Ranking MLB’s Highest-Paid First Basemen After Pete Alonso's Deal With Orioles

Pete Alonso reportedly inked a massive five-year deal with the Orioles on Wednesday.
Pete Alonso reportedly inked a massive five-year deal with the Orioles on Wednesday. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
In this story:

Pete Alonso had the MLB world stunned after he reportedly agreed to join the Baltimore Orioles on a monster five-year contract on Wednesday, leaving the only home he's ever known in New York.

Following seven productive years in Queens, Alonso will get a fresh start in the AL East in news that has both Mets fans and Red Sox fans alike feeling disappointed. The soon-to-be 32-year-old opted out of his contract after re-signing with the Mets last year; he recorded 38 homers in 2025 and has 264 home runs and 712 RBIs since his pro debut in 2019.

Alonso's massive deal is the most lucrative ever for his position, but just how much does he stand above his peers?

Here's a look at the highest-paid first basemen in the league as ranked by average annual salary according to Spotrac:

Who is the highest-paid first baseman in MLB?

The highest-paid first baseman in the MLB is Pete Alonso.

The former longtime Mets first baseman is reportedly joining the Orioles on a five-year deal worth $155 million ($31 million a year). Alonso leap-frogged Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the top spot following news of his signing.

Alonso's deal also marks the second-largest in Orioles history. The organization's last splurge signing was Chris Davis in 2016 (seven-year, $161 million contract).

Top 10 highest-paid first basemen in MLB in 2025

Player

Team

Annual Salary

Pete Alonso

Baltimore Orioles

$31 million

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Toronto Blue Jays

$28.5 million

Freddie Freeman

Los Angeles Dodgers

$27 million

Bryce Harper

Philadelphia Phillies

$25.4 million

Matt Olson

Atlanta Braves

$21 million

Christian Walker

Houston Astros

$20 million

Wilson Contreras

St. Louis Cardinals

$17.5 million

Rhys Hoskins

Milwaukee Brewers

$17 million

Luis Arraez

San Diego Padres

$14 million

Paul Goldschmidt

New York Yankees

$12.5 million


More MLB on Sports Illustrated

FREE NEWSLETTER. SI BTN Newsletter. Start off your day with SI:CYMI. dark

feed


Published
Kristen Wong
KRISTEN WONG

Kristen Wong is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. She has been a sports journalist since 2020. Before joining SI in November 2023, Wong covered four NFL teams as an associate editor with the FanSided NFL Network and worked as a staff writer for the brand’s flagship site. Outside of work, she has dreams of running her own sporty dive bar.