) In December of 2000 Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) became the highest paid baseball player of all time. A-Rod signed a 10-year $252 million free agent contract with the Texas Rangers. The details of his contract are: bar(" Year ") Annual Amount Paid Amount Deferred (in 2001 $21 $16 $5 paid in 2011 2002 $21 $17 $4 paid in 2012 2003 $21 $18 $3 paid in 2013 2004 $21 $18 $3 paid in 2014 2005 $25 $21 $4 paid in 2015 2006 $25 $21 $4 paid in 2016 2007 $27 $23 $4 paid in 2017 2008 $27 $24 $3 paid in 2018 2009 $27 $24 $3 paid in 2019 2010 $27 $24 $3 paid in 2020 Did A-Rod actually receive $252