2026 Texas Rangers Shortstop Back on IL: Is It Time for Him to Be Traded?

The Texas Rangers have had a wild ride of a season, dealing with the injury bug spreading up and down the lineup, inconsistencies in the batter’s box, and pitching struggles. Even though Skip Schumaker’s squad has gone through the wringer, they’re holding on to the slightest of leads in the American League West, sitting with a record of 44-43. If the Rangers want to remain competitive in the American League and make a strong push to the playoffs, they’re most likely going to have to be buyers at the trade deadline or make moves within the organization. One looming question that heated up last year and carried into this season is the health and availability of shortstop Corey Seager. The two-time World Series Champion is currently on the 10-day injured list after suffering some back discomfort in pregame warm-ups on Wednesday before the last game of the series against the Guardians, where the Rangers lost 9-4. Should the Rangers retain their star shortstop and sit him the rest of the season so he can fully recover? Or is it time to consider trade packages for the 32-year-old World Series MVP?

One Star Doesn't Define a Franchise

Now, some fans may say, “Are you crazy? It’s Seager! Trading him away would be the mistake of the century!” Although that’s true, one player doesn’t define an organization. Take Angels outfielder Mike Trout, for example. He entered the league already being defined by his generational talent, but it hasn’t amounted to much for the Angels during his tenure with the team, and certainly not come playoff time. The same can be said for Seager and the Rangers last season and currently, where, when he’s not on the injured list, ‘Seags’ is only batting .182 on the season, with 10 home runs and 25 RBI. When the power hitter is on the field, he has all the potential in the world to be a solidified MVP candidate, but it’s not doing the Rangers any favors to take him in and out of the lineup.

A Season Defined by the Injury Report

The former 2012 first-round selection by the LA Dodgers signed a contract extension with the Rangers in December of 2021 for a 10-year, $325 million contract, hoping to keep Arlington, TX, his forever home, and potentially the team he retires with. Unfortunately, the injuries just keep on piling on for Seager. This season alone, he was placed on the IL on May 15th due to lower back inflammation, missing 19 games. Then, on June 12th, the five-time all-star was placed on the IL with a concussion sustained during a home plate collision with Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen. Lastly, he has been placed back on the IL for 10 days due to the recurrence of lower back inflammation. With the current injuries the team has suffered, including Seager’s, utility man Josh Smith has been called back up, but he needs to be kept an eye on as well, as he left the Rangers shorthanded earlier in the season due to meningitis during an offensive slump. If Smith can stay healthy, there shouldn’t be a rush to get Seager back on the field and run the risk of re-injury.

Weighing the Trade Return

While trading a household name for the Rangers sounds easier said than done, there are a couple of things to think about: the remainder of Seager’s contract and what the Rangers can get in return. The veteran all-star shortstop is in the fifth year of his contract, in which he’s getting $32.5 million a year. First, the Rangers would have to find a team willing to take on that kind of contract. Will someone take on that chunk of cap space for someone who hasn’t been fully healthy in over a year? Teams around the league would have to weigh the pros and cons of landing the superstar, but now must consider what they’d be giving up for someone with a high-risk, high-reward profile. The Rangers would obviously need a shortstop or a utility man like Smith or Ezequiel Duran, and an outfielder due to some performance issues from Evan Carter and injuries looming over Wyatt Langford this season. It would also be worth looking at a pitcher who’s proven to step up in reliever roles or a starting pitcher who can take the place of Jack Leiter while he’s out with an injury. With the trade deadline just over a month away, it’ll be interesting to see what the Rangers do with their former World Series MVP if he were to get traded, and what magic the front office can conjure to give the team the best chance to win and get back to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.