ESPN.com recently posted a list of the top 25 highest paid athletes in the world and three Phillies are on that list. Cliff Lee and Ryan Howard‘s $25 million dollar 2014 salaries are tied for 16th on the list. Cole Hamels 2014 salary comes in at #23 with the lefty getting a hefty $23.5 million dollars this year.
Among MLB players Lee & Howard are both tied for the second highest salary, trailing only Dodgers starter Zach Greinke who is slated to make $28 million this year. Hamels $23.5 million is good for sixth place among MLB players. And while he is not on the list, the Phillies Jonathan Papelbon is MLB’s highest paid reliever with a 2014 salary of $13 million.
So far its looking like Cliff Lee is the only one who is worth the money. Since signing with the Phillies during the 2010 offseason Lee has posted a 39-26 record with a 2.87 ERA while averaging just under a strikeout an inning.
Cole Hamels has stayed true to his career numbers. Since signing his mega deal before the 2012 trade deadline, Hamels has posted a 3.44 ERA. Ryan Howard has battled injuries, and because of that, is a shell of the player the Phillies thought they were getting when he signed his contract extension back in 2010.
To see the full list, click here.
