The Rangers are doing their best in the free agency market this offseason.
Texas has struck a deal with former Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, one of the most prominent free agents available. The Rangers will now feature a midfield duo of Seager and Marcus Semien after they signed the latter to a seven-year, $ 175 million deal on Sunday. In addition to the midfielder pair, Texas also signed right-hander Jon Gray to a four-year, $ 56 million deal.
Seager was instrumental to the Dodgers, winning the World Series MVP in 2020 when the team finally won it all. He was one of the best hitters on the team this season, cutting .306 / .394 / .521 with 16 home runs. In 636 career games with Los Angeles, he has a .297 / .367 / .521 slash line with 104 home runs.
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Here are the details on how much you will earn in Texas:
Corey Seager contract details
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports Seager will receive $ 325 million in his 10-year contract.
Unlike other mega deals in the past, there are no opt-out options in his contract: Barring one trade, Seager will remain in the Rangers uniform for the next 10 years. according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Additionally, Seager will also receive a $ 5 million signing bonus and a limited no-trade clause in his contract. according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Even without the opt-out of the 27-year-old Seager, having a guaranteed 10 years until his 37-year stint is enough time to make a lot of money. He will make an average of $ 32.5 million per year, far more than some of the other massive contracts handed out to free agents in the past.
MORE: MLB Free Agency Tracker
While it’s a blow for the Dodgers not to be able to keep him, they likely have an uphill battle to match that kind of return. As former MLB executive and current Fangraphs writer Kevin Goldstein noted, the difference in state taxes between California and Texas already prepared the two sides for a bigger split in what could be offered:
When it comes down to these giant numbers, state taxes – or a lack of them – can make a big difference. The Dodgers could have offered more than $ 350 million and it would still be less money in Seager’s pockets.
– Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) November 29, 2023
The biggest free agent contracts
There have been some big contracts signed by players in free agency over the past two years, but few can compare to Seager’s contract.
Here are the largest free agent contracts signed in MLB history (not including extensions).
Player | Team | First year | Years | Value |
Bryce harper | Phillies | 2019 | 13 | $ 330 million |
Corey seager | Forest ranger | 2022 | 10 | $ 325 million |
Gerrit cole | Yankees | 2020 | 9 | $ 324 million |
Manny machado | Parents | 2019 | 10 | $ 300 million |
Alex Rodriguez | Yankees | 2008 | 10 | $ 275 million |
Alex Rodriguez | Forest ranger | 2001 | 10 | $ 252 million |
Anthony Rendon | Angels | 2020 | 7 | $ 245 million |
Stephen strasburg | Nationals | 2020 | 7 | $ 245 million |
Albert pujols | Angels | 2012 | 10 | $ 240 million |
Robinson Cano | Sailors | 2014 | 10 | $ 240 million |
Seager’s deal is already the second-largest free agent contract in total value in MLB history. Among shortstops, he is paid among the biggest names. The Mets extended Francisco Lindor to a 10-year, $ 341 million contract, while the Padres locked up Fernando Tatis Jr. long-term with a 14-year, $ 340 million extension.
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Corey Seager’s Professional Income
This is the first big problem of Seager’s career. He previously received his money through arbitration with the Dodgers, and his biggest year was last season – he was paid $ 13.7 million, according to Spotrac. In total, Seager has earned $ 24.69 million in his career, according to Spotrac.
However, this is not the first big problem in your family. His brother, Kyle Seager, signed a seven-year, $ 100 million extension with the Mariners in 2014. According to ESPN Stats & Info, they are the first two brothers to sign separate $ 100 million deals.
The Rangers are the first team to commit $ 500 million to two or fewer players in a single offseason.
The Seagers also became the first brothers to sign $ 100 million deals in their MLB careers. https://t.co/YT0MoMPWak pic.twitter.com/tr3cVA6SjN
– ESPN statistics and information (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 29, 2023