NEW YORK — The Yankees and Texas Rangers have discussed Corey Seager as New York explores an unconventional answer at third base. The conversations came to light Wednesday during the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, with Texas willing to listen on expensive veterans.
The Yankees have not disclosed a trade offer, and the extent of their interest remains unclear. Seager, a two-time World Series MVP, would bring an accomplished left-handed bat to a lineup searching for a more reliable postseason offense.
Acquiring him would require more than agreeing on prospects. Seager controls his trade destination, has five expensive seasons left on his contract and has not committed to switching from shortstop to third base.
One connection, however, could make New York a more familiar destination: the friendship linking Seager, Cody Bellinger and their families from their years together in Los Angeles.
Yankees and Rangers have discussed Corey Seager
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman said the Yankees and Rangers have had dialogue about Seager. He did not establish which club initiated contact, whether an offer was made or how far the conversations progressed.
Texas began exploring the market for Seager as the club weighed its payroll and roster options. A potential Yankees fit involves moving Seager to third base, though the possibility remains an idea rather than an agreed position change.
The potential plan involves Seager at third base and George Lombard Jr. remaining at shortstop. Ryan McMahon is under contract for 2027, creating another question about how New York would open a starting spot.
Seager hit .227 with a .736 OPS, 20 home runs and 51 RBIs in 102 games in 2026. His injury-limited season included back problems, followed by surgery to remove an elbow bone spur after the regular season. He was also limited to 102 games in 2025.
What a $30 million Texas contribution would actually change
Seager’s contract calls for $31.5 million annually in cash salary from 2027 through 2031, or $157.5 million across those five seasons. Reports describing approximately $155 million remaining use a different rounded accounting figure. Either way, the obligation is substantial for a Yankees payroll already carrying major guarantees.
One proposed financial scenario has Texas contributing $30 million toward the balance. Spread evenly over five years, that would reduce New York’s effective cash cost to $25.5 million per season. It is a hypothetical construction, not a reported Rangers offer.
The Yankees could also create salary room by moving McMahon’s $16 million for 2027 and Anthony Volpe, whose projected arbitration salary is roughly $4 million. Both players would have to be moved in actual transactions for those savings to count. Salary subtraction alone does not establish what Texas would accept in return.
The same calculation cannot treat Giancarlo Stanton’s 2028 option as money already removed from the books. Stanton is due $25 million in 2027 and has a $25 million club option for 2028 with a $10 million buyout. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón remain under contract through 2028.
Pros and cons of adding Corey Seager to the Yankees
The appeal is Seager’s championship résume and power from the left side. The Yankees could strengthen third base without asking George Lombard Jr. to carry the entire offensive burden. Seager’s hands and arm also give the club a reason to consider a position change.
The risks are substantial. He hit .227 with a .736 OPS across 102 games in 2026 and played only 102 games in 2025 as well. Injuries, age and a costly five-year commitment would magnify the consequences of another shortened season.
Cody Bellinger’s family connection offers Yankees an unusual advantage
The hidden advantage is Cody Bellinger, Seager’s former Dodgers teammate. They played together from 2017 through 2021 and were part of Los Angeles’ 2020 World Series championship team. Bellinger now gives the Yankees an established link to the player they are reportedly discussing with Texas.
Their families have remained connected. Chase Bellinger and Madisyn Seager have maintained a friendship since the Dodgers years, including public social-media interactions after the two players joined different clubs. Chase commented on Madisyn’s family photographs this year, another visible sign that the relationship continued.
The players also shared off-field celebrations during their Los Angeles years, including Bellinger’s birthday gathering in 2017. The familiarity could make a new clubhouse easier to envision for Seager, although there is no public indication that Bellinger has recruited him to New York or that Seager has agreed to waive his trade protection.
The Yankees signed Bellinger to a five-year deal before the 2026 season. His presence could carry value beyond lineup construction if New York progresses from exploratory talks to a serious offer.
Seager controls the next step despite the Yankees’ potential opening
The greatest obstacle may be Seager’s authority over his destination. He has 10-and-5 rights after spending at least 10 seasons in the majors and five consecutive seasons with Texas. Those rights allow him to reject a proposed trade, regardless of the compensation negotiated between clubs.
But his family ties with Bellinger hands the Yankees an advantage to influence his trade decision.
Texas president of baseball operations Chris Young has said the Rangers will listen to ideas that could improve their roster, rather than commit to trading one particular star. Seager’s history as a two-time World Series MVP still gives the club reason to demand meaningful value.
A move to third base would be a second decision requiring Seager’s cooperation. He has played shortstop throughout his big league career, and no agreement to switch positions has been announced.
The Yankees have entered the conversation, but Texas has not agreed to a package or salary contribution. Seager has not approved a move or a switch to third base. Those are the central decisions still separating exploratory dialogue from a trade.
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