INDEPENDENT MLB ANALYTICSINDEPENDENT ANALYTICS
ETLATYOBERLON

MLB Pitcher Contract Value 2026

Highest-paid pitchers in 2026 compared with WAR, ERA, dollars per WAR and a 1–10 Value Index. Rankings stay on the pitcher board; this page is the contract view.

50 IP · listed AAV · WAR > 0Updated Oct 22, 10:50 AM ET
Highest AAV
Shohei Ohtani
$46.1M
Best value
Paul Skenes
10.0 VI
Highest WAR
Jacob Misiorowski
6.6
WAR / $1M
Jacob Misiorowski
8.37
BoardPitcher contractsHitter contracts
View
47 of 275 qualified · $10m+
Sort
#PitcherTeamAAVWARERAIPWAR/$1MVI
1Shohei OhtaniShohei OhtaniLADLAD$46.1M2.91.7985.20.063.9
1Shohei OhtaniShohei Ohtani
LAD|$46.1M AAV
WAR
2.9
ERA
1.79
IP
85.2
WAR/$1M
0.06
VI
3.9
2Zack WheelerZack WheelerPHIPHI$42.0M4.03.00162.00.104.0
2Zack WheelerZack Wheeler
PHI|$42.0M AAV
WAR
4.0
ERA
3.00
IP
162.0
WAR/$1M
0.10
VI
4.0
3Jacob deGromJacob deGromTEXTEX$37.0M4.24.20162.20.114.0
3Jacob deGromJacob deGrom
TEX|$37.0M AAV
WAR
4.2
ERA
4.20
IP
162.2
WAR/$1M
0.11
VI
4.0
4Framber ValdezFramber ValdezDETDET$36.6M1.84.03174.00.053.9
4Framber ValdezFramber Valdez
DET|$36.6M AAV
WAR
1.8
ERA
4.03
IP
174.0
WAR/$1M
0.05
VI
3.9
5Gerrit ColeGerrit ColeNYYNYY$36.0M2.13.61127.00.063.9
5Gerrit ColeGerrit Cole
NYY|$36.0M AAV
WAR
2.1
ERA
3.61
IP
127.0
WAR/$1M
0.06
VI
3.9
6Tyler GlasnowTyler GlasnowLADLAD$27.3M2.43.5374.00.094.0
6Tyler GlasnowTyler Glasnow
LAD|$27.3M AAV
WAR
2.4
ERA
3.53
IP
74.0
WAR/$1M
0.09
VI
4.0
7Max FriedMax FriedNYYNYY$27.3M3.52.80112.20.134.1
7Max FriedMax Fried
NYY|$27.3M AAV
WAR
3.5
ERA
2.80
IP
112.2
WAR/$1M
0.13
VI
4.1
8Yoshinobu YamamotoYoshinobu YamamotoLADLAD$27.1M4.72.53185.00.174.2
8Yoshinobu YamamotoYoshinobu Yamamoto
LAD|$27.1M AAV
WAR
4.7
ERA
2.53
IP
185.0
WAR/$1M
0.17
VI
4.2
9Dylan CeaseDylan CeaseTORTOR$27.0M5.52.40169.00.204.2
9Dylan CeaseDylan Cease
TOR|$27.0M AAV
WAR
5.5
ERA
2.40
IP
169.0
WAR/$1M
0.20
VI
4.2
10Carlos RodónCarlos RodónNYYNYY$27.0M1.82.6784.10.073.9
10Carlos RodónCarlos Rodón
NYY|$27.0M AAV
WAR
1.8
ERA
2.67
IP
84.1
WAR/$1M
0.07
VI
3.9
11Ranger SuarezRanger SuarezBOSBOS$26.0M3.83.22148.10.154.1
11Ranger SuarezRanger Suarez
BOS|$26.0M AAV
WAR
3.8
ERA
3.22
IP
148.1
WAR/$1M
0.15
VI
4.1
12Michael KingMichael KingSDSD$25.0M2.73.21185.00.114.0
12Michael KingMichael King
SD|$25.0M AAV
WAR
2.7
ERA
3.21
IP
185.0
WAR/$1M
0.11
VI
4.0
13Nathan EovaldiNathan EovaldiTEXTEX$25.0M1.64.20145.20.063.9
13Nathan EovaldiNathan Eovaldi
TEX|$25.0M AAV
WAR
1.6
ERA
4.20
IP
145.2
WAR/$1M
0.06
VI
3.9
14Aaron NolaAaron NolaPHIPHI$24.6M1.34.67175.10.053.9
14Aaron NolaAaron Nola
PHI|$24.6M AAV
WAR
1.3
ERA
4.67
IP
175.1
WAR/$1M
0.05
VI
3.9
15Seth LugoSeth LugoKCKC$23.0M1.75.17172.10.073.9
15Seth LugoSeth Lugo
KC|$23.0M AAV
WAR
1.7
ERA
5.17
IP
172.1
WAR/$1M
0.07
VI
3.9
16Tarik SkubalTarik SkubalLADLAD$22.4M5.22.72158.20.234.3
16Tarik SkubalTarik Skubal
LAD|$22.4M AAV
WAR
5.2
ERA
2.72
IP
158.2
