Let’s be clear about one thing before we start, the All-Star Game is just an exhibition game. It doesn’t count for anything. That ended in 2017. Going is not mandatory and does not harm a player’s career
In fact, players such as Jose Ramirez and Julio Rodriguez, both selected by the fans, decided not to be present at the event “to prepare for the second half of the season”.
There are other players who play and leave on private charters as soon as they are taken out of the game. This is an MLB show to promote the game and it should be seen as such
How much extra money do baseball players make?
In theory, only the players on the winning team receive a bonus of $25,000. The losers get nothing. Well, it’s that losers never have a mother, says the saying
Any player who uses the microphone during the game, regardless of which side they belong to, receives a bonus of $10,000. This is done as an incentive for fans to hear the voices of the protagonists from the field
Otherwise, each player has in their clauses how much they will earn for attending the event, winning the MVP and so on. An example?
Let’s talk about Juan Soto, the highest paid player in baseball, who will not be in the summer classic this year. The Dominican’s contract specifies that he is paid 100,000 dollars every time he is called up, but that is a separate agreement
Another example? Well, let’s go with Ronald Acuna, who will be the National League’s starting right fielder. Among the agreements signed by the La Sabana native and the Braves in 2019, there is no bonus for participating in the event
The Kansas City Royals pay him $50,000 per player selected to key players such as Salvador Perez
It is worth mentioning the case of pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies): although he was not officially selected to the 2025 All-Star Game, the team decided to pay him his $50,000 bonus as if he had been selected, in recognition of his performance
Since 2019, MLB and the union have implemented bonuses for fan voting to select the starters for the All-Star Game. The top vote-getters at each position receive $15,000; those who finish second in the voting receive $5,000; and those who finish third, $2,500.
Not everything has to be about money, there are incentives
Players have to be given incentives, and there are, but they are not reflected in each player’s paycheck
Each player receives six free tickets for their guests. In addition, the player receives three first-class tickets, himself and two guests, to go to the event.
Each player and their family stay in five-star hotels, previously selected by MLB. For three days, meals are covered by the organizer
Each player also receives a bonus of $1,000 plus a gift from MLB.
Seen this way, it is concluded that all the selected players, whether or not they go to the event, are assured of some money. That way they can enjoy the baseball party.
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