2022 MLB All Stars, Financially

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertJuly 11, 2022
© USA TODAY Sports

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Starting Pitchers

The AL rotation includes one of its highest paid, an ageless wonder, and plenty of contractual value down the line. Gerrit Cole's $36M salary ranks 2nd only to Max Scherzer, who would have found his way here had he avoided injury. Justin Verlander's return to the mound from injury has been nothing short of spectacular, and he's now only 30 innings away from unlocking a $25M player option for the 2023 season.

Player Team 22 Salary Status
Shane McClanahan Rays $711,400 Control thru '27
Nestor Cortes Yankees $727,500 Control thru '25
Alek Manoah Blue Jays $730,000 Control thru '27
Framber Valdez Astros $3,000,000 Control thru '25
Martin Perez Rangers $4,000,000 Pending UFA
Paul Blackburn Athletics $710,000 Control thru '25
Gerrit Cole Yankees $36,000,000 Signed thru '28
Justin Verlander Astros $25,000,000 Option thru '23
Shohei Ohtani Angels $5,500,000 Control thru '23

 

Relief Pitchers

While other organizations are paying single relievers upwards of $20M per year (unsuccessfully), the Guardians remain on brand, getting extreme value out of their most important positions. Emmanuel Clase will make $20M over the next 5 seasons to hold down the back end of Cleveland's pen. All of these relievers have considerable team control left.

Player Team 22 Salary Status
Clay Holmes Yankees $1,100,000 Control thru '24
Emmanuel Clase Guardians $1,900,000 Signed thru '28
Gregory Soto Tigers $722,400 Control thru '25
Jorge Lopez Orioles $1,500,000 Control thru '24

 

Positional Starters

Lotta star power here. Judge highlights this list not only because of his production, but also his expiring contract status. Ohtani and Devers aren't far behind, and both have serious question marks about staying with their current franchises. When will the Blue Jays strike financially with Vlad? When will Trout cry uncle with the floundering Angels?

Player Pos Team 22 Salary Status
Alejandro Kirk C Blue Jays $714,000 Control thru '26
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B Blue Jays $7,900,000 Control thru '25
Jose Altuve 2B Astros $29,000,000 Signed thru '24
Rafael Devers 3B Red Sox $11,200,000 Control thru '23
Tim Anderson SS White Sox $9,500,000 Signed thru '24
Shohei Ohtani DH Angels $5,500,000 Control thru '23
Aaron Judge OF Yankees $19,000,000 Pending UFA
Mike Trout OF Angels $37,116,666 Signed thru '30
Giancarlo Stanton OF Yankees $29,000,000 Signed thru '27

 

Reserves

Miggy Cabrera and Julio Rodriguez aren't here as gimmicks, they've both had excellent first halfs - despite coming from opposite ends of the career spectrum. Benintendi is one of the top trade candidates this month, and Bogaerts player option next year (plus Trevor Story's recent signing) has many monitoring the Boston offseason as well. Meanwhile, the Astros continue Astro-ing.

Player Pos Team 22 Salary Status
Yordan Alvarez DH Astros $764,600 Signed thru '28
Miguel Cabrera 1B Tigers $32,000,000 Signed thru '23
Xander Bogaerts SS Red Sox $20,000,000 Opt-out available
Jose Ramirez 3B Guardians $22,000,000 Signed thru '28
Jose Trevino C Yankees $720,000 Control thru '25
Luis Arraez 2B Twins $2,125,000 Control thru '25
Andres Gimenez SS Guardians $706,600 Control thru '25
George Springer OF Blue Jays $29,666,666 Signed thru '26
Byron Buxton OF Twins $9,142,857 Signed thru '28
Andrew Benintendi OF Royals $8,500,000 Pending UFA
Kyle Tucker OF Astros $764,200 Control thru '25
Julio Rodriguez OF Mariners $700,000 Control thru '28

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Starting Pitchers

Gonsolin and Alcantara have been lights out, and one should be throwing out the first pitch at the LA event. Castillo is a top trade candidate, Musgrove is a top extension candidate, and we may be witnessing a swan song season for Kershaw.

Player Team 22 Salary Status
Clayton Kershaw Dodgers $17,000,000 Pending UFA
Sandy Alcantara Marlins $3,800,000 Signed thru '27
Corbin Burnes Brewers $6,500,000 Control thru '24
Luis Castillo Reds $7,350,000 Control thru '23
Max Fried Braves $6,850,000 Control thru '24
Anthony Gonsolin Dodgers $720,000 Control thru '26
Joe Musgrove Padres $8,625,000 Pending UFA

 

Relief Pitchers

Edwin Diaz has been near unhittable, and yet is quietly heading toward the open market. Bednar and Mantiply will be fielding calls this deadline, and Josh Hader's extension situation in Milwaukee is worth monitoring over the next few months as well.

Player Team 22 Salary Status
Edwin Diaz Mets $10,200,000 Pending UFA
Josh Hader Brewers $11,000,000 Control thru '23
Ryan Helsley Cardinals $722,450 Control thru '25
David Bednar Pirates $715,000 Control thru '26
Joe Mantiply Diamondbacks $717,000 Control thru '26

 

Positional Starters

A third of these starters could hit the open market this fall, and all but Chisholm are well compensated currently. Contreras is a top trade candidate, Goldschmidt is an MVP candidate, and Trea Turner currently projects to a $32M per year extension.

Player Pos Team 22 Salary Status
Willson Contreras C Cubs $9,625,000 Pending UFA
Paul Goldschmidt 1B Cardinals $26,000,000 Signed thru '24
Jazz Chisholm 2B Marlins $718,000 Control thru '26
Manny Machado 3B Padres $32,000,000 Opt-out after '23
Trea Turner SS Dodgers $21,000,000 Pending UFA
Bryce Harper OF Phillies $27,538,462 Signed thru '31
Ronald Acuna Jr. OF Braves $15,000,000 Signed thru '28
Joc Pederson OF Giants $6,000,000 Pending UFA
Mookie Betts OF Dodgers $22,500,000 Signed thru '32

 

Reserves

The NL East is well represented here, as the Mets and Braves are putting together a big 2022. Pujols received a special selection, Arenado has already said he won't be opting out, Swanson is almost a shoo-in to hit the open market, and the Juan Soto contract/trade talks will only intensify as the Nationals plummet down the standings.

Player Pos Team 22 Salary Status
William Contreras C Braves $710,000 Control thru '27
Nolan Arenado 3B Cardinals $35,000,000 Opt-out after '22
Pete Alonso 1B Mets $7,400,000 Control thru '24
Albert Pujols DH Cardinals $2,500,000 Pending UFA
Jeff McNeil 2B Mets $3,000,000 Control thru '24
Travis d'Arnaud C Braves $8,000,000 Signed thru '24
C.J. Cron 1B Rockies $7,250,000 Signed thru '23
Dansby Swanson SS Braves $10,000,000 Pending UFA
Kyle Schwarber OF Phillies $19,000,000 Signed thru '25
Juan Soto OF Nationals $17,100,000 Control thru '24
Ian Happ OF Cubs $6,850,000 Control thru '23

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