Striking while the iron is hot, in a free agent market that’s very top-heavy, while Seager is still considered in his prime, may be in Texas’ best interest. As previously mentioned, they can dictate where, and for what, Seager goes.
No Shortage of Suitors
The Red Sox aren’t the only team coveting middle-of-the-order help this winter. Across baseball, you’ve got teams like the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Pittsburgh Pirates seeking stars. Even a team like, *cough cough* the Los Angeles Dodgers *cough cough* could benefit from improving its infield.
Given the uncertainty surrounding his development in MLB, and recovering from injury, it wouldn’t come as a shock if the New York Yankees looked to upgrade from Anthony Volpe either. They have George Lombard Jr. (Just Baseball’s No. 1 Yankees prospect) but he’s in Double-A. By the time he’s big-league ready, the organization’s decision regarding Jazz Chisholm Jr. will’ve been made.
There are several routes the Rangers can take in their respective asks, but there’d almost certainly be a bidding war.
Cons
There are Cleaner Ways to Shed Payroll
As teams’ resources grow every year, it seems increasingly easier to develop pitching than hitting. As it stands, the Rangers already have a deep rotation with zero offseason additions.
But at the top of the rotation rests 37-year-old Jacob deGrom. The right-hander made 30 starts for the first time since 2019, posting a 2.97 ERA, a 3.32 SIERA, and a 22.1% strikeout-to-walk rate. He’s still a quality arm that can anchor a strong pitching staff.