The New York Yankees held trade discussions with the Texas Rangers surrounding shortstop Corey Seager in the offseason, per The New York Post.
So why not revisit a potential deal ahead of the August 3 MLB trade deadline?
One rival scout I spoke with believes Seager would be the perfect fit for the Yankees, who need offensive help with right fielder Aaron Judge (rib stress fracture, intercostal strain) and DH Giancarlo Stanton (calf strain) sidelined indefinitely.
"It's the kind of deal that could push (the Yankees) over the hump," the scout said. "Grandfather in the contract."
"If the Rangers like (Anthony) Volpe it plays," the scout added.
The Yankees expect both Judge and Stanton to return this season. Adding Seager's left-handed bat, if healthy, into a Yankee lineup that's at full strength would give them a prolific offense.
The word is that Texas is trying to shed money. But it's unknown if they would deal their franchise player at the deadline unless they fall out of contention before August 3. Even then, they still might be inclined to hang onto Seager, a core player for Texas.
The Rangers are 49-47, but in first place in a weak American League West division with a 1.5 game lead over the Seattle Mariners.
There are a few other road blocks that could prevent a potential deal. For starters, Seager has dealt with recurring lower back inflammation this season, which currently has him on the injured list and has resulted in two separate stints on the shelf. He also had a concussion in June and is having a poor campaign at the plate, hitting .182 with a .666 OPS, 10 home runs and 25 RBI in 51 games.
Then there's Seager's massive contract. The 32-year-old is making $31.5 million in 2026 and is owed that figure annually for the next five seasons. Seager will be 38-years-old when his current 10-year, $325 million deal expires after the 2031 season.
Landing Seager could also cost a number of top prospects.
Seager has a limited no-trade clause that includes eight teams, but the Yankees are not believed to be one of them. If the Rangers hold onto Seager at the deadline it will trigger a full no-trade clause moving forward.
The Yankees would be taking a big risk by trading for Seager this season given his back issues and hefty contract. However, when he's healthy he is one of the best shortstops in all of baseball, which has been a position of issue for New York for several years.
