Swatting Past Predecessors

New York Mets’ outfielder Juan Soto has penned a groundbreaking deal worth $765 million over 15 years, which sets the new standard in Major League Baseball history.

More astonishing is the $122,275,000 he took home in the 2025 season alone, becoming the first player to crack the $120 million mark in a single campaign.

MLB Salary Milestones

Throughout the game’s history, select players have left their mark in the annals of baseball salaries.

• First to break $10,000: Ty Cobb ($12,000 with Detroit Tigers in 1913)
• First $50,000 season: Babe Ruth ($52,000 with New York Yankees in 1922)
• First to surpass $100,000: Joe DiMaggio ($100,000 with Yankees in 1949)
• First player with $250,000+ season: Dick Allen ($250,000 with Chicago White Sox in 1974)
• First half-million ($500,000+) earner in a season: Mike Schmidt with Philadelphia Phillies in 1977

Before Soto, Stars Shone Brightest

While significant, these figures pale in comparison to recent major league salary landmarks.

• First $1,000,000+ season: Nolan Ryan ($1,000,000 with Houston Astros in 1980)
• First $5,000,000+ season: Bobby Bonilla ($6,100,000 with NY Mets in 1992)
• First $10,000,000+ season: Albert Belle ($10,000,000 with Chicago White Sox in 1997)
• First $20,000,000+ and $30,000,000+ seasons: Alex Rodriguez ($23,250,000 with Rangers in 2001 and $33,000,000 with Yankees in 2009)
• First $40,000,000+ seasons: Max Scherzer ($43,333,333) and Francisco Lindor ($48,000,000) with NY Mets in 2022
• First $50,000,000+ season: Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($55,000,000 with Dodgers in 2024)