MLB The Show 25: Building the Most Expensive Team Possible

For years, MLB The Show has been defined by its blend of baseball realism and card-collecting depth, but MLB The Show 25 takes that identity to a new extreme. With more high-value collections, an expanded marketplace economy, and some of the rarest card drops we’ve ever seen, the game has created a meta where constructing the “most expensive team possible” is both a flex and a challenge.

In the competitive atmosphere of Diamond Dynasty, players are constantly searching for the highest-rated, MLB The Show 25 Stubs, and most financially demanding cards available. Doing so doesn’t just showcase skill—it shows dedication, patience, and a massive stub investment.

In this breakdown, we’ll explore what it takes to build the single most expensive team currently possible in MLB The Show 25, based on marketplace prices, collection rewards, and the overall card economy. From legendary pitchers like Satchel Paige and Randy Johnson to million-stub collection rewards such as Carlos Beltrán and Josh Donaldson, this guide tracks how to construct a team truly built on rarity.

The Philosophy Behind an “All-Expensive” Team

Building the most expensive lineup in MLB The Show 25 isn’t just about having high ratings—it's about selecting the priciest card available at every single position. That means:

Prioritising collection rewards, especially those requiring massive stub sinks

Using live series elites that still hold elite-tier value

Filling gaps with marketplace monsters, cards are currently sitting near the top of the buy/sell ranges

Ensuring no slot is occupied by anything but the most financially demanding option

This is a showcase team. A wallet-busting, stub-shattering group of superstars that represents the pinnacle of Diamond Dynasty’s economy.

Let’s break down the roster piece by piece.

Collection Rewards: The Foundation of a Luxury Lineup

Josh Donaldson – The Crown Jewel of Expensive Collections

Every expensive team begins with one of the most infamous cards in MLB The Show history: 99 Josh Donaldson, the mega-collection reward. Long considered the most expensive card in the game, Donaldson requires completing nearly everything Diamond Dynasty has to offer.

With countless cards and millions of stubs necessary to unlock him, he is irreplaceable in any “most expensive roster” build. Simply put: if you're building a luxury team, Donaldson goes in automatically.

Carlos Beltrán – A Million-Stub Titan

Beltrán was the Live Series collection reward earlier in the cycle, and as always, his price soared over 1,000,000 stubs. A switch-hitting outfielder with elite contact, power, and defense, he remains one of the priciest and most coveted cards in MLB The Show 25.

Jose Bautista, Ted Williams & Scott Rolen

Other major collection rewards also become immediate must-haves:

Jose Bautista — One of the first truly expensive hitters of the year

Ted Williams — Historically dominant, even if disappointing this cycle

Scott Rolen — A card many players regret rushing into because of his massive cost

Rolen in particular became infamous: “I spent millions of stubs on him,” many players echo, and yet he still drifts toward the bottom of batting orders. But for this challenge? He’s mandatory.

Filling Out the Lineup: Power, Prestige, and Price Tags

With the core collectors in place, it’s time to fill the remaining positions using the absolute highest-priced marketplace options available.

First Base – Gil Hodges

Gil Hodges, the NL collection reward, still carries one of the highest first-base price points of the year—well over 900,000 stubs at the time. Unless a new first baseman emerges that costs more, Hodges is the runaway choice.

Shortstop – Honus Wagner

Honus Wagner has been expensive for over a decade of MLB The Show titles, and in 25, the story is no different. Sitting at 327,000 stubs, he’s often the most expensive shortstop available on the market.

Even better, he’s fast, elite defensively, and fits the lineup perfectly as a leadoff hitter.

Outfield – Ian Happ Takes Over the Market

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the entire build:

Ian Happ became the single most expensive marketplace card in the entire game.

Filtering the marketplace with a minimum value of 500,000 stubs, only one card appeared—Happ.

He’s a must-add by price alone, and for this lineup, he fills the DH or LF slot with ease.

Live Series Giants – Aaron Judge & Shohei Ohtani

The Live Series still holds strong—especially with MLB superstars:

Aaron Judge – 484,000 stubs

Shohei Ohtani – 416,000 stubs

Both cards surpass their special versions in raw marketplace price, making them essential inclusions. Judge becomes a premier corner outfielder, while Ohtani fills a flex hitting or utility role depending on your setup.

The Pitching Rotation: Historic Aces and Massive Stub Investments

A luxury pitching staff requires nothing but the most expensive arms available. That means avoiding the “Finest” cards and focusing on elite high-stub legends and collection rewards.

