As the past week has shown, there has been some crazy money thrown out to star MLB players—most-notably, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout of the Detroit Tigers and L.A. Angles, respectively. So now that Trout has jumped from just $500,000 a year to over $24 million, who are the athletes who should be upset that they aren’t getting as much as they deserve?
5. David Price – Tampa Bay Rays
What He Gets Paid: $14 million
Now don’t get us wrong here, $14 million is a lot of money for someone to make annually. But when you put David Price’s numbers up against guys who have achieved much less, but make a ton more, it’s easy to see why the lefty makes this list. As a former Cy Young winner and three-time All-Star, we imagine Price will be getting a bigger, long-term contract not too long from now.
4. Kenneth Faried
What He Gets Paid: $1.3 million
Coming into the league known as one of the most complete rebounders in the college ranks seen in a long time, Faried hasn’t disappointed since coming into the NBA, averaging just over 11 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in his two seasons for the Nuggets. Known as “The Manimal,” Denver’s big man combines great energy and intensity on both ends of the court that are invaluable to a team—but because he’s still on his rookie contract, gets paid pennies for his blue-collar work.
3. Mat Latos, Reds
What He Gets Paid: $7.25 million
Winning nearly 58 percent of his games and compiling an ERA at 3.35, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mat Latos has seemed to proven he’s the real deal every fifth day he takes the mound. Though he lacks the notoriety of an All-Star appearance yet in his five-year career, Latos has gone 28-11 in his two seasons since being traded to the Reds, giving them an ace who’s just 25 years old. He’s set to jump to $7.25 million this season after just $4.25 million in 2013, but that’s still a few million less than he’s probably worth given his age and nasty stuff.
2. Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
What He Gets Paid: $3.5 million
After back-to-back seasons in which he posted a 3.05 and 3.07 ERA while winning 28 games for a bad White Sox team, pitcher Chris Sale could probably make an argument that he’s not nearly paid enough. With two consecutive All-Star Game appearances as well, he has proven to be an ace in the game and, still 25, will have plenty of productive years left. Time will tell when Sale gets his massive deal, though.
1. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
What He Gets Paid: $500,000
While Russell Wilson is in-line to get a massive extension in the next year or so, as it stands right now, the reigning Super Bowl-winning quarterback is making just half a million dollars. Sure, that’s great cash for you or me. But for a guy who has gone 24-8 in his first two seasons with a title, it’s not nearly what he’s worth—and everyone knows it.
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
