Baseball has never been short on massive contracts, but some of the sport’s best have produced Hall-of-Fame numbers without Hall-of-Fame paydays. Whether they came up in a different era, were locked into team-friendly deals, or flew under the radar, these MLB stars gave way more than they got in return.
This list highlights absolute bargains players—guys who stuffed the stat sheet and carried clubs while the front office smiled at their payroll flexibility. From underappreciated icons to rookie-deal goldmines, here are the 30 most underpaid MLB stars ever.
30. Brian Roberts
During his prime with the Orioles, Roberts was a doubles machine and a clubhouse leader. He played like an All-Star but rarely got paid like one.
29. Jose Ramirez
The Guardians locked up Ramirez on a wildly team-friendly extension. He’s been elite for years while making less than many role players.
28. Bret Boone
Boone had a monster season in 2001 and multiple All-Star years after that. Yet his salary didn’t reflect the pop he brought to the lineup for most of his career.
27. Whit Merrifield
Merrifield led the league in hits and steals while on one of the most affordable contracts in baseball. He gave Kansas City high-level production for bargain-bin prices.
26. Matt Carpenter
Carpenter was a key cog in the Cardinals’ success. He brought versatility and power, and his contributions always outweighed his paycheck.
25. Tim Lincecum
Lincecum won back-to-back Cy Youngs early in his career while still under team control. The Giants got generational talent on a budget.
24. Hunter Pence
Pence consistently delivered at the plate and outfield but was never among the top earners. His energy and production were discounted.
23. Johnny Damon
Damon put up leadoff numbers, World Series wins, and strong defensive play, yet rarely made top dollar. His value exceeded his contract nearly every year.
22. Yadier Molina
Molina’s leadership, defense, and clutch hitting defined the Cardinals for nearly two decades. He was paid more like a reliable starter than a franchise cornerstone for much of that stretch.
21. Nelson Cruz
Cruz kept launching homers well into his late 30s while playing on a series of modest one- and two-year deals. The power was premium, but the price tag never was.
20. Michael Young
Young was the definition of consistency and professionalism in Texas. His steady production didn’t always match the market value of his peers.
19. Tim Hudson
Hudson was one of the best pitchers of his era, but was never among the highest paid. He just quietly won games and ate innings at a discount.
18. Jose Altuve (pre-extension)
Before his significant extension, Altuve was winning batting titles and MVPs on a contract that looked like a typo. The Astros got superstar numbers at role-player prices.
17. Kenny Lofton
Lofton was one of the best leadoff hitters and center fielders of the ‘90s, but he was constantly moving. Despite his impact, his earnings never matched his performance.
16. Paul Konerko
Konerko was the heart of the White Sox and a steady middle-of-the-order force. He played like a top slugger for years without ever being paid like one.
15. Felix Hernandez (early years)
King Felix was dominating hitters while still making rookie-scale money. Seattle got elite pitching with a budget price tag for several seasons.
14. Andrelton Simmons
Simmons might’ve been the best defensive shortstop of his generation. Despite his glove being worth gold, his contracts stayed modest.
13. David Eckstein
Eckstein wasn’t flashy, but a spark plug who played winning baseball. Teams always got more value from him than they paid for.
12. Chase Utley
Utley was one of the best second basemen in baseball for a solid stretch. His production was elite, but his contract was always team-friendly.
11. Jason Kendall
Kendall was a hit machine with excellent on-base skills and speed behind the plate. He gave teams rare consistency for a catcher, but rarely got the salary to match.
10. Barry Larkin
Larkin was a Hall-of-Fame shortstop who spent most of his career on below-market deals. The Reds struck gold, keeping him on the cheap for so long.
9. Ron Santo
Santo was a cornerstone of the Cubs and one of the best third basemen of his time. Unfortunately, he played in an era when salaries didn’t come close to matching performance.
8. Johan Santana (early years)
Santana was unhittable during his early days in Minnesota. The Twins got Cy Young dominance for pennies on the dollar.
7. Tony Gwynn
Gwynn could’ve commanded massive deals elsewhere but stayed loyal to San Diego for modest salaries. He was worth every penny and then some.
6. Dwight Evans
Evans was incredibly productive both offensively and defensively, yet was overshadowed during his era. He delivered all-star-level play on underwhelming contracts.
5. Wade Boggs (early Red Sox years)
Boggs racked up batting titles and on-base dominance early in his career without superstar pay. The Red Sox got a future Hall of Famer at a relative bargain.
4. Sandy Koufax
Koufax was the most dominant pitcher of the 1960s, and he did it while fighting the front office for fair pay. His peak was otherworldly, but his paychecks didn’t show it.
3. Willie Mays
Mays played during a time when even the best players weren’t paid anywhere close to their value. He was the face of the sport on a modest salary.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Best First Basemen in MLB History
2. Hank Aaron
Aaron broke records, won MVPs, and carried the Braves for decades. Despite all that, he spent much of his career underpaid by any reasonable standard.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Best Catchers in MLB History
1. Babe Ruth
Even with all his fame, Ruth’s salary would be laughable by modern standards. The greatest player of all time was underpaid even when he was the highest paid.
Read More: Home Run Kings: Ranking the 30 Best in MLB History
