The Yankees are doing what the Yankees do – staying aggressive and keeping their name in just about every major conversation this offseason. Whether it’s free agency or the trade market, New York is clearly hunting for ways to upgrade a roster that’s still chasing consistency and October success.
One name that briefly hit their radar? Corey Seager.
According to reports, the Yankees reached out to the Texas Rangers to gauge the All-Star shortstop’s availability. But if they were hoping to catch the defending champs in a moment of flexibility, they were quickly shut down.
At the Winter Meetings, Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young didn’t mince words: Seager isn’t going anywhere.
“Every team is looking for great players,” Young said. “But we are not motivated to move Corey Seager.”
And honestly, why would they be? Seager was a cornerstone of Texas’ success again in 2025, even while battling injuries.
In just 102 games, he slashed .271/.373/.487 with 21 homers, 50 RBIs, and a 151 OPS+. Those are elite numbers – especially for a shortstop – and they speak to just how impactful Seager remains when he’s on the field.
With that kind of production, Texas isn’t just holding onto him – they’re building around him.
Still, the Yankees’ interest makes sense. With Anthony Volpe undergoing labrum surgery and his long-term outlook suddenly a bit murky, New York has to consider its options at shortstop. Volpe had a rocky 2025 season, and while he’s still young and full of potential, the Yankees can’t afford to wait and hope.
As things stand, Jose Caballero is penciled in as the Opening Day shortstop. He’s a solid defender and brings some energy, but he’s not the kind of bat that changes the trajectory of a season. Seager would’ve been exactly that – a middle-of-the-order presence to complement Aaron Judge and, potentially, Cody Bellinger, depending on how that situation plays out.
There was also some buzz around the Yankees having interest in Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte – another dynamic, All-Star-caliber infielder. But there’s a roadblock there too: New York is one of five teams on Marte’s no-trade list. So unless something changes, that door appears closed as well.
Bottom line: the Yankees are clearly looking to make a splash, but they’re running into some resistance. Whether it’s teams unwilling to part with stars or players with no-trade protections, the path to upgrading the infield isn’t simple.
But this is the Yankees – they don’t sit still for long. Expect them to keep pushing, because they know as well as anyone: standing pat isn’t going to cut it in the AL East.
