Why do the Dodgers pay Ohtani $70 million dollars per season, nearly 20% more than the next highest paid player?
Because there are more factors that go into a star player’s worth than their stat sheet and metrics.
Yelich was and remains a known name in baseball. Does having a nationally known player help the team sell tickets, ads, suites? Of course it does. Does having a big name player generate clicks for the Brewers website and socials? Of course it does. Does Yelich’s presence help move Brewers merchandise, absolutely.
Outside of the fans who post on team message boards, folks are probably significantly more familiar with the name Yelich than they are Chourio.
That’s the nature of pro sports contracts, they are not many athletes remain productive well into their 30s, from a competition standpoint that might not look good, but it doesn’t mean they’re not still moneymakers for the organization