Roger Clemens – AL Collection Ace

Roger Clemens is one of the most expensive pitching rewards in the game. Unlocking him requires completing the entire American League live series, which costs upward of 800,000 stubs depending on market timing.

He’s powerful, dominant, and fits the theme perfectly.

Randy Johnson – Still a Financial Monster

Although not the single most expensive pitcher anymore, Randy Johnson remains highly valuable at 294,000 stubs, sitting above players like Wheeler, Gibson, and Max Fried.

His size, velocity, and pitch mix keep him among the game’s elite year after year.

Satchel Paige – The New King of Pitching Prices

But the biggest revelation of the pitching market?

Satchel Paige now holds the title of most expensive pitcher, sitting around 295,000 stubs on the market.

He edges out Randy Johnson and becomes the primary must-add to complete the rotation. Beyond cost, Paige is simply fun—a unique, high-speed delivery and elite repertoire that makes him perfect for experimentation.

Catcher – Choosing Between Jorge Posada and Cal Ripken Jr.

Catcher is always a tricky position in expensive team builds. Two names emerged:

Jorge Posada — Historically pricey and mechanically one of the best offensive catchers

Cal Ripken Jr. (Home Run Derby version) — A controversial but extremely expensive choice

In this case, the Home Run Derby Cal Ripken is selected because of the actual stub investment made. Many players poured real money and stubs into HRD packs chasing him earlier in the cycle, making him one of the most personally expensive cards on many rosters.

Building the Final Lineup & Strategy

Once all pieces are assembled, the final, most expensive roster looks something like this:

Lineup Example

Honus Wagner – SS

Aaron Judge – RF

Carlos Beltrán – CF

Ian Happ – LF/DH

Jose Bautista – RF/DH

Ted Williams – LF/DH

Gil Hodges – 1B

Cal Ripken Jr. – C

Scott Rolen – 3B

Rotation

Satchel Paige

Roger Clemens

Randy Johnson

Additional high-priced options, depending on preference

Bench

Other expensive cards, including collection pieces and marketplace rarities, can fill out the last few slots to complete the “luxury” build.

Testing the Team: Gameplay, Performance, and Surprises

Put simply: using the most expensive team possible is both exciting and unpredictable.

Some players—like Rolen or Ted Williams—are statistically great but might underperform in practice. Others, such as Ian Happ, play far above expectations.

A few key takeaways:

1. Honus Wagner as Leadoff Is a Blast

With his elite speed and contact, giving him his first real run is both enjoyable and effective.

2. Satchel Paige Is Worth Trying

Many players haven't used him yet, but Paige is one of the most unique pitchers available. His delivery alone adds a layer of difficulty for opponents.

3. The team’s real strength is its flexibility

So many DH/OF corner bats make it easy to experiment with lineup combinations.

The Market Factor: Why Prices Change So Fast

An interesting part of this build is realizing how quickly the market shifts. Cards that were once over a million stubs—like Bautista or certain Finest players—have dropped dramatically.

Meanwhile, unexpected cards like Ian Happ suddenly become the most expensive in the entire game.

This reflects:

New content drops

Collection updates

Pack supply fluctuations

Player demand shifts

Competitive meta changes

In MLB The Show 25, market volatility is higher than ever. Building the most expensive team today might look totally different a week from now.

Is a Most-Expensive Team Worth the Stubs?

From a competitive standpoint? Not always.

From a fun standpoint? Absolutely.

This type of roster represents:

The ultimate challenge

A flex of both skill and resource management

A way to experiment with cards many players never try

A unique variation of the Diamond Dynasty experience

Plus, playing with legends like Paige, Beltrán, Clemens, and Wagner creates a nostalgic thrill.

Final Thoughts: The Joy of Building the Ultimate Stub Team

MLB The Show 25 continues to evolve, and with it, so does the marketplace meta. Creating the most expensive team possible isn’t just about winning—it's about exploring the full depth of the game’s economy and roster possibilities.

Whether you're pursuing collection monsters, buying up high-value live series cards, or scouring the market for hidden gems like Ian Happ buy MLB 25 Stubs, this challenge transforms MLB The Show 25 into a true sports-collectable simulator.

And once your luxury roster is built?

It’s time to step onto the field, fire up that Satchel Paige debut, and see if the most expensive lineup in the game can deliver a well-earned dub.