The landscape of Major League Baseball contracts has evolved dramatically since Nolan Ryan became the first player to earn a million dollars annually in 1979. His landmark deal with the Houston Astros signaled a new era in player compensation, and today, Juan Soto's potential $800 million contract with the New York Mets showcases just how far the game has come.

As the market expands, the possibility of a player signing a billion-dollar contract looms on the horizon. Young talents like Gunnar Henderson, Elly De La Cruz, and Jackson Holliday are among the names being speculated as potential candidates for this unprecedented milestone, though the future remains uncertain.