The New York Mets' payroll exceeds $350 million, ranking first in MLB, while Juan Soto's annual salary surpasses $60 million, making him the highest-paid player again.

MLB player average salaries for the 2026 season continue to climb. AP data shows this season's average annual salary hit $5.34 million, up 3.4% from $5.16 million last year. The New York Mets top the league with a payroll of $352 million, and their standout outfielder Juan Soto is the league's highest-earning player this year.

Team payroll discussions have often focused on the Los Angeles Dodgers' massive investments recently. However, in 2026, the Mets actually dominate in total payroll. Their team payroll stands at $352 million, higher than last year's $322.6 million, though still below the 2023 record of $355 million, it remains the highest in MLB. The Dodgers rank second at $316.6 million. However, the Dodgers have significant deferred payments this season; if included, their actual spending would reach $395.2 million. The New York Yankees ($297.2 million), Philadelphia Phillies ($282 million), and Toronto Blue Jays ($269 million) occupy third to fifth places.

Regarding individual salaries, Mets slugger Juan Soto leads with an average annual salary of $61.9 million for the second consecutive year. Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger follows at $42.5 million. Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler and Mets infielder Bo Bichette both earn $42 million, while Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. makes $40.2 million, placing him in the top five. Yankees captain Aaron Judge ranks sixth with $40 million.

It's worth noting that Kyle Tucker signed a 4-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers, averaging $60 million per year, but like Shohei Ohtani's deal, it involves deferred payments. Thus, his 2026 base salary is only $1 million, with substantial signing bonuses and salaries paid later, creating an extreme distribution.

In terms of team payroll increases, the Detroit Tigers saw the largest jump, from $64.2 million last year to $206.7 million, mainly due to two-time Cy Young Award-winning ace left-hander Tarik Skubal securing a $32 million annual salary through arbitration. The Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs also significantly raised spending. Conversely, the Minnesota Twins reduced payroll most sharply, dropping from $96.5 million to $46.3 million. The St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Guardians, Texas Rangers, and Washington Nationals also showed downward trends.

Additionally, this season's league salary median is $1.4 million, up $50,000 from last year. Only 31 players receive the minimum salary of $780,000, while 519 players earn over $1 million (including Tucker and Shohei Ohtani), 168 exceed $10 million, 74 reach $20 million, and 19 surpass the $30 million threshold.