WAR/$1M
0.23
VI
4.3
17Shota ImanagaShota ImanagaCHCCHC$22.0M1.83.77174.10.084.0
17Shota ImanagaShota Imanaga
CHC|$22.0M AAV
WAR
1.8
ERA
3.77
IP
174.1
WAR/$1M
0.08
VI
4.0
18Robbie RayRobbie RaySDSD$21.8M0.93.59165.20.043.9
18Robbie RayRobbie Ray
SD|$21.8M AAV
WAR
0.9
ERA
3.59
IP
165.2
WAR/$1M
0.04
VI
3.9
19Yusei KikuchiYusei KikuchiLAALAA$21.2M1.14.9267.20.053.9
19Yusei KikuchiYusei Kikuchi
LAA|$21.2M AAV
WAR
1.1
ERA
4.92
IP
67.2
WAR/$1M
0.05
VI
3.9
20Sonny GraySonny GrayBOSBOS$21.0M3.42.72169.00.164.1
20Sonny GraySonny Gray
BOS|$21.0M AAV
WAR
3.4
ERA
2.72
IP
169.0
WAR/$1M
0.16
VI
4.1
21Eduardo RodriguezEduardo RodriguezAZAZ$20.0M3.12.89189.20.154.1
21Eduardo RodriguezEduardo Rodriguez
AZ|$20.0M AAV
WAR
3.1
ERA
2.89
IP
189.2
WAR/$1M
0.15
VI
4.1
22Chris BassittChris BassittBALBAL$18.5M1.04.41102.00.053.9
22Chris BassittChris Bassitt
BAL|$18.5M AAV
WAR
1.0
ERA
4.41
IP
102.0
WAR/$1M
0.05
VI
3.9
23Logan WebbLogan WebbSFSF$18.0M3.04.31160.20.174.1
23Logan WebbLogan Webb
SF|$18.0M AAV
WAR
3.0
ERA
4.31
IP
160.2
WAR/$1M
0.17
VI
4.1
24Tatsuya ImaiTatsuya ImaiHOUHOU$18.0M0.54.9376.20.033.8
24Tatsuya ImaiTatsuya Imai
HOU|$18.0M AAV
WAR
0.5
ERA
4.93
IP
76.2
WAR/$1M
0.03
VI
3.8
25Chris SaleChris SaleATLATL$18.0M5.82.16162.20.324.5
25Chris SaleChris Sale
ATL|$18.0M AAV
WAR
5.8
ERA
2.16
IP
162.2
WAR/$1M
0.32
VI
4.5
26Jack FlahertyJack FlahertyDETDET$17.5M1.34.4888.10.073.9
26Jack FlahertyJack Flaherty
DET|$17.5M AAV
WAR
1.3
ERA
4.48
IP
88.1
WAR/$1M
0.07
VI
3.9
27Luis CastilloLuis CastilloCWSCWS$17.3M0.35.85130.20.023.8
27Luis CastilloLuis Castillo
CWS|$17.3M AAV
WAR
0.3
ERA
5.85
IP
130.2
WAR/$1M
0.02
VI
3.8
28Michael WachaMichael WachaKCKC$17.0M2.43.32200.20.144.1
28Michael WachaMichael Wacha
KC|$17.0M AAV
WAR
2.4
ERA
3.32
IP
200.2
WAR/$1M
0.14
VI
4.1
29Tanner ScottTanner ScottLADLAD$16.1M2.42.6963.20.154.1
29Tanner ScottTanner Scott
LAD|$16.1M AAV
WAR
2.4
ERA
2.69
IP
63.2
WAR/$1M
0.15
VI
4.1
30Raisel IglesiasRaisel IglesiasATLATL$16.0M1.12.5560.00.073.9
30Raisel IglesiasRaisel Iglesias
ATL|$16.0M AAV
WAR
1.1
ERA
2.55
IP
60.0
WAR/$1M
0.07
VI
3.9
31Kevin GausmanKevin GausmanCHCCHC$15.4M3.14.51177.20.204.2
31Kevin GausmanKevin Gausman
CHC|$15.4M AAV
WAR
3.1
ERA
4.51
IP
177.2
WAR/$1M
0.20
VI
4.2
32Mitch KellerMitch KellerPITPIT$15.4M1.05.29115.20.063.9
32Mitch KellerMitch Keller
PIT|$15.4M AAV
WAR
1.0
ERA
5.29
IP
115.2
WAR/$1M
0.06
VI
3.9
33Matthew BoydMatthew BoydCHCCHC$14.5M1.63.91126.20.114.0
33Matthew BoydMatthew Boyd
CHC|$14.5M AAV
WAR
1.6
ERA
3.91
IP
126.2
WAR/$1M
0.11
VI
4.0
34Shane BazShane BazBALBAL$13.6M3.44.11179.20.254.3
34Shane BazShane Baz
BAL|$13.6M AAV
WAR
3.4
ERA
4.11
IP
179.2
WAR/$1M
0.25
VI
4.3
35Aroldis ChapmanAroldis ChapmanBOSBOS$13.3M1.51.9251.20.114.0
35Aroldis ChapmanAroldis Chapman
BOS|$13.3M AAV
WAR
1.5
ERA
1.92
IP
51.2
WAR/$1M
0.11
VI
4.0
36Shane BieberShane BieberTORTOR$13.3M0.14.3755.20.013.8
