MLB Breaks the Bank: The Highest Paid Players at Each Position in 2011

Ever wonder how you could spend close to a quarter billion dollars on a baseball team (assuming of course that you are not the New York Yankees)?

Try filling your roster with these players and you would have an excellent start.

Here's a quick run down of the highest paid player at each position entering the 2011 season.

Catcher: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins, $23 Million

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 28: Catcher Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins in action during the game against the Kansas City Royals on July 28, 2010 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Minnesota Twins Catcher Joe Mauer will earn $23 million per season through the expiration of his current contract in 2018.

Mauer is a four time All-Star, four time Silver Slugger winner, and the 2009 American League MVP. Mauer also happens to be a three time batting champion and three time Gold Glove winner.

Only fitting that the highest paid catcher on this roster happens to be arguably the best catcher in the game.

First Base: Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies, $25 Million

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 10: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a single against the Cincinnati Reds during Game 3 of the NLDS at Great American Ball Park on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Ryan Howard signed a five-year, $125 Million dollar extension in 2010 that will give him an average annual salary of $25M/yr.

Howard can boast the 2005 Rookie of the Year award, as well as the 2006 National League MVP. He is a three time All Star who has led the National League in Home Runs twice, and RBIs three times.

Second Baseman: Dan Uggla, Atlanta Braves, $12.4 Million

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 29: Dan Uggla #6 of the Florida Marlins against David Ross #8 of the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 29, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Dan Uggla signed a five year, $62 million extension with Atlanta shortly after being traded from the Florida Marlins this past off season, giving him an annual average salary of $12.4 million.

Uggla, a two time All Star, has averaged over 30 home runs in each of the past four seasons while playing for Florida. Uggla posted his highest batting average of his career in 2010 at .287, which along with his 33 home runs was good enough to earn him the Silver Slugger award for second basemen.

Third Baseman: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees, $27.5 Million

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees hits a ground rule double in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in the Bro

Rodriguez agreed to a $275 Million, ten year contract extension with the New York Yankees in December 2007 after opting out of his current deal. Rodriguez broke his own record for the highest paying contract of all time and increased his average annual contract to $27.5 million per year.

Rodriguez is a thirteen time All Star and three time MVP. He currently ranks sixth All Time with 613 career home runs.

Short Stop: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, $17 Million

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees reacts after he tagged out Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers on a pickoff play at second base in the top of the seventh inninng of Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yank

While Jeter will take a pay cut in 2011, he still ranks as the highest paid short stop in the game. Jeter agreed to a three year contract worth $51 million this past off season giving him an average annual salary of $17 million per year.

The Yankee Captain is an eleven time All Star, five time Gold Glove winner, and the 2000 World Series MVP. Jeter is only 74 hits shy of the 3,000 hit club and is considered a lock for First Ballot induction into the Hall of Fame.

Left Fielder: Carl Crawford, Boston Red Sox, $20.3 Million

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BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 11: Theo Epstein (L), general manager of the Boston Red Sox, welcomes Carl Crawford to the team during a press conference to announce Crawford's signing on December 11, 2010 at the Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by E

After nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Carl Crawford signed with the Boston Red Sox this off season for $142 million over 7 years, giving him an average annual salary of $20.3 million per year.

Crawford is a four time All Star who has led the American League in stolen bases and triples four times each. Crawford also won both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards last season.

Center Fielder: Vernon Wells, LA Angels of Anaheim, $18M

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TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 29: Vernon Wells #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits against the New York Yankees during a MLB game at the Rogers Centre September 29, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

Technically this was a tie between Vernon Wells and Tori Hunter, but since both now play on the same team and it is expected that Tori Hunter will move to Right Field, we will focus on Vernon Wells.

Vernon Wells signed a seven year contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays following the 2006 season. His contract pays him a total of $126 million, or $18 million per season.

Wells is both a three time All Star and three time Gold Glove recipient. He boasts 223 career home runs, including 31 last season for the Blue Jays.

Right Fielder: (Tie) Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners, $18 Million

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners at bat against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 29, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ichiro signed a $90 million contract extension in 2007 to pay him an average of $18 million per season over five years.

Ichiro has been an All Star in each of his ten seasons in the Major Leagues, and also has won the Gold Glove all ten seasons in addition to his 2001 American League MVP award. Ichiro has won two batting titles, and has led the American League in hits seven times. He has never had less than 200 hits in any of his Major League seasons.

Right Fielder: (Tie) Jayson Werth, Washington Nationals, $18 Million

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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 15: Jayson Werth #28 of the Washington Nationals poses before being introduced to the media on December 15, 2010 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Time will tell if Jayson Werth can live up to the seven year $126 million contract that the Nationals signed him to this past off season. For now though, he ties Ichiro Suzuki at an average annual salary of $18 million per season.

Werth made the 2009 All Star team, and helped Philadelphia reach the National League Championship Series last season while posting a slash line of .296/.388/.532 with 27HR and 85 RBI.

Designated Hitter: Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians, $14.25 Million

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ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Travis Hafner #48 of the Cleveland Indians bats against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the fourth inning on September 6, 2010 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Hafner signed a four year, $57 million contract extension in 2007, giving him an average annual salary of $14.25 million.

In nine professional seasons, Hafner has a career batting average of .281 with 176 career home runs. His best individual season was 2006 when he connected for 42 home runs.

Starting Pitcher: Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies, $24 Million

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 02: Starting pitcher Cliff Lee #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in Game Five of the 2009 MLB World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 2, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phi

When Cliff Lee decided to return to Philadelphia rather than resign with the Texas Rangers, he became the recipient of the largest annual salary for a starting pitcher at $24 million per season. His contract with the Phillies is for $120 million over five seasons.

Cliff Lee is a two time All Star and a Cy Young winner. He is considered a clutch pitcher in the Post Season, and was the top free agent target this past off season.

Closer: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees, $15 Million

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won

This past off season Rivera agreed to a two year, $30 Million contract to stay with the Yankees. The eleven time All Star will earn an average of $15 Million per season the next two years.

Rivera is 2nd All Time on the career Saves list with 559 saves. In addition to his eleven All Star appearances, Rivera has factored into the MVP voting nine times, and the Cy Young voting five times.