The Baltimore Orioles’ payroll is one of the lowest in baseball.
Aaron Hicks and James McCann are the active players with the highest salaries, but the vast majority of that is covered by the New York Yankees and New York Mets, respectively.
Their most significant salary commitment is to pitcher Kyle Gibson, who they signed to a one-year, $10 million deal in the offseason.
However, there is a player they are paying more than that, but he is not on the roster.
In fact, he recently retired: it’s Chris Davis.
“The highest paid Baltimore Oriole in 2023 is Chris Davis. He’s making $14,833,333 this year and will also be receiving another $56 million through 2037,” Codify Baseball tweeted.
The highest paid Baltimore Oriole in 2023 is Chris Davis.
He's making $14,833,333 this year and will also be receiving another $56 million through 2037. pic.twitter.com/KpxfU1rw4V
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) September 4, 2023
Yikes.
That Davis extension in January 2016 really set the franchise back at least a few years.
It was a mammoth seven-year, $161 million commitment that left the team little maneuvering room, especially considering that he was a liability after that.
Davis was a symbol of the 2010s Orioles that were contenders and made the postseason three times, in 2012, 2014, and 2016.
However, and unfortunately, he was also the poster boy of the franchise’s struggles after 2016.
The Orioles will have to keep honoring their commitment with Davis until 2037, but at least the sun has started to come out for the organization.
At 86-51, the O’s have the best record in the American League and look like serious contenders for the first time in years.
That has to feel good for Davis, Orioles fans, and the front office.
The job is not done, but Baltimore is competitive again.
NEXT: Numbers Prove How Adley Rutschman Has Changed The Orioles