36Shane BieberShane Bieber
TOR|$13.3M AAV
WAR
0.1
ERA
4.37
IP
55.2
WAR/$1M
0.01
VI
3.8
37Nick MartinezNick MartinezTBTB$13.0M2.93.10180.00.224.3
37Nick MartinezNick Martinez
TB|$13.0M AAV
WAR
2.9
ERA
3.10
IP
180.0
WAR/$1M
0.22
VI
4.3
38Kyle FreelandKyle FreelandCOLCOL$12.9M1.06.65135.10.083.9
38Kyle FreelandKyle Freeland
COL|$12.9M AAV
WAR
1.0
ERA
6.65
IP
135.1
WAR/$1M
0.08
VI
3.9
39Cristian JavierCristian JavierHOUHOU$12.8M0.25.1463.00.023.8
39Cristian JavierCristian Javier
HOU|$12.8M AAV
WAR
0.2
ERA
5.14
IP
63.0
WAR/$1M
0.02
VI
3.8
40Brady SingerBrady SingerCINCIN$12.8M0.25.85157.00.023.8
40Brady SingerBrady Singer
CIN|$12.8M AAV
WAR
0.2
ERA
5.85
IP
157.0
WAR/$1M
0.02
VI
3.8
41Tyler RogersTyler RogersTORTOR$12.3M1.21.7771.00.104.0
41Tyler RogersTyler Rogers
TOR|$12.3M AAV
WAR
1.2
ERA
1.77
IP
71.0
WAR/$1M
0.10
VI
4.0
42Sandy AlcantaraSandy AlcantaraMIAMIA$11.2M3.03.87214.00.274.4
42Sandy AlcantaraSandy Alcantara
MIA|$11.2M AAV
WAR
3.0
ERA
3.87
IP
214.0
WAR/$1M
0.27
VI
4.4
43Jesús LuzardoJesús LuzardoPHIPHI$11.0M5.52.86179.20.504.9
43Jesús LuzardoJesús Luzardo
PHI|$11.0M AAV
WAR
5.5
ERA
2.86
IP
179.2
WAR/$1M
0.50
VI
4.9
44Adrian HouserAdrian HouserTBTB$11.0M0.44.02109.20.043.8
44Adrian HouserAdrian Houser
TB|$11.0M AAV
WAR
0.4
ERA
4.02
IP
109.2
WAR/$1M
0.04
VI
3.8
45Logan GilbertLogan GilbertSEASEA$10.9M2.63.73186.00.244.3
45Logan GilbertLogan Gilbert
SEA|$10.9M AAV
WAR
2.6
ERA
3.73
IP
186.0
WAR/$1M
0.24
VI
4.3
46Luke WeaverLuke WeaverPITPIT$10.6M1.32.6960.10.124.0
46Luke WeaverLuke Weaver
PIT|$10.6M AAV
WAR
1.3
ERA
2.69
IP
60.1
WAR/$1M
0.12
VI
4.0
47Reynaldo LópezReynaldo LópezATLATL$10.0M0.64.5479.10.063.9
47Reynaldo LópezReynaldo López
ATL|$10.0M AAV
WAR
0.6
ERA
4.54
IP
79.1
WAR/$1M
0.06
VI
3.9

Where the league stands

Who is on this board
275 qualified pitchers with a listed AAV and positive WAR. The $10M+ view is 47 players.
Value Index
1–10 vs the qualified cohort. 5 is a typical deal for this group; 7+ is strong value; below 5 is expensive relative to WAR.
League median
Median WAR per $1M AAV among qualified pitchers is 0.53.
Sample
Pitchers need 50 innings. Rate stats and WAR are noisy below that.

Frequently asked

What is contract value?+
This board compares listed average annual value (AAV) to on-field output: WAR, ERA, WAR per $1M and a 1–10 Value Index. It is not a projection of next year's deal.
How is Value Index calculated?+
WAR per $1M AAV is scored against the qualified cohort on this board. 5 is near the median deal. Exact scaling is proprietary; the number is comparable across players on the same board.
Who qualifies?+
Pitchers need a listed AAV, positive WAR and at least 50 innings. Players below the sample stay off the qualified views.
Who has the highest AAV among qualified pitchers?+
Shohei Ohtani at $46.1M.
Related boards
Pitcher rankings Hitter contracts Team rankings and standings