The MLB’s Biggest Salary Bargains Over $1 Million

Many people would love to play major-league baseball for hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, but free agency in the MLB can be tough. There’s no salary cap, but it takes time for players to hit free agency for a huge payday, which leads some players to taking team-friendly deals for long-term security early in their careers. There are dozens of players that are drastically underpaid, but we’re focusing on the underpaid players that are off their original salary and up over $1 million/year now. These are the MLB’s best salary bargains over $1 million. [The salary numbers are via spotrac.]

 

Kris Bryant: $10.9 million

A lot of you might remember the saga between the Cubs and Bryant, when Chicago kept him in the minor leagues for a few weeks longer so that they had an extra year of team control over him. A couple of years ago, Bryant set a pre-arbitration-record of just over $1 million; and this year, he received a first-year-arbitration-record of nearly $10.9 million. But he’s still being underpaid as a former National League MVP. A deal that doubles or triples Bryant’s current salary will happen at some point, but he can’t be an unrestricted free agent until 2022.

 

Corey Kluber: $10.7 million

Corey Kluber is a two-time Cy Young Award winner (including last year) at 32 years old, yet he’s still paid much less than many of the other starting pitchers in the majors. He still obviously has plenty of money, but Kluber would be making a lot more if he hit the open market today.

 

Mookie Betts: $10.5 million

Like Kris Bryant, Mookie Betts is a first-year arbitration player, and he neared Bryant’s record deal with $10.5 million. Betts is arguably one of the top five players in baseball, so his salary is an absolute steal for the Red Sox. Betts is hitting .338 this season, and he’s on pace for over 40 home runs for one of the best teams in the majors.

 

Jacob deGrom: $7.4 million

Honestly, I thought Jacob deGrom was about 27 years old. But he’s already 30 yet won’t be an unrestricted free agent until he’s 33. However, with trade rumors swirling, the Mets are at a crossroads. They could trade deGrom for a bunch of prospects, but they could also potentially just give him a big extension now and keep him for the long haul. Either way, he’s certainly underpaid right now.

 

Christian Yelich: $7 million

Christian Yelich signed one of those team-friendly deals with long-term security for himself back in 2015 with the Marlins, and it made him an excellent trade chip when Miami tore the team down. Now, the Brewers have the smooth All-Star outfielder at $7 million this season, and the salary only gets up to $14 million in 2021. Yelich could be getting paid more, but he’ll hit free agency for a huge payday while he could still be in his prime in a few years.

 

Gerrit Cole: $6.8 million

Former number one overall pick Gerrit Cole feels like he’s been around longer than he is. Cole is still only 27, and he’s in arbitration years with the Astros. With a 9-1 record and a 2.56 ERA this season, the former Pirate will get a major salary increase soon.

 

Odubel Herrera: $3.4 million

As a former Rule 5 selection of the Phillies, Odubel Herrera played well in the majors and cashed in with a five-year contract for over $30 million. It was a good deal for both sides, as the funky an unorthodox centerfielder is rich, and the Phillies have an All-Star at a great price. The annual salary will go up each year, but Herrera’s contract is a bargain.

 

Noah Syndergaard: $3 million

If Noah Syndergaard hadn’t battled so many injury issues throughout his career, his first-year arbitration salary would probably be about double this $3 million he’s earning in 2018. Syndergaard has missed more time this season with a finger injury, but he’s a beast when healthy and on the mound.

 

Jose Ramirez: $2.8 million

The Indians have a major bargain with Jose Ramirez, as the Dominican slugger will make less than $10 million every season through 2021, and then Cleveland has a team option for 2022 and 2023. For 2018, $2.8 million might be the best deal in the majors for a guy that’s hitting near .300 and is pushing for the league lead in homers.

 

Carlos Correa: $1 million

Carlos Correa hasn’t even hit arbitration yet, so he still has a while to go until he can hit unrestricted free agency. However, like many players, he might be extended before then by the Astros. If Correa simply waits until he’s eligible for free agency, he might get a similar contract to the one Manny Machado will get this offseason.