Highest-paid Atlanta Braves through the years

Atlanta Braves

Highest-paid Braves through the years

Baseball player salaries for Atlanta Braves team members: Chipper Jones, Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp are among the highest-paid players.

Outfielder Dale Murphy was the Braves' top-salaried player in 1990 at $2 million.

Braves left fielder Lonnie Smith earned $2,041,667 in 1991.

In his final season in Atlanta, pitcher Charlie Leibrandt made $3,183,333 in 1992 at the age of 35.

Braves signed pitcher Greg Maddux to a 5-year, $28 million contract in the offseason, making him the best-paid Brave in 1993 costing $5.8 million.

Greg Maddux's 5-year deal would make him the best-paid Brave for several years. In 1994, Maddux made $4.9 million. Tom Glavine, on the third year of a new deal, was second on the list at $4.75 million.

Greg Maddux remained the best-paid Brave in 1995 at $6.5 million. Outfielder David Justice followed on the salary roster at $5.2 million.

Pitcher Greg Maddux was one of three Braves players making more than $6 million in 1996: Maddux ($6.67 million); David Justice ($6.2 million); and John Smoltz ($6 million).

In 1997, the Braves' starting rotation featured Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Denny Neagle and John Smoltz. Smoltz topped the salary roster in 1997 at $7 million.

First baseman Andres Galarraga ($8.4 million) trailed only Greg Maddux ($9.6 million) on the Braves' roster in pay.

In 1999, pitcher Greg Maddux was the first Brave to top $10 million in annual salary. At $10.6 million, Maddux's salary was significantly higher than others in the rotation, including John Smoltz at $7.75 million.

While Greg Maddux's salary scaled to $11.1 million in 2000, others inched closer toward a 7-figure salary. Tom Glavine made $9.4 million that season.

Near the end of the 2000 season, third baseman Chipper Jones agreed to a six-year deal worth $90 million. Under the first year of that contract, Jones made $10.3 million. The top man on the Braves' salary roster remained Greg Maddux at $12.5 million.

In 2002, Maddux made $13.1-million in the final season of a $57.5-million, five-year contract.

In 2003, Greg Maddux signed what at the time was the largest one-year contract in baseball history, a $14.75-million-dollar deal with the Braves. He had originally sought $16 million in arbitration. His salary topped the roster which also included Chipper Jones ($13.3 million) and Mike Hampton ($12 million).

Chipper Jones became the first position player to top the Braves' salary roster in 2004, making $15.3 million. A pitcher, Mike Hampton, wasn't far behind at $12.975 million.

Chipper Jones' six-year deal would pay the slugger $16 million in 2005.

Chipper Jones' $13.6 annual pay made him the best-paid Brave in 2006.

Center fielder Andruw Jones was in the final year of a $75 million deal in 2007 and would make $14 million, making him the best-paid Brave that season.

Tim Hudson got a huge pay raise in 2009, making $15.5 million with the Braves.

Tim Hudson once again topped the Braves' salary roster, making $15.5 million. He was followed on the list by fellow pitchers Derek Lowe ($15 million) and Javier Vazquez ($11.5 million).

The three best-paid players on the Braves' roster in 2010 were Derek Lowe ($15 million), Chipper Jones ($14 million) and Derrek Lee ($13.25 million).

Pitcher Derek Lowe was on the third year of a four-year contract worth $60 million in 2011 keeping him atop the Braves' salary scale at $15 million a year.

In his final year in the majors, Chipper Jones was the best-paid player on the Braves' roster at $13 million.

Second baseman Dan Uggla replaced Chipper Jones as the best-paid Brave in 2013, making $13.1 million a year. He was followed on the Braves' salary roster by outfielder B.J. Upton ($13.05 million) and catcher Brian McCann ($12 million).

First baseman Freddie Freeman, who broke into the major leagues in 2010, reached a reported 8-year deal for $125 million - about $15.5 million a year. Freeman hit .319 with 23 home runs, 109 RBIs and 89 runs scored in 147 games in 2013, making the NL All-Star team for the first time.

In the summer of 2014, brothers B.J. Upton ($14.05 million) and Justin Upton ($14.45 million) were two of three players making more than $14 million on a $112 million roster. The third was pitcher Ervin Santana.

Marietta-native Nick Markakis joined the Braves in the 2015 season, making $11 million. He was the highest paid active player on the roster. Dan Uggla, who has long been released by the Braves, was still pulling nearly $13 million in salary from Atlanta.

The Braves hope to improve their defense, and one area where they could do it quickly would be to replace injury-slowed left fielder Matt Kemp. (Photo: Curtis Compton/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Bartolo Colon, who had the majors’ worst ERA before going on the 10-day disabled list, is scheduled to return to the Braves’ starting rotation next week. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

April 18, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Braves pitcher Brandon McCarthy delivers a pitch against the Phillies during the first inning in a MLB baseball game on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson hits a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game 5 of the NLDS at SunTrust Park on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Braves slugger Freddie Freeman, on year seven of an eight-year deal, earns $22 million to lead Braves salaried players. Relievers Mark Melancon ($14 million) and Will Smith ($13 million) are the next top earners on the team.

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Outfielder Dale Murphy was the Braves' top-salaried player in 1990 at $2 million.

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