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ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers plan to spend about as much in 2027 as they did this season, when their payroll was roughly $190 million in cash and $215 million for luxury tax purposes, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Tuesday. Corey Seager is due $31 million next year, with four more seasons at the same salary after that.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young has said next season’s payroll will be comparable to this year’s. Rosenthal reported that the Rangers intend to explore trading Seager at the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas this week. Texas finished 80-82, its third straight season without a playoff appearance.
The remaining $155 million runs through 2031. Seager signed for 10 years and $325 million in December 2021, including a $5 million signing bonus. The average annual value of that deal is $32.5 million.
Seager can veto any trade under MLB’s 10-and-5 rule after five seasons with Texas and 10 in the majors.
Cash Or Contracts Could Factor Into Corey Seager Trade
Rosenthal described a Seager deal as the move that would almost certainly give Texas more payroll relief than a trade of Jacob deGrom or Nathan Eovaldi.
Rosenthal used $21 million a year as a hypothetical cost for the club acquiring Seager, with Texas covering some money or taking back a contract. He has not reported an offer at that price or identified a trade partner.
DeGrom’s salary for 2027 is $37 million, the final guaranteed year of his five-year, $185 million contract. Eovaldi’s 2027 salary is $20 million in the last season of his three-year, $75 million deal. Both pitchers hold full no-trade clauses.
Texas Rangers Have Moved Big Contracts Before
Texas paid $67 million as part of the Alex Rodriguez trade to the New York Yankees in February 2004. The New York Mets paid about $35 million of Max Scherzer’s remaining $58 million when he went to the Rangers in July 2023.
Last November, Texas sent second baseman Marcus Semien to the Mets for outfielder Brandon Nimmo. Semien had three seasons and $72 million left on the seven-year, $175 million contract he signed with Texas in December 2021. Nimmo is due $20.25 million in each season through 2030.
The Mets also sent the Rangers $5 million in the deal. Nimmo waived his full no-trade clause to approve the trade.
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