In December 2015, David Price signed what was then the largest contract in baseball history for a pitcher: a fully guaranteed 7-year, $217 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. The agreement reset the market for elite arms and set a new floor for what top-tier starters could expect to earn.
The Big Deal: Boston Red Sox (2015)
- Signed: December 4, 2015
- Length: 7 years (2016–2022)
- Total guaranteed value: $217 million
- Average annual value: $31 million
- No-trade clause: Yes
How the Contract Was Structured
The deal paid Price a flat $31 million per year, fully guaranteed for all seven seasons — no performance clauses, no conditions that could reduce his payout. As a star pitcher entering free agency at the peak of his value, Price negotiated total financial security regardless of what happened on the mound.
The contract included a no-trade clause, giving Price veto power over any deal. He also had an opt-out after the 2018 season, but chose not to exercise it and remained on the original terms.
The Fine Print
In February 2020, Boston traded Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers alongside Mookie Betts. To make the deal work, the Red Sox agreed to cover half of the remaining money on Price’s contract. In MLB, a fully guaranteed deal means a player collects every dollar regardless of injury or performance — something teams rarely walk away from on contracts of this size.
Where Price Ranks Historically
- #29 — Largest contracts in MLB history (by total guaranteed value)
- #6 — Among pitchers
- #15 — Career earnings in MLB history
Rankings based on total guaranteed value, excluding deferred money. Data from Spotrac and Baseball-Reference as of August 11, 2026.
While the deal was groundbreaking at the time, the pitcher market has continued to climb since, which explains why a $217 million contract now sits 29th all-time rather than at the very top.
Before Boston: His Prior Contract
- Toronto Blue Jays (2015): $19.8 million — settled via arbitration
Price entered free agency after the 2015 season as one of the most coveted arms on the market. His $19.8M arbitration salary with Toronto underscored his value, and Boston went all-in with an unprecedented offer.
Career Earnings
- Total MLB salary earned: $252 million
- Total guaranteed money across all contracts: $237 million
Those figures cover base salary, signing bonuses, and earned bonuses in MLB — not endorsements or money from leagues outside the United States. Price retired after completing the 2022 season, the final year of his Red Sox deal.
