7. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals, $13.692 million value; $38.333 million salary
The hero of the 2019 World Series almost certainly ranks higher in the minds of most fans, especially Nationals fans. His chances of a top 5 rating were compromised by his 138 ERA+, only 16th best and worth $5.088 million in 2019.
But for that, Strasburg might have made the top five. He ranked fifth in workload with 209 innings, a total that valued at $5.352 million. His 251 strikeouts were sixth-best in the game, amounting to $3.251 million.
6. Lance Lynn, Texas Rangers, $13.715 million value; $9.333 million salary
ERA+ also got Lynn. His score of 141 amounted to $5.199 million in value, the MLB’s 14th highest total.
Had he raised that figure a few points, Lynn would rank among the game’s five best. His 308.1 innings pitched ranked seventh, producing $5.329 million in value. His 246 strikeouts also ranked seventh and added a final $3.186 million in value.
Lynn, who will be 32 when the season begins, is a former member of the Cardinals who – following one season with the Minnesota Twins — enjoyed a career renaissance in his first season with Texas. He is under contract to the Rangers through 2021.