Highest Paid Baseball Players

Once again Highest Paid Baseball Players is looking at whether or not having a high salary gets you into the MLB playoffs, or better yet to the World Series. Which of the highest paid baseball players are in the playoffs? The 2011 MLB playoffs are here and October baseball is ready to rock. This article sees how many of the highest paid players in MLB actually get to flex their muscles, and earn their paycheck, in the playoffs.

We are dealing with only the top 25 highest-paid players in the MLB. Of the 25 players with the top highest salary in the 2011 MLB season, ten made the playoffs while 15 did not. Now that the Yankees and Phillies have been bounced only the Tiger’s Miguel Cabrera, Cardinal’s Matt Holiday and the Rangers Michael Young are still in the playoffs. As the LA Times’ Bill Shaikin noted, the lower payroll teams in the playoffs gives MLB a chance to toot its own horn and dismiss those saying baseball is broken.

Long story short, ten of the players on the top-25 highest paid MLB player list were playing baseball in October, with ten of the highest paid players watching playoff baseball from home. Think any of the players love baseball enough to buy 2011 World Series tickets to watch October baseball in person?

Of the four teams in the playoffs, three of them have one (and only one) player in the top 25 list. The Yankees and Phillies represented eight of the top-25 highest paid players that played for a team in the playoffs. It looks like in 2011 the New York Yankee’s payroll again got the team into the payroll. The Yankees have the four highest paid players in all of baseball, (ARod, CC, Jeter, and Teixeira) and AJ Burnett the 20th highest paid player in baseball. So it looks like the Yankees $196,854,630 payroll (down from $206,738,389 in 2010) got the team into the playoffs again. Unfortunately for Yankee fans it was not enough to get the team to the ALCS, as they lost to the Tigers in the ALDS.

Of the teams still in the playoffs, the Detroit Tigers had the highest 2011 payroll $105,705,232 (ten highest in the MLB), the St. Louis Cardinals were at $98,746,072 (12th), the Texas Rangers $91,885,265 and the Brewers had $85,497,333, 16th in the bigs. Its important to point out these three of the teams were in the upper-highest half, with the Brewers just over the half mark with 16.

The following players are still paying baseball and were also in the top 25 list, the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera, the Cardinals’ Matt Holiday and the Rangers’ Michael Young. The Yankees and Phillies represented seven of the players on the top 25 list, with Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and AJ Burnett on the list for the Yanks, and Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard and Roy Oswalt for the Phils.

Here are the players in the top 25 highest paid baseball players list whose team missed the 2011 playoffs: Vernon Wells (Angels), Joe Mauer (Twins), Johan Santana (Mets), Todd Helton (Rockies), Carlos Lee (Astros), Alfonso Soriano (Cubs), Carlos Zambrano (Cubs), Torri Hunter (Angels), Barry Zito (Giants), Jason Bay (Mets), Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners), Josh Beckett (Red Sox), Jake Peavy (White Sox), John Lackey (Red Sox).

Its no surprise that Alex Rodriguez comes in at #1 on the list of highest paid baseball players. With Alex Rodriguez’s 2011 salary being $32,000,000, the New York Yankees Third Baseman is the highest paid player in all of sports. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Alex Rodriguez will be paid $32,000,000 to play Third Baseman for the New York Yankees. He is the highest paid player on a roster that has five players on the list of highest contracts.

Can you believe Vernon Wells is the #2 highest paid baseball player in 2011. And even more unbelievable, the Angels took that contract from the Blue Jays! With Vernon Wells’s 2011 salary being $26,187,500, the Los Angeles Angels Outfielder will have to earn his keep this year. its been called the worst contract in sports, and we can’t argue with that. You heard right, in 2011 Vernon Wells will be paid $26,187,500 to hit and play outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, of Anaheim.

 

Yankees Ace CC Sabathia comes in #3 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. And with the most appearances by a Yankee pitcher the past two years, not to mention being the only reliable pitcher on the rotation, He is earning his money! With CC Sabathia’s 2011 salary being $24,285,714, the New York Yankees Pitcher will have to earn his keep this year. Yes that’s right, in 2011 CC Sabathia will be paid $24,285,714 to pitch for the New York Yankees. He is the second-highest paid player on the Yankees, and the third highest paid player in baseball.

