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MLB's Highest-Paid Outfielders in 2026
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

MLB's Highest-Paid Outfielders in 2026

Originally posted on Athlon Sports  |  By Scott Boeck  |  Last updated Dec 18, 2025 11:44 AM ET

Juan Soto is baseball's highest-paid MLB player in 2026.

The New York Mets will pay the All-Star a hefty $46.8 million this season, thanks to a 15-year, $765 million contract, the largest deal in professional sports history.

The deal he signed before last season doesn't include a penny of deferred money and came with a $75 million signing bonus, along with an opt-out after the fifth year.

Kyle Tucker is the top free agent this winter. He is expected to command a massive deal, with projections ranging from $350 million to over $400 million.

Here's a look at the highest-paid outfielders heading into the 2026 season, according to Spotrac.com (as of Dec. 15):

Highest-paid outfielders by 2026 salary

1. Juan Soto, Mets – $46,875,000 (15 years, $765,000,000)

2. Aaron Judge, Yankees – $40,000,000 (9 years, $360,000,000)

3. Mike Trout, Angels – $35,450,000 (12 years, $426,500,000)

Mike Trout is a three-time American League MVP.William Liang-Imagn Images

4. George Springer, Blue Jays – $22,500,000 (6 years, $150,000,000)

5. Trent Grisham, Yankees – $22,025,000 (1 year, $22,025,000)

6. Christian Yelich, Brewers – $22,000,000 (9 years, $215,000,000)

6. Jung-Hoo Lee, Giants – $22,000,000 (6 years, $113,000,000)

8. Nick Castellanos, Phillies – $20,000,000 (5 years, $100,000,000)

8. Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres – $20,000,000 (14 years, $340,000,000)

Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a home run against the Orioles at Petco Park.David Frerker-Imagn Images

8. Luis Robert Jr., White Sox – $20,000,000 (1 year, $20,000,000)

11. Julio Rodriguez, Mariners – $18,000,000 (12 years, $209,300,000

11. Seiya Suzuki, Cubs – $18,000,000 (5 years, $85,000,000)

11. Ian Happ, Cubs – $18,000,000 (3 years, $61,000,000)

11. Masataka Yoshida, Red Sox – $18,000,000 (5 years, $90,000,000)

15. Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves – $17,000,000 (8 years, $100,000,000)

16. Andrew Benintendi, White Sox – $16,500,000 (5 years, $75,000,000)

16. Tyler O'Neill, Orioles – $16,500,000 (3 years, $49,500,000)

18. Brandon Nimmo, Rangers – $15,250,000 (8 years, $162,000,000)

19. Byron Buxton, Twins – $15,000,000 (7 years, $100,000,000)

19. Jurickson Profar, Braves – $15,000,000 (3 years, $42,000,000)

Top remaining free agent outfielders

These are the best remaining outfielders on the MLB free agent market this offseason (ranked by 2025 WAR):

  • Kyle Tucker (8.7 WAR)
  • Cody Bellinger (7.0)
  • Harrison Bader (4.4)
  • JJ Bleday (3.1)
  • Mike Tauchman (2.4)
  • Rob Refsnyder (2.3)

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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