Aaron Judge tops the list of baseball's best bargains
Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees runs the bases after hitting a homerun against the Baltimore Orioles at Steinbrenner Field on March 12, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. Credit: Getty Images/Mark Brown
David Lennon ranks baseball’s best players - excluding prospects with little or no MLB experience - making under $1 million.
Pre-arbitration players typically receive nominal raises annually before collecting three years of service time. The 2019 minimum salary for a player not sent to the minors is $555,000.
1. Aaron Judge, Yankees RF, $684,000, 2xAll-Star, .963 OPS
2. Matt Chapman, A’s 3B, $575,000, 7th in MVP vote, Gold Glove
3. Shohei Ohtani, Angels P/OF, $650,000, ROY, 3.31 ERA, 11.0 K/9, .925 OPS
4. Ronald Acuna, Braves LF $575,000, ROY, 26 HRs, .917 OPS
5. Juan Soto, Nationals LF, $575,000, 2nd in ROY, .292 BA, .923 OPS
6. Gleyber Torres, Yankees 2B, $605,200, 3rd in ROY, 24 HRs, .820 OPS
New York Yankees Gleyber Torres knocks a home run in 1st inning of their Spring Training game against the Boston Red Sox at Jet Blue Park at Fenway South in Fort Meyers Fla. Feb. 23, 2019. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
7. Cody Bellinger, Dodgers 1B/OF, $605,000, 25 HRs, .814 OPS, 162 G
8. Miguel Andujar, Yankees 3B, $617,000, 2nd in ROY, .297 BA, 27 HRs
Yankees' Miguel Andujar makes a play against the Boston Red Sox at Jet Blue Park at Fenway South in Fort Meyers Fla. on Feb. 23, 2019. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
9. Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox LF, $717,500, 16 HR, 21 SB, .290 BA
10. Gary Sanchez, Yankees C, $669,800, limited to 89G in ’18 by injury
New York Yankees Gary Sanchez during Spring Training Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. Feb. 21, 2019. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
11. Ozzie Albies, Braves 2B, $575,000, All-Star, 24 HR, 14 SB, 105 R
12. Walker Buehler, Dodgers RHP, $575,000 3rd in ROY, 2.62 ERA, 0.961 WHIP
13. Willson Contreras, Cubs C, $575,000, All-Star, .799 career OPS
14. Brandon Nimmo, Mets OF, $589,285, 17 HR, .917 OPS in 2nd half
Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets connects on a first inning double against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on Thursday, Sep. 27, 2018 in the Queens borough of New York City. Credit: Jim McIsaac
15. Joey Gallo, Rangers OF/1B, $605,500, 81 HR, 172 RBIs over 2 seasons
16. Jack Flaherty, Cardinals RHP, $562,100, 3.34 ERA, 10.8 K/9, 1.106 WHIP
17. Kyle Freeland, Rockies LHP, $575,000, 4th in CYA, 17-7, 2.85 ERA
18. Edwin Diaz, Mets RHP, $607,425, All-Star, 1.96 ERA, 57 SV, 15.2 K/9
Closer Edwin Diaz during spring training photo day. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
19. Josh Hader, Brewers LHP, $687,600, All-Star, 0.811 WHIP, 15.8 K/9
20. Joey Wendle, Rays INF/OF, $570,400, played 5 positions, 4th in ROY vote
FLASHBACK: The 2018 LIST
1. Aaron Judge, Yankees
2. Francisco Lindor, Indians
3. Corey Seager, Dodgers
4. Gary Sanchez, Yankees
5. Chris Taylor, Dodgers
6. Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
7. Luis Severino, Yankees
8. Alex Bregman, Astros
9. Byron Buxton, Twins
10. Trea Turner, Nationals
11. Joey Gallo, Rangers
12. Willson Contreras
14. Greg Bird, Yankees
15. Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
