Among the several rookies the Los Angeles Dodgers have received contributions from over recent seasons, Corey Seager arrived with arguably the most fanfare. His ascension led to usurping Jimmy Rollins at shortstop late in 2015 and during the postseason.
He was included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster the next season and was a unanimous National League Rookie of the Year selection. Seager additionally is a two-time All-Star and has won a pair of Silver Slugger Awards.
His career was interrupted by Tommy John surgery last year and a subsequent hip operation. Seager had a productive 2019 campaign, though twice dealt with hamstring trouble. As the Dodgers are in the early stages of a disappointing offseason, they reportedly may pursue a trade for Francisco Lindor.
Should L.A. head down that path, Seager would be made available, either in a potential deal with the Cleveland Indians or another club, per Jon Morosi of MLB.com:
Incumbent shortstop Corey Seager would become a trade candidate — though perhaps not to Cleveland — if talks between the Dodgers and Indians gain momentum.
Lindor and Seager are considered two of sport’s top shortstops and both are under team control via salary arbitration through the 2021 season. However, Lindor’s salary for next season is projected to be over $16 million, while Seager is forecasted to earn $7 million.
Seager has a career 128 wRC+ that is higher than Lindor’s 119 wRC+, and the two are further comparable against one another defensively. For Seager it can be reasoned some of that is attributed to the Dodgers’ advanced scouting and positioning.
Where Lindor would appear to be more of a fit with the Dodgers is his approach at the plate. Seager is a .405/.410/.651 lifetime batter when swinging at the first pitch, but it’s a strategy that is in contrast to the Dodgers’ strategy and focus.
Whether or not Seager is included in a potential trade for Lindor, the Dodgers presumably would need to tap into their prospect capital to complete a deal. The organization is flush in starting pitching and the catcher position, which could be attractive for Cleveland.
Over the past few years the Dodgers and Indians are believed to have held trade talks that involved Brad Hand, Corey Kluber, Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig, among others.
With the Dodgers coming off a disappointing showing in the postseason, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman indicated he would consider an array of avenues to improve the club.
