Justin Verlander’s career ended the way many fans hoped it would: with a smile and a small hand to hold.
He made only two starts in 2026, but the last one meant the most. In the final game of his career, he pitched 5⅓ innings and struck out six batters. He left with a no-decision, but the result hardly mattered. When the manager came to take the ball, Verlander’s seven-year-old daughter, Genevieve, ran onto the field and walked him to the dugout.
Now that the cheers have faded, the numbers tell a big story too. Verlander retires as the highest-earning pitcher in baseball history. Here is how he got there, and whether any active pitcher can catch him.
Justin Verlander’s Career: A Hall of Fame Résumé
Verlander’s on-field record makes a strong case for Cooperstown. Over his career, he:
- Made 10 All-Star teams
- Won three Cy Young Awards
- Won two World Series titles
- Threw three no-hitters
He also belongs to a very small group. He is one of only two pitchers in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year, a Cy Young Award, and a league MVP award. Few players in any era can say that.
How Much Did Justin Verlander Earn?
Verlander finishes his career with $411,254,888 in total earnings. No pitcher has ever made more.
That total also makes him the second-highest-paid player in MLB history. Only Alex Rodriguez is ahead of him, at $485,159,552.
A Tigers Connection Among the Top Earners
Here is a fun fact for baseball fans. Three of the four biggest earners in league history all played for the Detroit Tigers between 2010 and 2014:
- Justin Verlander
- Miguel Cabrera
- Max Scherzer
Verlander and Cabrera stayed in Detroit much longer. Scherzer left for the Washington Nationals in January 2015. Still, it is rare for one team to have had that much money-making talent on the same roster.
Can Any Active Pitcher Pass Verlander?
Verlander holds the record today, but records are made to be broken. Let’s look at the pitchers who have the best shot.
Max Scherzer: The Closest Challenger
Scherzer, now with the Toronto Blue Jays, has earned about $365 million so far. He is also owed $30 million in deferred money from his Nationals deal:
- $15 million from Washington in 2027
- $15 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2028
Once those payments arrive, his total reaches $395,074,999.
Scherzer is 42 and made $5 million this past season. He has said he will wait to see how the offseason plays out before deciding what comes next. To pass Verlander, he would need to earn about $16.2 million more. That could take two or even three more seasons at his current pay level. It is possible, but not likely.
Gerrit Cole: A Long Shot
Cole has earned roughly $336.2 million and is under contract with the New York Yankees for two more seasons. He will turn 38 by the end of 2028.
To catch Verlander, he would need about $75 million more, which likely means two or three extra seasons after his current deal. That is a stretch for a pitcher in his late thirties.
Jacob deGrom: Deferred Money Won’t Be Enough
deGrom has made nearly $220.8 million. He has one year left on his Texas Rangers contract, which covers his age-39 season.
He does have some extra money coming. The Mets owe him $52.5 million in deferred payments between 2035 and 2038, meaning they will still be paying him at age 50. Even so, he is unlikely to close the gap.
Zack Wheeler: Too Far Behind
Wheeler is the only other pitcher above $200 million after the 2026 season. The Philadelphia Phillies will pay him $42 million in 2027, which lifts his career total to about $244.3 million.
He will be 37 when he reaches free agency next offseason. Passing Verlander would take a huge new contract, and that seems very unlikely at his age.
Who Will Eventually Break the Record?
Someone will pass Verlander. We just have to be patient.
Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani signed a $700 million contract with the Dodgers. But he collects only $2 million per season until 2033. The other $680 million is deferred and paid from 2034 to 2043. Once those payments start, he will climb the earnings list fast.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yamamoto has a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers that runs through 2035. He will be only 36 when it ends. If he signs another big contract after that, he could move into record territory.
Tarik Skubal
Skubal has earned a modest $46.8 million so far. But he has won multiple Cy Young Awards, and analysts expect him to land a long-term deal worth more than $400 million. That kind of contract could put him right in Verlander’s range.
The Highest-Earning MLB Players of All Time
Here are the top 10 career earners in MLB history through the end of the 2026 season:
| Rank | Player | Career Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Rodriguez | $485,159,552 |
| 2 | Justin Verlander | $411,254,888 |
| 3 | Miguel Cabrera | $393,188,685 |
| 4 | Max Scherzer | $365,074,999 |
| 5 | Albert Pujols | $341,810,741 |
| 6 | Zack Greinke | $340,974,948 |
| 7 | Mike Trout | $338,640,125 |
| 8 | Clayton Kershaw | $314,676,410 |
| 9 | Stephen Strasburg | $267,233,733 |
| 10 | Derek Jeter | $266,255,032 |
Notice that pitchers fill many of the spots on this list. Verlander, Scherzer, Greinke, Kershaw, and Strasburg all made their money on the mound.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Justin Verlander make in his career?
He earned $411,254,888, the most of any pitcher in MLB history.
Who is the highest-paid MLB player of all time?
Alex Rodriguez, with $485,159,552 in career earnings.
Will anyone break Verlander’s earnings record soon?
Probably not. Scherzer is the closest active pitcher, but he needs about $16.2 million more after his deferred money arrives. The players most likely to pass Verlander in the long run are Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Skubal.
Final Thoughts
Verlander leaves baseball with three Cy Young Awards, two championships, three no-hitters, and a record-setting bank account. But the moment fans will remember is a little girl running out to walk her dad off the field.
His earnings record will stand for a while. When it finally falls, it will most likely be to one of the Dodgers’ stars or to a new ace like Skubal. Until then, Verlander sits at the top of the pitching world, both on the field and on the money list.
