The Texas Rangers are reportedly looking to move on from their highest-paid position player as the club tries to navigate payroll limitations heading into the 2027 season.
President of baseball operations Chris Young is expected to explore trading shortstop Corey Seager during this week's GM meetings, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Not only does Seager possess a full no-trade clause due to attaining 10-and-5 rights, but he's owed $157.5 million over the next five years and hasn't played more than 123 games in any of the last four seasons.
Still, given the poor free-agent class and a lack of premier shortstops in the majors, Seager could appeal to a team willing to take the risk. The 32-year-old posted an OPS of .860 or higher in each season from 2023-25 and still plays above-average defense at shortstop.
Seager made three trips to the IL last season, twice with lower back inflammation and once due to a concussion. He also underwent surgery in October to clean out a bone spur in his elbow. All of those injuries likely contributed to him slashing .227/.312/.424 in 102 games, though he still managed 20 home runs and 16 doubles while producing 2.1 fWAR.
A number of high-payroll clubs including the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves enter the offseason in search of offensive help and could accommodate Seager at shortstop if needed.
