini
2022-2023
|
48.77 | 0.67 | 0.37 | 0.71 | 0.23 | 0.68 | 0.32 | 0.13 | 1.49 |
|
Jose Trevino
2022-2023
|
52.31 | 0.68 | 0.34 | 0.49 | 0.23 | 0.62 | 0.29 | 0.12 | 3.27 |
| Average | 49.62 | 0.63 | 0.32 | 0.61 | 0.22 | 0.63 | 0.30 | 0.11 | 2.19 |
|
Carson Kelly
2023-2024
|
42.51 | 0.67 | 0.39 | 0.70 | 0.23 | 0.65 | 0.31 | 0.12 | 1.85 |
| Pct Change | -14.33 | 6.35 | 21.88 | -14.75 | 5.00 | 3.65 | 2.00 | 9.09 | -15.53 |
| Median Prime % Change | 3.65% | ||||||||
| Average Prime % Change | 0.37% | ||||||||
Calculated Market Value: Carson Kelly
After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.
| Terms | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| 1 years, $2,160,650 | $2,160,650 |
