Corey Seager reportedly rejected Dodgers before signing with Rangers

While the Los Angeles Dodgers were pushing hard to have All-Star shortstop Corey Seager return in 2022, it is being reported that Seager rejected a Dodgers offer long before the offseason arrived, then the Texas Rangers became “extremely aggressive” in their pursuit, eventually inking him to a 10-year, $325 million deal.

Corey Seager reportedly rejected the Los Angeles Dodgers before signing with the Texas Rangers

Now with Seager in a Texas Rangers uniform, it appears that not only were the Los Angeles Dodgers outbid for Seager, but they were also less aggressive than the Rangers when it came to moving things forward with the 27-year-old former World Series Most Valuable Player.

According to reports, Seager rejected an eight-year, $250 million contract extension from Los Angeles during spring training. That would have kept Seager from ever hitting the open market, where he was eventually snapped up by the Rangers as part of a rebuilt 2022 infield that will also include Marcus Semien, a free agent Texas signed to a seven-year, $175 million deal.

With the contract extension rejected and free agency looming, Seager went on to slash .306/.394/.521 with an OPS+ of 145 to help L.A. reach the National League Championship Series. However, Seager struggled in the postseason, slashing just .188/.264/.375 with two homers and six RBI in 12 games. Those two homers pushed Seager into a tie with Justin Turner for the most postseason home runs in Dodgers history (13). Seager, however, reached the mark in 61 playoff games while Turner needed 82.

But it wasn’t just the lesser money in the contract that may have swung the scales toward the Lone Star State. According to Dodger Talk host David Vassegh, the Rangers appeared more aggressive in their chase for Seager than the Dodgers.

“Sources close the Seager camp had indicated to me that the Rangers were being extremely aggressive in their pursuit…the Dodgers were in there as well,” he said according to this article. “Just not to the point that the Rangers eventually went to pry him away from Los Angeles.”

While sticking around Los Angeles might well have been the safe route for Seager to take, it appears that there was more than just money that eventually changed his shade of blue uniform from the Dodgers to the Rangers.