The 2024 MLB season is upon us, and so is the updated list of its highest-paid athletes. Unlike other American sports leagues, pro baseball doesn't have a salary cap that teams must stick to. Franchises can simply pay an infinite amount of money, for an unlimited amount of talent.

While these numbers reach astronomical proportions, a highly paid roster still somehow doesn't guarantee winning a World Series. But there usually is a common trend, based on an old adage: your momentum as a team only goes so far as tomorrow's starting pitcher.

Click to enlarge images

Starting pitching wins championships, combined with clutch hitting in key moments. Home field advantage, breaking records, total home runs, none of that comes close to having a dominate and superior rotation, and considering how much teams are willing to shell out for it, they clearly know this is the way to win at the highest level.

A report by Samford University sides with how much teams are paying for starters, as well as the expensive stars who can hit in the clutch. Outfielders like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto have either come close to winning, or have won, before, and are paid much more.

The past five World Series winners all have deep rosters, relief pitchers, great managers and defense. But the key parts, and a bulk of the money, went to the following guys:

Turns out, the biggest names on the team who contributed the most were the starting pitcher or the outfielder/designated hitter, which makes sense when you look at how teams are allocating their payroll. You definitely also have to get lucky with guys on their rookie deals like Juan Soto, Walker Buehler, Yordan Alvarez, Framber Valdez and Dane Dunning (or just keep paying for Aroldis Chapman and Will Smith).

Shohei Ohtani and his $700 million contract (over the next ten years from the LA Dodgers) singlehandedly tipped the scales and rocketed the average designated hitter salaries to the top of the player table. Normally he is a pitcher and a designated hitter, but a recent injury has forced him to just hit this season.

Via u/4rtistic-data.

[Image: YouTube]