Kyle Higashioka is a professional baseball player who currently plays as a catcher for the New York Yankees. He recently signed a new contract with the team, which raises a question on how much he actually makes.
Higashioka’s salary is a topic of interest to many baseball fans, especially those who follow the Yankees. In this blog post, we will explore the details of Kyle Higashioka’s contract, analyze his salary compared to other catchers in the league, and discuss his potential for future earnings.
By the end of this post, readers will have a clear understanding of how much Kyle Higashioka makes and how that compares to other players in his position.
Details of Kyle Higashioka’s Contract
Kyle Higashioka signed a one-year contract with the New York Yankees in 2022, which guarantees him a salary of $1,462,500. This means that no matter what happens during the 2023 season, Higashioka will earn at least $1,462,500.
In addition to the guaranteed salary, Higashioka’s contract also includes an average annual salary of $1,462,500. This means that if he were to sign a new contract with the Yankees in the future, his average annual salary would be based on this figure.
It’s worth noting that Higashioka’s salary is relatively modest compared to other players in his position. According to Spotrac, which tracks player contracts and salaries, the average annual salary for a catcher in the MLB is $6.7 million. Higashioka’s salary is less than a quarter of that amount.
However, it’s important to remember that baseball contracts are complex and often include additional bonuses, incentives, and performance-based pay.
While the details of Higashioka’s contract are not public, it’s possible that he could earn more than his guaranteed salary if he meets certain performance benchmarks during the 2023 season.
Analysis of Higashioka’s Salary
When comparing Kyle Higashioka’s salary to other catchers in the league, it’s clear that he earns less than the average annual salary for a player in his position. However, it’s important to consider the factors that influence salary, such as experience, performance, and role on the team.
Higashioka has been with the Yankees since 2017 and has primarily served as a backup catcher during that time.
While he has shown flashes of potential as a hitter, his primary value to the team is as a defensive player and pitch framer. This role as a backup catcher limits his playing time, which in turn can limit his ability to negotiate for a higher salary.
It’s also worth considering the financial realities of the Yankees as a team. The Yankees are a large market team with a high payroll, but they also have several high-priced players on their roster, including Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gerrit Cole.
This can limit the amount of money they are willing to spend on players in less critical positions, such as backup catcher.
That being said, Higashioka’s salary is still a fair one given his role on the team and his level of experience. While he may earn less than other catchers in the league, his defensive skills and ability to work well with the Yankees’ pitching staff make him a valuable asset to the team.
It’s also worth noting that Higashioka’s salary is on par with other backup catchers in the league, suggesting that his contract is a fair reflection of his value as a player.
Higashioka’s Performance and Potential for Future Earnings
Kyle Higashioka’s performance in past seasons has been solid, but limited due to his role as a backup catcher. In 2021, he played in 44 games and had a batting average of .206 with 9 home runs and 20 RBIs.
However, his primary value to the team is as a defensive player, where he has shown proficiency in framing pitches and working well with the team’s pitching staff.
Given his age, Higashioka has the potential to earn more in future contracts if he continues to improve his performance. He will turn 32 years old in 2023, which is not considered young for a baseball player, but is not necessarily old either.
Catchers tend to have longer careers than other positions due to their value as defensive players and their ability to provide leadership to the team.
If Higashioka continues to perform well and earn playing time, he could negotiate for a higher salary in future contracts. However, it’s important to note that his role on the team is unlikely to change significantly in the near future, given the presence of starting catcher Gary Sanchez.
This means that his ability to negotiate for a higher salary may be limited by his role as a backup catcher.
Overall, Higashioka’s performance and potential for future earnings are solid, but may be limited by his role on the team.
As a backup catcher, he may not have the same bargaining power as starting catchers, but his value to the team as a defensive player and pitch framer makes him a valuable asset nonetheless.
Comparison of Catchers’ Salaries in 2023 Season
| Player | Team | Salary in 2023 Season |
|---|---|---|
| J.T. Realmuto | Philadelphia Phillies | $20,000,000 |
| Buster Posey | San Francisco Giants | $21,400,000 |
| Yasmani Grandal | Chicago White Sox | $18,250,000 |
| Willson Contreras | Chicago Cubs | $6,650,000 |
| Gary Sanchez | New York Yankees | $6,350,000 |
| Kyle Higashioka | New York Yankees | $1,462,500 |
The above table shows the comparison of salaries for selected catchers in the 2023 MLB season. As can be seen, Kyle Higashioka’s salary of $1,462,500 is significantly lower than the salaries of starting catchers such as J.T.
Realmuto and Buster Posey, but similar to the salaries of other backup catchers such as Gary Sanchez and Willson Contreras.
FAQs
What other catchers in the league earn a similar salary to Higashioka?
There are several other backup catchers in the league who earn a similar salary to Higashioka, such as Francisco Mejia of the Tampa Bay Rays and Elias Diaz of the Colorado Rockies.
Could Higashioka negotiate for a higher salary if he becomes a starting catcher?
If Higashioka were to become the starting catcher for the Yankees, his ability to negotiate for a higher salary would likely increase. Starting catchers generally earn higher salaries than backup catchers due to their increased playing time and value to the team.
How does Higashioka’s contract compare to other players on the Yankees?
Higashioka’s contract is relatively small compared to other players on the Yankees. The team has several high-priced players, such as Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, who earn significantly more than Higashioka.
What is Higashioka’s role on the team?
Higashioka serves primarily as a backup catcher for the Yankees. He is valued for his defensive skills and ability to work well with the team’s pitching staff.
Could Higashioka’s performance this season impact his future earnings?
Yes, if Higashioka performs well this season and earns more playing time, he could negotiate for a higher salary in future contracts. However, his role as a backup catcher may limit his bargaining power.
Conclusion
Kyle Higashioka signed a one-year contract with the New York Yankees worth $1,462,500 in guaranteed salary and an average annual salary of $1,462,500.
While his salary is lower than the average for catchers in the league, it reflects his role as a backup catcher and the financial realities of the Yankees as a team.
Despite his limited role, Higashioka has shown solid performance as a defensive player and pitch framer.
As he approaches 32 years old, he still has the potential to earn more in future contracts if he continues to improve his performance. However, his role as a backup catcher may limit his ability to negotiate for a higher salary.
Overall, Higashioka’s contract is a fair reflection of his value as a player to the Yankees. As a valuable asset on defense and as a backup catcher, his role on the team is important and he has the potential for future earnings as he continues to develop his skills.
