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Which MLB Relievers Are Earning the Most in 2026?

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Mar 23, 2026 11:49 AM ET

Bullpen depth is seemingly becoming a more important aspect for any MLB team with every passing season. Naturally, the top relievers are earning some of the highest wages in the game. Edwin Diaz has held the record among relief pitchers for the past few years. He broke his own mark earlier this year after signing a three-year, $69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, Sean Manaea will become the highest-paid reliever in the MLB at the start of the 2026 campaign. The New York Mets announced on Saturday that the left-handed starting pitcher will have a piggyback role in their bullpen for now. Manaea signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Mets last year. So, his $25 million annual salary is now the largest among all relievers.

"We've got six very, very good starting pitchers. I'm still pitching in the big leagues, so I can't complain about anything."

– Sean Manaea on his role in the Mets' pitching staff pic.twitter.com/hEYZ1VP21T
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 21, 2026

Incidentally, Sean Manaea is also the top-earning pitcher on the Mets’ rotation this year. He and Edwin Diaz are the only two bullpen arms that will receive over $20 million in 2026.

Other Top-Earning Relief Pitchers In The MLB

Josh Hader, Tanner Scott, Devin Williams, and Raisel Iglesias are the other top-earning relief pitchers for the 2026 MLB season. Unsurprisingly, all of those deals were completed within the past three years.

Josh Hader (Image Credits: Getty Images)

The five-year, $95 million contract Josh Hader signed with the Houston Astros in 2024 is the longest for any relief pitcher in the MLB. He has an annual salary of $19 million.

Tanner Scott joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on a four-year, $72 million deal last season. This is the second-largest deal for an MLB reliever.

Devin Williams signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the New York Mets earlier in this offseason. He will earn $17 million in 2026.

Raisel Iglesias also became a free agent after the 2025 campaign. He signed a one-year, $15 million contract to remain with the Atlanta Braves.

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

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