Josh Hader, a five-time All-Star and three-time Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award winner, came up just short of breaking the record for the largest contract for a relief pitcher. Instead, he will settle for being the highest-paid reliever in 2025. Hader and theHouston Astrosagreed to a $95 million deal over the winter.Edwin Diaz's $102 million deal with the New York Metsstill stands as the biggest contract ever given to a reliever. Hader's deal will pay him $19 million this season. Diaz will earn $18.3 million in present-day value because of deferred payments. Hader's deal with Houston also includes a full no-trade clause with no money deferred and a $1 million bonus if he wins the Mariano Rivera Award as the AL's best relief pitcher. (In present-day value calculated by MLB) Josh Hader, Astros: $19,000,000 Edwin Diaz, Mets: $18,331,014 Raisel Iglesias,Braves: $16,000,000 Ryan Pressly, Cubs: $14,100,000 Kirby Yates, Dodgers: $13,000,000 Tanner Scott, Dodgers: $ 12,141,009 Taylor Rogers, Reds: $12,000,000 Rafael Montero, Astros: $11,500,000 A.J. Minter, Mets: $11,000,000 Aroldis Chapman,Red Sox: $10,750,000 2025 MLB SALARIES:Database of every player who made the Opening Day roster The figures, compiled by USA TODAY, are calculated by the MLB Labor Relations Department of the present-day value of contracts including deferrals and signing bonuses. The figures by MLB and distributed to all teams are intended to reflect the cash obligations in any given year. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Highest-paid MLB relief pitchers and closers for 2025: Top salaries
