4. Justin Verlander, $28.6 million
Justin Verlander, 33, is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, who paid him $28 million in 2016.
His is a six-time All-Star. He’s also pitched two no-hitters and led the American League in strikeouts four times, including in 2016.
In 25 starts, Verlander posted a record of 16 wins and 9 losses with an ERA of 3.04. Verlander earned $1.1 million for every game he started and $1.75 million for every game he won.
The Tigers won 86 games, good enough for second place in the American League Central, but the Tigers missed the postseason. Verlander earned almost $314,000 per Tigers win.