Corey Seager is considered one of the top free agents available, and thus far has most prominently been connected to the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers.
Seager of course was drafted by the Dodgers and to this point has spent his entire career with them. “I grew up here, I’ve spent a lot of time here, I believe in what these guys do, I believe in how we go about it,” he said after Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.
Seager added he “absolutely” had interest in re-signing with the Dodgers. Scott Boras told media during the general managers meetings that he looked forward to having those discussions with L.A.
Boras also addressed the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that’s set to expire at 8:59 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Dec. 1, and indications are MLB and the Players Association aren’t close to reaching a new deal.
That factor could lead to Seager signing before the CBA expires, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
The fallout is a sense that Corey Seager, the magnificent Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop, and Marcus Semien, the dynamic Toronto infielder, are increasingly likely to sign before Dec. 1, executives interested in the players told ESPN
Heading into the offseason, the expectation was several free agents would elect to wait for a new CBA to be in place prior to signing respective contracts. That figured to hold particularly true for marquee free agents who would have interest from teams even if the calendar reached January or February.
Seager has been projected to receive a contract upwards of 10 years and in excess of $300 million. That potentially would be out of the Dodgers’ comfort zone as they face a need in their starting rotation and are said to be interested in re-signing Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers reportedly have some level of hope they will manage to retain the 2020 National League Championship and World Series MVP.
Seager declining qualifying offer
A decision has not yet been made official, but Seager is expected to reject the $18.4 million qualifying offer he was extended by the Dodgers.
Players have until Wednesday, Nov. 17, to formally accept or decline the one-year pact. If Seager does reject it and signs with another club, his new team would forfeit a draft pick and the Dodgers would receive one after the fourth round as compensation, barring changes to the system in a new CBA.
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