Miami Marlins Players Salary: Burger’s $8.5M Contract Leads MLB’s Lowest $67M Payroll

Miami operated with just $67 million in payroll for 2025, ranking dead last among MLB’s 30 teams. Jake Burger leads the roster at $8.5 million annually as the Marlins undergo complete organizational rebuild after trading away veteran talent.

Jesus Luzardo ($5.2M), Tanner Scott ($3.8M), and Bryan De La Cruz ($2.9M) form the remaining veteran core. Young prospects like Eury Pérez ($770K) and Max Meyer ($775K) fill the roster at league minimum salaries as Miami prioritizes cost control and player development.

Explore Miami Marlins player biography and roster information for complete team analysis.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Miami Marlins Players

Burger earns $8.5 million through arbitration representing Miami’s highest salary commitment. The third baseman arrived via trade from Chicago providing power production while costing a fraction of comparable sluggers across baseball.

Luzardo makes $5.2 million despite injuries limiting his availability. The left-hander’s electric stuff justifies the arbitration salary when healthy. Scott collected $3.8 million as the closer before potential trade discussions at the deadline.

Cabrera earned $2.1 million through arbitration filling the rotation. De La Cruz makes $2.9 million providing outfield depth. The top 10 includes four players earning under $1 million reflecting Miami’s extreme budget constraints.

Marlins Net Worth Through Career Earnings

Burger accumulated $12 million in career earnings building a $7 million net worth across Chicago and Miami. His arbitration years position him for potential trade before reaching expensive free agency.

Luzardo earned $18 million creating an $11 million net worth across Oakland and Miami. His injury history complicates extension discussions despite elite talent when healthy.

Scott collected $8 million building a $5 million net worth. Puk earned $10 million creating a $6 million fortune across Oakland and Miami. Most Marlins players build wealth slowly given the organization’s minimal spending approach.

Pre-Arbitration Prospects Fill Entire Roster

Eury Pérez earns just $770K as Miami’s top pitching prospect. His younger brother Eury represents the organization’s future ace potential while costing league minimum. Max Meyer makes $775K recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in 2023.

Xavier Edwards collected $772K anchoring second base after arriving via trade. His speed and contact skills provide offensive spark at minimal cost. Norby earned $770K splitting time between infield and outfield positions.

Griffin Conine ($765K) and Jonah Bride ($770K) provide roster depth earning minimum salaries. Miami’s strategy prioritizes volume of young talent over expensive veterans, accepting losing seasons as cost of long-term rebuilding.

Rotation Lacks Veteran Leadership

Miami allocated just $12 million to starting pitchers—18% of total payroll. Luzardo ($5.2M) and Cabrera ($2.1M) lead spending while Meyer ($775K) and Pérez ($770K) fill spots at league minimum.

Ryan Weathers ($1.2M) and Valente Bellozo ($770K) round out the rotation through arbitration and pre-arbitration contracts. Miami lacks ace-caliber pitching after trading Sandy Alcántara’s contract to reduce payroll obligations.

The Marlins develop internal pitching rather than pursuing free agents. This approach minimizes costs while stockpiling young arms who may develop into trade chips or future rotation stalwarts once the rebuild progresses.

Trade Strategy Drives Payroll Decisions

Miami traded virtually every veteran earning over $10 million during their 2024-25 teardown. Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and other productive players departed for prospect returns reducing payroll from $98 million in 2024 to $67 million in 2025.

The Marlins’ ownership prioritizes profitability over winning. Their $67 million payroll generates substantial operating profits through revenue sharing and local broadcasting deals despite minimal on-field investment.

Future payroll increases depend on prospect development creating trade value. Miami rarely extends homegrown stars, instead trading them before expensive arbitration years. This cycle perpetuates competitive struggles while maintaining financial discipline.

FAQs

Who is Miami Marlins’ highest-paid player?

Jake Burger earns $8.5 million through arbitration as Miami’s highest-paid player, leading baseball’s lowest $67 million payroll by significant margin.

Why does Miami have baseball’s lowest payroll?

Miami operates at $67 million after trading virtually all veterans, prioritizing profitability and prospect accumulation over competitive roster construction during organizational rebuild.

What is Eury Pérez’s salary?

Pérez makes just $770K as a pre-arbitration pitcher representing Miami’s top prospect while the organization builds around league-minimum talent.

When will the Marlins increase spending?

Miami’s payroll history suggests minimal increases even as prospects develop, with ownership preferring to trade emerging stars before expensive arbitration rather than investing in competitive rosters.