NEW YORK — The New York Yankees have entered the Corey Seager sweepstakes. And the price tag could reshape their entire roster.
Multiple reports from the MLB Winter Meetings confirmed the Bronx Bombers reached out to the Texas Rangers about acquiring the five-time All-Star. But with six years and $186 million remaining on his contract, the question facing Brian Cashman is simple. How much are the Yankees willing to sacrifice?
Rangers keeping door cracked open
Texas has not slammed the door shut on trade discussions. That is the biggest takeaway from the Winter Meetings buzz.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported that the Rangers have fielded calls from several teams. The Yankees join the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves as clubs showing interest.
“According to two people with knowledge of the conversations, several deep-pocketed teams, including the Boston Red Sox, have noted the Rangers’ financial approach to the winter and have expressed interest in Seager this offseason,” Grant wrote. “While the Rangers have noted the interest and haven’t explicitly said he’s unavailable, they haven’t engaged in deeper discussions.”
The Rangers are not motivated sellers. But they are not hanging up the phone. That nuance matters for a franchise trying to rebuild after trading Marcus Semien to the Mets and non-tendering World Series heroes Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim.
Seager’s numbers still elite
Despite injury concerns, Seager remains one of baseball’s best hitters. The 31-year-old slashed .271/.373/.487 with 21 home runs in just 102 games during 2025. He posted 4.0 WAR according to Fangraphs despite the limited action.
His four-year production in Texas has been remarkable. The Yankees would be getting a proven winner. Seager owns a .278/.355/.517 slash line with 117 home runs and 303 RBIs in Rangers colors. He finished second in 2023 AL MVP voting and won World Series MVP honors that same October.
The advanced metrics are equally impressive. Seager ranked in the 93rd percentile in average exit velocity and 95th percentile in hard-hit percentage last season. He also posted a career-high 16 Defensive Runs Saved.
His 13% walk rate in 2025 marked a career best. The left-handed bat continues producing at an elite level when healthy.
The Volpe problem
The Yankees’ shortstop situation has become a major headache. Anthony Volpe struggled through 2025 while battling a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Volpe batted just .212 with a .663 OPS over 153 games. His 19 errors tied for third most in baseball. He finished with minus-6 Outs Above Average after posting a plus-13 mark the previous season.
The 24-year-old underwent shoulder surgery in October. He will miss Opening Day and could remain sidelined until May.
Manager Aaron Boone hinted at changes before the offseason began. When asked if Jose Caballero would take some of Volpe’s reps at shortstop in 2026, Boone offered a revealing response.
“Oh yeah,” Boone said. “I feel like with Caballero, we’re in much better position there that we have like a premium guy over there that can handle the position and do things. So yeah.”
That comment signals the Yankees are exploring alternatives. Seager represents the most significant upgrade available.
The cost of doing business
Acquiring Seager would push the Yankees further into luxury tax territory. Texas still owes him $186 million over six years at $31 million annually.
But the financial commitment is only part of the equation. The Rangers would demand premium young talent in return. They need to restock their farm system.
MLB Trade Rumors noted Texas “would surely need multiple controllable young big leaguers who could help immediately if they were to even entertain the idea of a trade.”
The Red Sox reportedly have assets like shortstop Marcelo Mayer and left-hander Payton Tolle available. What can the Yankees offer?
New York’s prospect cupboard has intriguing pieces. Outfielder Spencer Jones ranks as the No. 4 prospect after crushing 35 home runs with a .933 OPS at Double-A and Triple-A last season. The 6-foot-7 slugger profiles as exactly the type of controllable talent Texas would covet.
Shortstop George Lombard Jr. leads the Yankees farm system. The 2023 first-round pick posted a 111 wRC+ at Double-A with eight home runs and 24 stolen bases. Scouts project him as a future starter. The Yankees have shown reluctance to part with him.
“Like with anybody, you try to protect and stay away to the degree you can,” Cashman said at the trade deadline. “There’s a lot of guys that we like.”
Outfielder Jasson Dominguez represents another trade chip. The former top prospect struggled with a .257 average in 2025 but his ceiling remains high.
Right-hander Elmer Rodriguez punched out 176 batters last season. Carlos Lagrange and Ben Hess add pitching depth. Can Cashman bundle enough talent to outbid Boston or Atlanta?
Seager comes with risk factors
Health remains the elephant in the room. Seager has not played more than 130 games since 2022. The Yankees would need to factor that into any deal.
His 2024 season featured hip, wrist and multiple hamstring issues. The injury history spans his entire career.
There is also a contract timing issue. Seager will reach 10 years of service time in 2026. That gives him full no-trade rights.
“If the Rangers are ever going to consider trading Seager, the window likely closes after this season,” Grant wrote.
The missed connection
The Yankees and Seager have history. Before the 2022 season, many expected Seager to land in the Bronx. The fit seemed perfect. A left-handed power bat with a track record of postseason success.
Instead, the Yankees waited for Volpe. They signed stopgap Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Seager signed his $325 million deal with Texas and led them to a championship.
The same front office that passed on Seager four years ago must decide whether to pursue him now.
The Rangers are not eager to deal their franchise cornerstone. But they are listening. For the Yankees and their desperate need to upgrade at shortstop, that might be enough to make a run.
Whether Cashman is willing to pay the price remains the biggest question of this offseason.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
