Net Worth Ranker
What Is Esteban Loaiza’s Net Worth?
Esteban Loaiza, a retired Mexican-born professional baseball player, has an estimated net worth of $5 million. This figure primarily stems from his earnings during his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, which spanned from 1995 to 2008. While a significant portion of his wealth was accumulated through his baseball salaries, endorsements also contributed to his overall net worth.
Esteban Loaiza’s Baseball Career Earnings and Contract Details
Throughout his MLB career, Esteban Loaiza earned approximately $44 million in salary alone. This substantial income was accrued over his time playing for various teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, and Los Angeles Dodgers. While specific details of individual contract amounts with each team are not fully available, his peak earning years likely coincided with his tenure with the Chicago White Sox, where he achieved All-Star status and led the American League in strikeouts in 2003.
Loaiza’s career began after being signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an undrafted free agent on March 21, 1991. He played for the Gulf Coast Pirates, a rookie-level minor league affiliate, where he started five games in 1991, recording a 5–1 record and a 2.26 ERA. Progressing through the Pirates’ farm system, he made stops at Augusta (Class A – 1992), Salem (Class A – 1993), and Carolina (Class AA – 1993-1994). He also gained experience playing for the Mexico City Red Devils of the Mexican Summer League during the 1993 season and the Mexicali Aguilas of the Liga Mexicana Del Pacifico.
His major league debut occurred on April 29, 1995, with the Pirates against the Philadelphia Phillies. In his rookie season, he posted an 8–9 record with a 5.16 ERA in 31 starts. He began the 1996 season with the Triple-A Calgary Cannons before being recalled to the majors that June. On July 17, 1998, the Pirates traded him to the Texas Rangers for Todd Van Poppel and Warren Morris.
Loaiza’s tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays lasted from 2000 to 2002. He had a career-best season in 2003 with the Chicago White Sox, leading the AL in strikeouts with 207 and finishing runner-up in wins with 21. He also earned his first All-Star selection and came in second in Cy Young Award voting behind Roy Halladay.
During his second season with the White Sox in 2004, he received another All-Star selection. In late July 2004, he was traded to the New York Yankees. His performance with the Yankees did not match his success with the White Sox, and he was moved to the bullpen for the final month of the regular season due to an 8.46 ERA across six August starts. He made two relief appearances in the ALCS during the Yankees’ loss to the Boston Red Sox.
As a free agent, Loaiza signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals in early 2005, posting a 12-10 record with a 3.77 ERA across 34 starts. He then signed a three-year contract with the Oakland Athletics. His start with the Athletics was challenging, with an 0-3 record in April, an 8.35 ERA, and a placement on the disabled list in early May due to injury. He returned in June and pitched his first complete game in over two years in a 10-4 win against the San Francisco Giants.
Loaiza was again placed on the disabled list at the start of the 2007 season and left the team a week after being moved back to the active roster in August. The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed him off waivers and bought the remainder of his contract. Despite an impressive debut, injuries hampered his performance for the rest of the season. Although recovered for the 2008 season, he performed poorly and was released by the Dodgers in May.
Loaiza returned to the White Sox in June 2008 on a one-year contract but was released in late July after three relief appearances and six weeks on the disabled list. He subsequently retired from MLB playing, finishing his career with a 126-114 record, 1,382 strikeouts, and a 4.65 ERA.
Legal Troubles and Impact on Esteban Loaiza’s Net Worth
Esteban Loaiza’s net worth has likely been affected by his legal troubles, particularly his arrest in February 2018 on suspicion of drug trafficking. He was found with nearly 50 pounds of cocaine and heroin, allegedly intended for transportation and sale. This led to a three-year federal prison sentence, which he began serving in March 2019. Upon his release in August 2021, he was deported to Mexico. The legal fees, potential forfeiture of assets, and the impact on future earning potential could have significantly diminished his overall net worth.
In June 2006, Loaiza was pulled over by police for driving his Ferrari at 120 mph on a California freeway near San Lorenzo. He failed a sobriety test and appeared in court on July 14, 2006. After the incident, Athletics’ GM Billy Beane banned alcohol in both the home and visitor clubhouse, citing liability issues.
Personal Life and Marital History
Loaiza married singer Jenni Rivera in 2010, making several appearances on her family’s reality television series “I Love Jenni.” They filed for divorce in 2012, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce papers were filed on October 1, 2012. Rivera died three months later, on December 9, 2012, in a plane crash before the divorce was finalized. Details of any settlements or asset divisions related to the divorce are not publicly available.
Summary of Esteban Loaiza’s Net Worth
In conclusion, Esteban Loaiza’s estimated net worth of $5 million reflects his career earnings as a professional baseball player, offset by potential losses due to legal issues. His $44 million in career salary, combined with endorsements, contributed to his wealth, while his legal troubles, including a drug trafficking conviction, have likely impacted his overall financial standing.
