Countdown to Opening Day - 12: Baseball's highest-paid players

In this 30-day series, theScore's MLB editors will preview the 2015 season with an in-depth look at some of the significant numbers - statistical milestones, jersey numbers and general miscellanea - poised to pop up throughout the campaign. 

Baseball players are richer than ever, with 28 players set to earn at least $20 million this season and one ace cashing in $32 million. 

As illustrated by the list below, however, the 12 highest-paid players this season aren't necessarily the 12 most talented. 

*Charts indicate production since signing deal

12. Mark Teixeira - $23.125 million (8 years, $180 million) 
Signed: December 2008
Remaining: $46.25 million

Teixeira finished second in MVP voting in his first year with the Yankees and managed at least 33 home runs in each of his first three seasons in the Bronx. Hampered by a wrist injury that resulted in surgery in 2013, the 34-year-old has appeared in just 138 games over the past two seasons.

11. Cole Hamels - $23.5 million (6 years, $144 million)
Signed: July 2012 
Remaining: $94 million

Philadelphia locked up the 2008 World Series MVP to the second-largest contract ever signed by a pitcher at the time, but the Phillies are no longer a powerhouse and could use the left-hander as their most valuable trade chip. 

T-8. Prince Fielder - $24 million (9 years, $215 million) 
Signed: January 2012
Remaining: $144 million

The Tigers flipped Fielder to Texas just one year after inking him to the plus-sized deal, and the five-time All-Star wilted in the Arlington heat. The 30-year-old managed three home runs in 42 games with the Rangers last season before undergoing season-ending neck surgery. 

T-8. Robinson Cano - $24 million (10 years, $240 million) 
Signed: December 2013
Remaining: $192 million

Cano trusted the Mariners' front office when spurning the Yankees and their seven-year, $175-million offer, and they've rewarded him by building one of the most well-rounded teams in the American League. The 32-year-old's power numbers took a hit with the move to Safeco, but Cano still managed to finish fifth in AL MVP voting. 

T-8. Albert Pujols - $24 million (10 years, $254 million) 
Signed: December 2011
Remaining: $189 million

Pujols became the third player in history to break the $200-million barrier when he signed with the Angels, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after 11 seasons. The three-time NL MVP has sandwiched a pair of solid seasons around an injury-plagued 2013 campaign so far with the Halos. 

T-5. Zack Greinke - $25 million (6 years, $147 million) 
Signed: December 2012
Remaining: $102 million

Greinke has $102 million guaranteed remaining on his deal, but has the ability to opt out at the end of this season. If all goes well, and barring an injury it should, the right-hander could hit another major payday should he seek free agency. 

T-5. Ryan Howard - $25 million (5 years, $125 million) 
Signed: July 2010
Remaining: $60 million 

The Phillies would love to shed even a fraction of the remaining $60 million owed to the 2006 NL MVP. After slugging an average of 49 home runs in four years prior to his extension, Howard has hit just 112 since while seeing almost all of his offensive numbers drop substantially.  

T-5. Cliff Lee - $25 million (5 years, $120 million) 
Signed: December 2010
Remaining: $25 million

An elbow injury could derail Lee for the remainder of the season and potentially his career. While the news is devastating for the 36-year-old, it could be a blessing in disguise for the rebuilding Phillies. Having hit the 200-inning plateau in three of his four seasons since signing his current deal, Lee would have triggered a $27.5-million vesting option for 2016 if he were to reach 200 innings.

4. Felix Hernandez - $24.8 million (7 years, $175 million) 
Signed: February 2013
Remaining: $132 million

One of the best pitchers in the majors was finally rewarded by the Mariners' front office, and the King of Safeco has hardly missed a beat since cashing in. Hernandez is coming off arguably his best season, reaching career lows in ERA (2.14) and WHIP (0.91) while recording a career-best 248 strikeouts. 

3. Josh Hamilton - $25.4 million (5 years, $125 million) 
Signed: December 2012
Remaining: $83.9 million 

A cautionary tale for all general managers hoping to make a splash, Hamilton has been a shell of his former self since cashing in and, following a relapse, the slugger might not ever play in the majors again. After making five consecutive All-Star appearances with the Texas Rangers, Hamilton has failed to play in the Midsummer Classic since joining the Angels. 

2. Justin Verlander - $28 million (7 years, $180 million) 
Signed: March 2013
Remaining: $140 million

Previously regarded as one of baseball's most feared pitchers, Verlander went 78-31 with a 2.95 ERA in 135 games from 2009 to 2012 before signing his extension. But he's lost 24 games in 66 starts since, and is coming off the first season in seven years in which he saw his ERA go north of 4.50. 

1. Clayton Kershaw - $32 million (7 years, $215 million) 
Signed: January 2014
Remaining: $208.5 million

If there's anyone worth handing dump trucks of money to, it's Kershaw. The best pitcher in baseball is fresh off his 27th birthday and the best season of his career, in which he won NL Cy Young and NL MVP.