Prior to the start of the MLB lockout, there was a flurry of free agent deals that included star shortstop Corey Seager signing a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Texas Rangers.
Although the Los Angeles Dodgers made an offer to Seager, their deal reportedly included deferrals and because of the state tax difference between California and Texas, the total value of their offer came in far below what Seager signed for.
Seager said he was impressed by the Rangers’ management and their aggressive plan, which also included signing star second baseman Marcus Semien, along with Jon Gray and Kole Calhoun, and the hopes of prying Clayton Kershaw from the Dodgers once the lockout ends.
Now, the Dodgers will need to move on without Seager, who they wanted to keep as their top choice to play shortstop and continue the pairing with Trea Turner at second base, according to Jon Heyman on the Big Time Baseball podcast:
“They really wanted to keep Seager with Turner at second. Now Turner is at shortstop. Going in, I don’t think they were looking at the other shortstops.”
While the Dodgers are expected to move forward with Turner as their starting shortstop, they have also been linked to free agent Carlos Correa. However, signing him could cause some backlash from the clubhouse and fans as Correa was heavily involved in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.
If the Dodgers do commit to Turner as their everyday shortstop and avoid signing Correa, they would be wise to begin contract negotiations in the near future as he is a free agent after the 2022 season in a very light class of available shortstops on the open market.
The Dodgers will also need to find a way to replace Seager’s bat in the lineup. L.A. has shown interest in Freddie Freeman, who would allow them to play Max Muncy at second base. Though, it is still assumed Freeman will return to Atlanta.
Turner did not bring up return to shortstop before Seager left
Turner has played shortstop for most of his career and became a star at the position, but after being acquired by the Dodgers, he was asked to move to second base.
While it is likely he will now return to his primary position, the 28-year-old did not ask the team to move him back to shortstop before Seager left, according to Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.
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