Pitcher Max Scherzer of the New York Mets throws during the first inning in the game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, March 30, 2023. /CFP
The average annual salary of the Major League Baseball (MLB) players for 2023 is $4.9 million, up 11 percent from 2022, the biggest spike since 2001, according to The Associated Press.
The team owners and the players reached a new five-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in March. Shortstop Marcus Semien of the Texas Rangers was on the Major League Baseball Players Association's eight-member executive subcommittee that participated in the CBA negotiation.
"It's a step in the right direction," Semien was quoted as saying by AP.
The reaching of the new deal motivated teams to spend more during the offseason. Seven of them surpassed $200 million with their payrolls, led by the New York Mets which saw their total salaries grow by $70 to $355 million.
Pitcher Jacob deGrom of the Texas Rangers throws in the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, March 30, 2023. /CFP
By contrast, the total salaries of the Oakland Athletics are only $58 million for the 2023 season, not only bottoming the league, but also just around $15 million than the top pay of $43.3 million each of the Mets' two ace pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.
"It's been pretty much a joke the past five, 10 years about the way the players have been paid the minimum salaries," pitcher Zach Eflin of the Tampa Bay Rays said. He signed a three-year, $40 million contract in December 2022.
"Teams are making money, players are making it. So it's good all around," starting pitcher Jacob deGrom said. He signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Rangers during the off season.
By the 2023 major league regular season opening day on March 30, 546 of the 943 players make $1 million or more, 32 more than 514 of this category in 2022.
Shortstop Carlos Correa of the Minnesota Twins bats in the game against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot park in Miami, Florida, April 3, 2023. /CFP
"The stance that we took was great, getting players to be paid more is what we want. Obviously, we bring a lot to this game. But at the same time us as players have to keep putting up the work, making sure that after we get contracts, we keep performing to the highest level for teams to keep spending and keep going big," shortstop Carlos Correa said. He inked a six-year, $200 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.
"I saw the revenue numbers for the game last year. So when those continue to go up, then players' salaries should go up with that, as well," pitcher Gerrit Cole said. He signed a nine-year, $324 million deal with the New York Yankees.