Mark Teixeira comes in #4 on the list of highest paid baseball players, the first least paid of the three Yankees in the to four of highest paid players. The Yankees love giving players money, and Mark Teixeira’s 2011 salary of $23,125,000 makes him one of the highest paid athletes in sports. The New York Yankees First Baseman will have to earn his keep this year among a murderers row of heavy hitters. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Mark Teixeira will be paid $23,125,000 to play First Baseman for the New York Yankees.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer comes in #5 on the list of highest paid baseball players. When he was a free-agent, it didn’t look like the Twins would have the money to keep Mauer around. But they opened their wallet and gave him one of the most generous deals in the bigs. But with Joe Mauer’s 2011 salary $23,000,000 come big expectations. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Joe Mauer will be paid $23,000,000 to catch, and hit, for the Minnesota Twins and their new Target Field.

Mets Ace Johan Santana comes in #6 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011, although he has not thrown a pitch yet. With Johan Santana’s 2011 salary being $21,644,707, New York Mets are hoping he can get some wins this year. The Mets are having a hard time winning games or selling tickets, but that is not on Johan. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Johan Santana, currently on the DL will be paid $21,644,707 to pitch for the New York Mets.

Rockies first-baseman Todd Helton comes in #7 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. Helton was once among the most feared hitters in baseball, and even though his bat speed has dropped a bit, he can still get it done like nobody’s business. With Todd Helton’s 2011 salary being $20,275,000, the Colorado Rockies are expecting him to get the Rockies back to the playoffs. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Todd Helton will be paid $20,275,000 by the Rockies. We’re hoping he can get it going and lead this spunky Rockies team back to the post-season.

Miguel Cabrera, among the AL’s most feared hitters, comes in #8 on the list of highest paid baseball players for this years. With Miguel Cabrera’s 2011 salary being $20,000,000, the Detroit Tigers First Baseman will have to earn his keep this year. He’s had some off-the-field issues, especially involving alcohol, but when he’s in the batters box boy can he hit! Yes that’s right, in 2011 Miguel Cabrera will be paid $20 million to play First Baseman for the Detroit Tigers.

Roy Halladay is tied with teammate Ryan Howard at #8 on the list of highest paid baseball players. The Phillies were able to grab Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays, and in 2011 paired him with Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt. Even without the salary of $20,000,000, Halladay is thrilled to pitch on the Phillies rotation. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Roy Halladay will be paid $20 million to pitch for the Phillies.

The Phillies Ryan Howard comes in #8 on the 2011 MLB salary list. The Phillies have the pitching to hang with anyone, but the question is run support. With Ryan Howard’s making $20,000,000, the Philadelphia Phillies First Baseman will have to earn his keep this year. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Ryan Howard will be paid $20 million to play First Baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies this year.

Carlos Beltran comes in #11 on the list of highest players this year. The Mets have a number of players on the list of highest paid baseball players, including Jason Bay, and Johan Santana, but unfortunately the money they spend has not translated to wins. With Carlos Beltran’s 2011 salary being $19,325,436, the New York Mets Outfielder will have to earn his keep this year. There is also plenty of speculation that the Mets will trade Beltran, but that will likely come down to the NL East Standings before the trade deadline. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Carlos Beltran will be paid $19,325,436 to play Outfielder for the New York Mets.

“El Caballo” Carlos Lee comes in #12 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. Carlos Lee’s 2011 salary is $19,000,000, and Houston Astros fans are hoping he can keep the team competitive in the Central. The outfielder will have to earn his keep this year because the Astros have some question marks. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Carlos Lee will be paid $19,000,000 to play Outfielder for the Houston Astros this year. He’s had some huge hits at Minute Maid Park, and expect more of the same this year.

 

Alfonso Soriano comes in #12 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. With Alfonso Soriano’s 2011 salary being $19,000,000, the Chicago Cubs are counting on him to keep the Cubs competitive in the NL Central. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Alfonso Soriano will be paid $19,000,000 to play Outfielder for the Chicago Cubs. If they buy Red Sox vs Cubs tickets, Boston fans will get a chance to see Soriano again when the Cubs visit Fenway May. Boston recalls when Soriano was the up-and-comer on the Yankees Roster.

