The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to embark on what they hope is another World Series run, with the majority of their championship core returning from last season.
Among that group is Corey Seager, who enjoyed a historic postseason performance en route to earning MVP honors in the National League Championship Series and World Series.
The 26-year-old is entering his final year of team control with the Dodgers before potentially becoming a free agent at the end of the 2021 season.
The expectation all along was that Seager would reach free agency and test the open market, joining a historic class that could potentially include Javier Baez, Carlos Correa and Trevor Story. Francisco Lindor was part of that group, but he came to terms with the New York Mets.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, each of the aforementioned names is expected to enter the regular season without a contract extension as the Dodgers didn’t make progress in their attempt to reach an agreement with Seager:
Like Story, Baez and Correa, Corey Seager will enter the season without an extension. Dodgers made an effort on Seager, who they’d like to extend. But like the others, he will remain free agent eligible. Lindor remains the lone superstar SS in serious negotiation.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 30, 2021
Looking to keep the focus on the 2021 season, Seager previously made clear he won’t discuss or be distracted by his upcoming free agency.
“I don’t really want to talk about that, to be honest,” he responded this spring when asked if there had been contract extension negotiations with the Dodgers or if that was something he was interested in taking place.
“That’s not the focus at all. The focus is right now. We’ve preached for a long time that it’s day to day. We’re showing up and we’re doing everything we can to be ready today. Once games start, try to win a game that day. There’s no other thinking.”
Giants, Phillies among teams reportedly interested in Seager
With Seager likely headed for free agency, a few potential suitors have emerged, including the San Francisco Giants. The reported interest is significant considering president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has ties to Seager going back to his days as Dodgers general manager.
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