Seager has an eight-team no-trade list, which includes the shortstop-needy Atlanta Braves, taking them out of the running. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, on the other hand, are not on the list, and Grant views both AL East powerhouses as matches for the three-time All-Star.
Boston is already locked in with Trevor Story at short. While he has his struggles defensively, other Red Sox infielders are capable of sliding over to play the position like youngster Marcelo Mayer.
It’s not as settled in New York with Anthony Volpe, who reportedly dealt with a lingering injury all season and hasn’t yet lived up to his draft pedigree. Meanwhile, Jose Caballero, whom the Yankees acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays, is a backup option at the position. Given that, it’s clear that the Yankees should be all in on pursuing Seager, who would be a tremendous fit in the Bronx.
Corey Seager brings exactly what the Yankees need
While it’s understandable to have some concerns about the contract given Seager’s age and injury history, this is the type of swing general manager Brian Cashman must take with Aaron Judge coming off his third American League MVP Award.
Seager’s play has shown no signs of decline; in fact, the 31-year-old’s power numbers have only gone up while maintaining a high batting average since arriving in Texas four years ago.
The two-time World Series MVP has hit .278 while slugging 117 home runs and 303 RBI in 495 games as a Ranger, a full 162-game season pace of 38 homers and 99 RBI. Combine that with the fact that he’s one of the toughest at-bats for opposing pitchers in all of baseball, and an above-average defender, and he’s well worth any of the risk.
New York’s non-competitive plate appearances up and down the lineup were exposed during the ALDS against the Toronto Blue Jays, who showed them firsthand what they need to address this offseason: less swing and miss and better plate discipline.
Seager fits that to a tee, while also providing the pop that the Yankees are always looking for, particularly from lefties, to take advantage of the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium.
Not only that, but his ability as a leadoff hitter to get on base for the likes of Judge and Giancarlo Stanton would solve another weakness in New York, having had Trent Grisham handle that role for most of 2025, which was far from ideal.
Acquiring Seager certainly wouldn’t come without any risk, but this type of talent with such a dynamic skill set doesn’t become available too often, and with the Yankees’ sights set on a World Series, it’s a move they must pursue.