 

 

The enigmatic Carlos Zambrano is the 14th highest paid player in professional baseball. He’s had an up and down career, but with Zambrano’s salary being $18,875,000, the Cubs Pitcher will have to earn his keep this year. He’s going to have to play hard if the Cubs are ever going to get rid of the curse of the billy goat. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Carlos Zambrano will be paid $18,875,000 to pitch for the Chicago Cubs.

 

 

Angel’s outfielder Torii Hunter comes in #15 on the list of highest paid baseball players. After a great career with the Twins, the Angels gave Hunter a fat contract to play outfield at Angels Stadium. With Torii Hunter’s 2011 salary being $18,500,000, the Los Angeles Angels Outfielder will have to earn his keep this year. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Torii Hunter will be paid $18,500,000 to play Outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels.

 

At #8, Miguel Cabrera is tied with Roy Halladay and Ryan Howard with a yearly salary of $20 million. THere is no question Cabrera can hit, but his off-field antics leave somehting to be desired.

 

comes in #8 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. With Miggy’s salary being $2,000,0000, the Detroit Tigers First Baseman will have to earn his keep this year. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Miguel Cabrera will be paid $2,000,0000 to play First Baseman for the Detroit Tigers.

Barry Zito comes in #15 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. He was the highest paid player on the World Series Champion roster, and is still right up at the top of the Giants salary this year. With Barry Zito’s 2011 salary being $18,500,000, the San Francisco Giants Pitcher will have to earn his keep this year. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Barry Zito will be paid $18,500,000 to pitch for the San Francisco Giants.

 

The Met’s Jason Bay comes is the 17th highest paid player in MLB in 2011. Nothing comes easy to the Mets, and with Jason Bay’s 2011 salary being $18,125,000, the New York Mets Outfielder will have to earn his keep this year. He’s on a team with solid players, so expect the Mets to at least put up a fight. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Jason Bay will be paid $18,125,000 to play Outfielder for the New York Mets. And he’s not the only Met on this list either.

 

 

The Mariner’s Ichiro Suzuki comes in #18 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. Ichiro has been one of the most consistent players in the MLB for ages, and the Mariners and their fans know what to expect from his salary. As one of the best hitters ever to play the game, the Mariner’s outfielder looks to once again earn his $18,000,000 salary. How many hits will he get this year?

 

 

The Red Sox once-ace Josh Beckett comes in #19 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. Theo Epstein and the Sox front office surprised many onlookers by giving Beckett a huge contract on opening day in 2010. Now the pressure is on Beckett to prove he is still an elite major league pitcher. With Josh Beckett’s 2011 salary being $17,000,000, the Boston Red Sox Pitcher will have to earn his keep this year. If Beckett can’t regain his former form, it could be one of the larger salaries out there from players who are not performing.

 

 

The Yankee’s A.J. Burnett comes in #20 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. He had a great year in 2009, but struggled a bit in 2010, so now the pressure is on the justify the contract the Yankees front office awarded him. With A.J. Burnett’s 2011 salary being $16,500,000, the New York Yankees Pitcher will have to earn his keep this year. Yes that’s right, in 2011 A.J. Burnett will be paid $16,500,000 to pitch for the New York Yankees.

 

 

The Cardinal’s Matt Holliday comes in #21 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. With Matt Holliday’s 2011 salary being $16,317,774, the St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder will have to earn his keep this year. Sure all the talk is about Albert Pujols, but Holliday has had his share of hits. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Matt Holliday will be paid $16,317,774 to play Outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.

 

The Rangers Michael Young comes in #22 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011. It’s well known he’s not happy about being the Rangers DH, so we’ll see how long he stays with the club. With Michael Young’s 2011 salary being $16,174,974, the Texas Rangers Infielder will have to earn his keep this year. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Michael Young will be paid $16,174,974 to be the Texas Rangers’s designated hitter.

 

The Phillies’s Roy Oswalt comes in #23 on the list of highest paid baseball players in 2011, not the only Philly pitcher the list of 25 highest paid players. With Roy Oswalt’s 2011 salary being $16,000,000, the Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher will have to earn his keep this year among a formidable rotation. Yes that’s right, in 2011 Roy Oswalt will be paid $16,000,000 to pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies, along with some of the finest arms in MLB.