After a historic postseason in which he earned MVP honors for the National League Championship Series and World Series, Corey Seager is entering his final year of control with the Los Angeles Dodgers before potentially becoming a free agent at the end of the 2021 season.
Seager is one of several premier shortstops that could reach the open market this winter, along with Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa and Trevor Story.
While the Dodgers hope to retain Seager beyond the 2021 season, he undoubtedly will have many suitors in free agency, being just 26 years old and one of the top sluggers at his position.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers are among the teams that could pursue Seager or another top free-agent shortstop this offseason:
Teams seen as likely to become big players for star SS Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa and/or Javier Baez should they become free agents after the season include the Rangers, Giants and Phillies, as I just said on @MLBNetwork
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 10, 2021
The Phillies appear set at shortstop in the short-term, having just signed Didi Gregorious to a two-year contract through the 2022 season. However, teams have shown they will jump at the opportunity to add an elite player, even if it means creating a roster crunch.
The Giants are an interesting fit, considering president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has ties to Seager going back to his days as Dodgers general manager.
Moreover, current starter Brandon Crawford is set to become a free agent after the 2021 season, so San Francisco could definitely be in the mix to sign one of the top shortstops this winter.
As for the Rangers, their projected starter at shortstop, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, is under team control through the 2024 season. Though, he profiles as more of a utility player and could move to a different position if it means creating room for a top shortstop.
Seager won’t discuss or be distracted by free agency
Looking to keep the focus on the 2021 season, Seager 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 when recently 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.”
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