Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, also known as the “Big Dumper” by his fans and the MLB world, has fast become crucial for his team.
At age 27, he signed a new six-year, $105 million deal in March 2025. This deal locks in his future with Seattle and places him among the top-paid catchers in Major League Baseball.
A big pay bump for a big league star
His new contract has a $10 million bonus for signing and a pay plan that grows as he gets to his best playing years. Data from Spotrac and insights from Mabumbe show the contract starts this year and lasts until 2030, with an option for 2031.
Here is the yearly pay refelcted on his contract:
- 2025: $1 million pay + $10 million bonus
- 2026: $11 million
- 2027: $12 million
- 2028-2030: $23 million each year
- 2031: $20 million option (or $2 million buyout)
Each year on average, he is expected to get $17.5 million, just behind J.T. Realmuto and Salvador Perez for a MLB catcher pay.
From his early days to becoming a top earner
Before his new deal, Raleigh was paid low for his level. In 2023, he got just $758,300 as an early-stage player. The next year, his salary increased to around $795,000, says Spotrac.
The long, valuable contract now not only rewards his strong play but also locks in costs for a big team role. It buys out his pay-deciding years and some free-agent time, a now common move by baseball teams to keep young stars.
A still modest net worth
As per Mabumbe, Raleigh’s worth is about $2.55 million. It should jump soon as his new deal starts and he finds new income chances. The $10 million bonus alone boosts his past earnings a lot.
Raleigh has shown he is one of the best and most steady catchers in the game. In 2024, he won both a Gold Glove and a Platinum Glove for his performances. He is big on timely hits and leading the teamskills that have pushed the Mariners into the recent playoffs.
This deal shows the Mariners’ plan to grow with their own players, ensuring Raleigh stays as key defense and team leader until at least 2030.
At just 27, Cal Raleigh moved from being picked mid-draft to a top baseball catcher and now, among the richest. With a $105 million deal set and his career going up, the “Big Dumper” is not just a fan-loved player in Seattle, he is a main part of the team.
Read the full article here
