Major League Baseball is witnessing the emergence of a new high-profile trade candidate as the Texas Rangers reportedly consider offers for veteran shortstop Corey Seager. The team signed Seager to a massive ten-year, $325 million contract before the 2022 season, a deal that was instrumental in their 2023 World Series championship. Seager was named the MVP of that series and had a career-best regular season. However, with the Rangers facing an uncertain future, they are looking to offload the remaining five years and approximately $155 million on his deal.
The trade process will not be straightforward. Seager will be 33 years old during the 2027 campaign and experienced a decline in his batting performance last season, though he remained a plus contributor both offensively and defensively. He has also been prone to injuries throughout his twelve-year career. Over the last four seasons, he has averaged 111.5 games played, with recent issues affecting his thumb, hip, back, and both hamstrings. Given his age and medical history, such limitations are expected to persist.
Furthermore, Seager holds significant control over the transaction. While his original contract included a limited no-trade clause, he has now earned "10 and 5" rights because he has spent at least ten seasons in the majors and the last five with the same team. This grants him the ability to veto any trade to any club. Despite these hurdles, Seager remains an attractive option for contenders seeking upgrades in the left side of the infield. His quality-of-contact metrics remain strong, and his career OPS+ of 135 from shortstop is impressive. The Rangers are likely willing to absorb a portion of his salary to facilitate a deal.
The Atlanta Braves are one potential suitor. They reached the National League Division Series last year and have made the playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons. However, their shortstop position has been a weakness, with combined batting lines of .222/.280/.322 last season. Key players Mauricio Dubón and Ha-Seong Kim are now free agents, making a Seager acquisition a logical step for Atlanta.
The Boston Red Sox are another team to watch. They have Trevor Story under contract through next year with a club option for 2028, but the 34-year-old is showing signs of decline and injury trouble. Story posted an OPS+ of just 75 last season. Boston has indicated openness to an upgrade, and Seager would represent a significant improvement at the position.
A reunion with the Los Angeles Dodgers is also a possibility. Seager spent his early career in Los Angeles, and the familiarity could be appealing. The Dodgers could use an infield upgrade, potentially moving Mookie Betts to second base or having Seager play second base to reduce physical strain. Tommy Edman would return to a utility role in either scenario.
The New York Yankees have previously shown interest in Seager. With George Lombard Jr. as their primary shortstop, Seager would likely need to move to third base to make a trade work. The Yankees are looking to improve upon the performance of Ryan McMahon, and Seager’s left-handed power could be beneficial at Yankee Stadium. The Philadelphia Phillies are also candidates. Trea Turner is under contract until 2033 but is struggling defensively at shortstop. Moving Turner to the outfield and inserting Seager could help keep the team’s competitive window open, despite concerns about a left-handed heavy lineup.
Finally, the Toronto Blue Jays are a potential fit. Their offense was among the weakest in baseball last season, contributing to their drop from the 2025 heights. Seager could play shortstop or second base, allowing the team to shuffle Andrés Giménez and Ernie Clement. Clement, in particular, may be best utilized as a multi-positional player if Seager joins the roster.
