Bryce Harper is perhaps the most recognizable face in baseball, and that's led to quite a bit of financial success for the 30-year-old.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals, Harper made six All-Star teams and won the 2015 National League MVP with his original team.
But while Harper made $35+ million in his final two years of arbitration-eligibility with the Nationals, it was ultimately the Philadelphia Phillies that he would secure his largest payday from. After a months-long courting process, Harper agreed to a 13-year/$330 million contract with the Phillies in March of 2019. Considering Harper insisted on no opt outs and a full no-trade clause, this will be the most lucrative deal that he ever signs.
Currently, Harper has made north of $140 million in his major league career, with nine seasons still remaining on his deal. As of now, Harper's net worth is estimated to be $100 million, though without even factoring major endorsement deals, the money that he's owed from the Phillies moving forward figures to push him onto a list like this at some point in the next few years.
In the meantime, here, courtesy of Celebrity Net Worth, are the 10 wealthiest current or former Major League Baseball stars of 2023:
8 (tie). Ryan Howard's Net Worth - $120 Million
Ryan Howard was one of the most dominant power hitters of his era.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Between 2005 and 2011, Howard had one of the most prolific power stretches in baseball history, homering 284 times and driving in 859 runs. The 2006 National League MVP made $54 million over his final three years of arbitration eligibility, and before the second season of that pact began, the Philadelphia Phillies tacked on an additional five years and $125 million that ran through the 2016 season. The second deal proved to be a major mistake, as Howard suffered a torn achilles on the final play of the 2011 season and was never the same after that. Still, Howard made over $190 million during his 13-year career, which allowed him to build generational wealth for his family.
8 (tie). Max Scherzer's Net Worth - $120 Million
Max Scherzer is one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history.
(Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
One of the greatest businessmen in modern sports history, Scherzer declined a six-year/$144 million extension offer from the Detroit Tigers before the 2014 season. The next winter, Scherzer landed a seven-year/$210 million from the Washington Nationals, which included $105 million in deferrals to be paid out between 2022 and 2028. As the three-time Cy Young Award winner now collects those deferrals, he's also in the midst of a three-year/$130 million deal with the New York Mets that he signed prior to the 2021 season.
8 (tie). Zack Greinke's Net Worth- $120 Million
Zack Greinke is one of the best pitchers of his era.
(Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Quietly one of the greatest pitchers of his era, Greinke is a six-time All-Star that won the 2009 American League Cy Young Award. Now 39, Greinke is in the twilight of his career, back with the Kansas City Royals for his second stint with the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2002 MLB Draft. Not only will the Royals pay Greinke $8.5 million in 2023, but he's also collecting $62.5 million in deferrals between 2022 and 2026 as part of the deal that he initially signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of the 2016 season.
6 (tie). Mike Trout's Net Worth - $145 Million
Mike Trout is one of the greatest players in MLB history.
(Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
For all the talk about how Major League Baseball hasn't done a good enough job marketing Trout, he's still made -- and will make -- an incredible amount of money during his illustrious playing career. The greatest player in the history of the Los Angeles Angels, Trout is currently in the midst of a 12-year/$426.5 million deal that will pay him handsomely through the 2030 season.
6 (tie). Miguel Cabrera's Net Worth - $145 Million
Miguel Cabrera is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history.
(Harry How/Getty Images)
A two-time American League MVP, Cabrera is one of the most complete hitters the sport has ever seen. He's also one of the highest earners, having signed two deals in excess of $150 million. The 12-time All-Star inked an eight-year/$152.3 million extension with the Detroit Tigers in March of 2008, and is now set to enter year the final guaranteed year of an eight-year/$248 million deal he signed in March of 2014. Cabrera's deal includes mutual options in 2024 and 2025, ones that the Tigers will certainly decline. That said, Cabrera will take home an $8 million buyout when the Tigers decline his $30 million club option for 2024.
5. Justin Verlander's Net Worth - $150 Million
Justin Verlander is one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history.
(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
If there was any doubt about Verlander's place among the greatest right-handed pitchers in MLB history, he cemented his status by winning his third American League Cy Young Award and second World Series title with the Houston Astros in 2022. Even though he's entering his age-40 season, the New York Mets were willing to give Verlander a two-year/$86.6 million deal this past offseason, which includes a vesting $35 million option for a third season. On top of all of this, the former American League MVP is married to supermodel Kate Upton, who is estimated to be worth $20 million herself.
4. Albert Pujols's Net Worth - $170 Million
Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history.
(Harry How/Getty Images)
One of the greatest right-handed hitters in MLB history, Pujols finished his legendary career with a magical 2022 season that saw him return to the St. Louis Cardinals and reach 700 career home runs. Pujols is estimated to have made more than $340 million in his career, with the largest chunk actually coming during parts of 10 seasons as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
3. Ichiro Suzuki's Net Worth - $180 Million
Ichiro Suzuki is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history.
(Ronald Martinez/ALLSPORT)
Suzuki didn't come to America until his age-27 season, but he hit the ground running, winning both the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP in 2001. In total, Ichiro accumulated 3,089 hits in parts of 19 major league seasons, which he parlayed into nearly $170 million in career earnings. Among other endorsements, Ichiro collected large sums of money from Majestic and Upper Deck.
2. Derek Jeter's Net Worth - $200 Million
Derek Jeter won five World Series titles with the Yankees.
(Nick Laham/Getty Images)
A five-time World Series Champion, Jeter is estimated to have made $262.2 million during his Hall of Fame career. Celebrity Net Worth says that Jeter "earned at least $150 million from endorsements" during his 20-year career with the New York Yankees as well. In September of 2017, Jeter bought a 4% stake in the Miami Marlins. In February of 2022, Jeter stepped down as CEO of the Marlins and sold his stake in the team, estimated to be worth nearly $45 million. Jeter will be an analyst for FOX during the 2023 season.
1. Alex Rodriguez's Net Worth - $350 Million
Alex Rodriguez won a World Series title with the Yankees in 2009.
(Al Bello/Getty Images)
For all the trials and tribulations during Rodriguez's career, money was never a problem. He signed a record 10-year/$252 million deal with the Texas Rangers ahead of the 2001 season. After year seven of that deal, he opted out and the New York Yankees ultimately re-signed him to another record deal, a 10-year/$275 million pact. In addition to making over $450 million during his playing career, Rodriguez currently works as a studio analyst for FOX and has his own Sunday Night Baseball simulcast on ESPN 2.
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