Yearly League Leaders & Records for Salary

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Table
Year National League Salary   American League Salary      
2024 (NL AL)Patrick Corbin (WSN)35,416,667 Max Scherzer (TEX)43,333,334   
2023 (NL AL)Nolan Arenado (STL) • Stephen Strasburg (WSN)35,000,000 Max Scherzer (TEX) • Justin Verlander (HOU)43,333,333   
2022 (NL AL)Max Scherzer (NYM)43,333,333 Mike Trout (LAA)37,116,666   
2021 (NL AL)Jacob deGrom (NYM)35,500,000 Mike Trout (LAA)37,116,667   
2020 (NL AL)Max Scherzer (WSN)35,920,616 Mike Trout (LAA)37,666,666   
2019 (NL AL)Stephen Strasburg (WSN)38,333,333 David Price (BOS)31,000,000   
2018 (NL AL)Clayton Kershaw (LAD)35,571,429 Mike Trout (LAA)34,083,000   
2017 (NL AL)Clayton Kershaw (LAD)35,571,429 David Price (BOS)30,000,000   
2016 (NL AL)Clayton Kershaw (LAD)34,571,429 David Price (BOS)30,000,000   
2015 (NL AL)Clayton Kershaw (LAD)32,571,429 Justin Verlander (DET)28,000,000   
2014 (NL AL)Zack Greinke (LAD)26,000,000 Robinson Canó (SEA) • Prince Fielder (TEX)24,000,000   
2013 (NL AL)Johan Santana (NYM)25,500,000 Alex Rodriguez (NYY)28,000,000   
2012 (NL AL)Johan Santana (NYM)24,000,000 Alex Rodriguez (NYY)29,000,000   
2011 (NL AL)Johan Santana (NYM)21,644,707 Alex Rodriguez (NYY)32,000,000   
2010 (NL AL)Johan Santana (NYM)20,144,707 Alex Rodriguez (NYY)33,000,000   
2009 (NL AL)Manny Ramirez (LAD)23,854,494 Alex Rodriguez (NYY)33,000,000   
2008 (NL AL)Carlos Beltrán (NYM)18,622,809 Alex Rodriguez (NYY)28,000,000   
2007 (NL AL)Todd Helton+ (COL)16,600,000 Jason Giambi (NYY)23,428,571   
2006 (NL AL)Jeff Bagwell+ (HOU)19,369,019 Alex Rodriguez (NYY)21,680,727   
2005 (NL AL)Barry Bonds (SFG)22,000,000 Alex Rodriguez (NYY)26,000,000   
2004 (NL AL)Barry Bonds (SFG)18,000,000 Manny Ramirez (BOS)22,500,000   
2003 (NL AL)Mo Vaughn (NYM)17,166,667 Alex Rodriguez (TEX)22,000,000   
2002 (NL AL)Kevin Brown (LAD)15,714,286 Alex Rodriguez (TEX)22,000,000   
2001 (NL AL)Kevin Brown (LAD)15,714,286 Alex Rodriguez (TEX)22,000,000   
2000 (NL AL)Kevin Brown (LAD)15,714,286 Albert Belle (BAL)12,868,670   
1999 (NL AL)Kevin Brown (LAD)10,714,286 Albert Belle (BAL)11,949,794   
1998 (NL AL)Gary Sheffield (FLA)14,936,667 Albert Belle (CHW)10,000,000   
1997 (NL AL)Barry Bonds (SFG)8,666,667 Albert Belle (CHW)10,000,000   
1996 (NL AL)Barry Bonds (SFG)8,416,667 Cecil Fielder (DET)9,237,500   
1995 (NL AL)Barry Bonds (SFG)8,166,666 Cecil Fielder (DET)9,237,500   
1994 (NL AL)Bobby Bonilla (NYM)6,300,000 Joe Carter (TOR)5,550,000   
1993 (NL AL)Bobby Bonilla (NYM)6,200,000 Joe Carter (TOR)5,550,000   
1992 (NL AL)Bobby Bonilla (NYM)6,100,000 Danny Tartabull (NYY)5,300,000   
1991 (NL AL)Darryl Strawberry (LAD)3,800,000 Joe Carter (TOR)3,791,667   
1990 (NL AL)Eddie Murray+ (LAD)2,513,703 Robin Yount+ (MIL)3,200,000   
1989 (NL AL)Orel Hershiser (LAD)2,766,667 Frank Viola (MIN)2,766,666   
1988 (NL AL)Ozzie Smith+ (STL)2,340,000 George Brett+ (KCR)2,305,000   
1987 (NL AL)Mike Schmidt+ (PHI)2,127,333 Jim Rice+ (BOS)2,110,000   
1986 (NL AL)George Foster (NYM)2,800,000 Jim Rice+ (BOS)1,984,423   
1985 (NL AL)Mike Schmidt+ (PHI)2,130,300 Dave Winfield+ (NYY)1,795,704