Among the group of Los Angeles Dodgers free agents, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager represent successes of the organization’s scouting, drafting and development.
Jansen was signed as an amateur free agent in 2004, Kershaw was taken seventh overall in the 2006 Draft, and the Dodgers selected Seager with the 18th pick in 2012. Now it’s possible none of the three will be with the Dodgers come the 2022 season.
There’s believed to be mutual interest amongst the free agents, but Seager is expected to have a robust market that includes the New York Yankees possibly making an aggressive bid.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers hope to re-sign Seager, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
Dodgers love Corey Seager and remain hopeful to keep him despite the presence of great fallback option Trea Turner. Have major dollars coming off books.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 10, 2021
Seager said he “absolutely” had interest in re-signing with the Dodgers when asked about the possibility following the team getting eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series.
“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,” Seager added.
Despite enduring another injury this year as he suffered a right hand fracture due to being hit by a pitch, Seager is viewed as one of the top shortstops available in free agency.
The injury cost him an opportunity at potentially earning NL MVP honors, but Seager nevertheless hit .306/.394/.521 with 22 doubles, 16 home runs and 57 RBI over 95 games this season.
Though the Dodgers will explore keeping Seager in the fold, having Trea Turner as a fallback option presumably carries some weight. That reality may prevent L.A. from entering a bidding war for Seager, but it would also place more of a premium on Turner as he is due to become a free agent after the 2022 season.
Seager to decline qualifying offer
Whether eventually signing with the Dodgers, Yankees or another club, Seager will first need to formally reject the $18.4 million qualifying offer he was extended. Players have until Wednesday, Nov. 17, to accept or decline it.
To no surprise, the 27-year-old is expected to turn down the qualifying offer. Under the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), that will require any team other than the Dodgers to forfeit a draft pick in order to sign Seager.
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