USA TODAY Sports

The average Major League Baseball salary increased for the 13th consecutive year, but the rate of growth is slowing - even as industry revenues top the $10 billion mark.

USA TODAY Sports' annual salary survey shows the average major leaguer will make $4.47 million in 2017. That's still a record - but just a 1.6% increase over the $4.4 million mark last year. And that's the smallest bump since the last salary decrease - from $2.5 million in 2003 to $2.4 million in 2004, a 3% drop.

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will be the majors' highest-paid player for the second consecutive year, at $33 million. His Dodgers will also repeat as opening-day payroll kings, at $188 million for their 25-man roster, plus disabled list.

Their total financial commitments, however, will total more than $235 million, as they are paying nearly $50 million to players either released or in the minor leagues. Carl Crawford, who has not played since he was released by the Dodgers in June, will receive $21.8 million from them this season.

At the other end of the spectrum, the San Diego Padres will commit just $34.6 million to their opening-day roster. However, the Padres are also paying out money to players who will not suit up for them - more than $35 million, $27 million of that for their shares of salaries to outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. and starting pitcher James Shields.

Of the 31 players on the Padres' opening-day roster and disabled list, 21 are making less than $1 million, and three are making the league minimum $535,000.

That desire to go with younger, cheaper talent has pervaded the majors all the more, as the average player can hardly count on a cost-of-living increase each year. Many veteran players such as Kelly Johnson and Angel Pagan did not find guaranteed major league jobs all the way through spring training, raising concerns among veteran players that the desire for younger and cheaper may come at the expense of consistent on-field performers.

Contributing: Scott Boeck, Bob Nightengale and Gabe Lacques

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