In recent years Major League Baseball (MLB) has seen a trend of long term multimillion dollar contracts. The purpose of this study was to examine Major League Baseball player’s performance before and after signing a free-agent contract. This research helps to explain the relationship between reward and performance in professional baseball players. Subjects include 65 major league baseball players that were free agents in the years of 2005 and 2006. The group of 65 players consisted of 34 position players and 31 pitchers. The individual statistical analysis of position players’ batting average, homeruns, and runs batted in were used. The statistics that were analyzed for the pitchers were earned run average, innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins and losses. The results that showed significance was batting average, homeruns, runs batted in, and earned run average. The results of this study can be a useful tool for the front office of Major League Baseball teams. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science