While there’s a chance the shortstop could be available this winter, it’s uncertain whether the Yankees are in a position to pursue him as aggressively as before.
The owner of the Rangers has plans for staff cuts in 2026, and depending on how severe these cuts are, it could lead to some teams parting ways with high-salary stars like Corey Seager and ace Jacob deGrom.
If Seager does become available, some are revisiting the Yankees’ interest in him, especially given Anthony Volpe’s stagnant progress over the past three seasons.
Still, the Yankees (well, Hal Steinbrenner) are close to hitting a $300 million payroll cap, and they’re also looking to sign Cody Bellinger.
Seager has six years and $189 million remaining on the hefty 10-year, $325 million deal he signed after the 2021 season with the Rangers.
“Honestly, I just believe we’re paid enough to win,” Rangers’ president of baseball operations Chris Young mentioned during a GM meeting. “We’ve built a solid core, and we don’t necessarily have to make drastic moves for salary flexibility.”
Expectations were high when Seager entered free agency in 2021 after a strong stint with the Dodgers, and many thought the Yankees would be a perfect fit given their need at shortstop and the financial flexibility they had back then.
Yet, Gleyber Torres’ stint at shortstop has come full circle, and a lesser-known player, Andrew Velasquez, even found himself starting in a chaotic game loss to the Red Sox.
Despite having Volpe, regarded as a future star at that position, the Yankees chose not to go after Seager, who then landed with the Rangers.
Fast forward a few years, and waiting for Volpe to shine hasn’t exactly worked out. He struggled during the playoffs, hitting just .222/.283/.379 with an OPS of .622, and was even booed by fans. His fielding and base running, once his strengths, now seem less impressive.
Even if the Yankees wanted to make a change, doing so wouldn’t be easy. Volpe isn’t a costly player, yet the team appears set on giving him more opportunities, much to the fans’ dismay.
With Cotto’s projected annual salary around $281 million, there’s a sense that Steinbrenner is unwilling to surpass that $300 million mark. Adding Seager’s $31.5 million would only escalate the payroll burden as Giancarlo Stanton will still be owed about $56 million over the next two years, and both Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole will command over $63 million combined in the upcoming three seasons.
For the Rangers, what they’ll ultimately do remains unclear. There’s uncertainty regarding the extent of their cuts, as trading Seager or deGrom could jeopardize their chances for success.
Interestingly, Seager has no trade restriction against the Yankees, making a potential deal not entirely out of the question.
Last season, the 31-year-old player had an impressive performance, recording a 6.2 BWAR with 21 home runs, 50 RBIs, and an .860 OPS over 102 games.
“We have confidence in our position players, but we need to see if we can enhance that lineup,” Young stated. “It’s tough to make calls on well-liked players in our core, but we have to do what’s best for the team.”
He added, “I don’t anticipate a wholesale change, but adjustments are natural in this sport. No team will return with the exact same roster, and we’re open to considering all options.”
