#MLB’s highest-paid player in 2020 is not who you think

The coronavirus pandemic has had its economic effects on the 2020 MLB season, but the most bizarre aspect has to be the league-leading salary of one vastly overpaid pitcher.

Chen Wei-Yin, who isn’t even expected to even take a major-league field this season, is slated to be the highest-paid baseball player in 2020 to the tune of $22 million. The second-highest paid player will be the ex-Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury — though the club has filed a grievance to avoid paying the rest of his contract considering he hasn’t played since 2017 due to injuries. The Yankees released Ellsbury, whom they owed $21 million, in November.

As a free agent prior to the 2016 season, Wei-Yin signed an $80 million contract over five years with the Miami Marlins. However, over the first four years of his deal, Wei-Yin went 13-19 with an abysmal 5.10 ERA. He also had the worst ERA-Plus (78) of any National League pitcher who pitched as many innings as he did (358).

So the Marlins officially released Wei-Yin last November after the team went 1-23 in the 24 games the Taiwanese pitcher threw. The Mariners then signed him to a minor-league free-agent deal that winter before ultimately releasing him as well.

Therefore, his release meant the Marlins were responsible for paying all $22 million he was owed for the 2020 season.

Players like Gerrit Cole, Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon are subjected to receiving their full prorated salaries — or 37 percent of what they normally make — due to the coronavirus-shortened season, while players who got released before the pandemic will receive every penny they are owed.