Who is the highest-paid starting pitcher in MLB? Mets' Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander tied at top

The New York Mets will pay starter pitchers Max Scherzer, 38, and Justin Verlander, 40, very handsomely - the two former Cy Young winners will each earn $43.3 million this season.

Verlander and Scherzer, who played together for five years with the Detroit Tigers, were reunited thanks to Mets owner and billionaire Steve Cohen. The Mets signed Scherzer to a three-year, $130 million contract a year ago and Verlander to a two-year, $86.6 million deal this offseason.

Scherzer held the title for the highest annual average contract ($43.3 million) in baseball history until Verlander matched him.

Scerhzer's deal shattered the record for average annual value set by the crosstown New York Yankees and Gerrit Cole ($36 million).

Who are the highest-paid MLB starting pitchers in 2023?

Here's the top 10:

T-1. RH Max Scherzer, N.Y. Mets, $43,333,333

T-1. RH Justin Verlander, N.Y. Mets, $43,333,333

3. RH Gerrit Cole, N.Y. Yankees, $36,000,000

4. RH Stephen Strasburg, Washington, $32,500,286

T-5. RH Shohei Ohtani, L.A. Angels, $30,000,000

T-5. RH Jacob deGrom, Texas, $30,000,000

T-7. RH Marcus Stroman, Chicago Cubs, $25,000,000

T-7. RH Yu Darvish, San Diego, $25,000,000

9. LH Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia, $24,500,000

10. RH Patrick Corbin, Washington, $24,416,667

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What are the biggest contracts ever for a starting pitcher in MLB?

Here's the list, by total value:

1. Gerrit Cole, $324,000,000 (2020-28)

2. Stephen Strasburg, $245,000,000 (2020-26)

3. David Price, $217,000,000 (2016-22) (signed as a SP)

4. Clayton Kershaw, $215,000,000 (2014-20)

5. Max Scherzer, $210,000,000 (2015-21)

6. Zack Greinke, $206,500,000 (2016-21)

7. Jacob deGrom, $185,000,000 (2023-27)

8. Justin Verlander, $180,000,000 (2013-19)

T-9. Felix Hernandez, $175,000,000 (2013-19)

T-9. Stephen Strasburg, $175,000,000 (2017-23)

11. Carlos Rodón, $162,000,000 (2023-28)

12. CC Sabathia, $161,000,000 (2009-15)

T-13. Masahiro Tanaka, $155,000,000 (2014-20)

T-13. Jon Lester, $155,000,000 (2015-20)

15. Zack Greinke, $147,000,000 (2013-18)

16. Chris Sale, $145,000,000 (2020-24)

17. Cole Hamels, $144,000,000 (2013-18)

18. Patrick Corbin, $140,000,000 (2019-24)

T-19. Johan Santana, $137,500,000 (2008-13)

T-19. Jacob deGrom, $137,500,000 (2019-23)

21. Jose Berrios, $131,000,000 (2022-28)

T-22. Johnny Cueto, $130,000,000 (2016-21)

T-22. Max Scherzer, $130,000,000 (2022-24)

24. Matt Cain, $127,500,000 (2012-17)

T-25. Barry Zito, $126,000,000 (2007-13)

T-25. Yu Darvish, $126,000,000 (2018-23)

Source: USA TODAY Sports, Cot's Baseball Contracts

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest-paid MLB starting pitcher: Biggest SP salaries for 2023 season