Corey Seager trade rumors heat up with Phillies as top suitor

The Texas Rangers could be preparing for a major roster shakeup this offseason.

Some of their biggest stars could be involved in trade discussions.

Corey Seager, Jacob deGrom, and Nathan Eovaldi are all potential trade candidates as Texas looks for ways to reshape its roster and manage its payroll.

According to recent reporting from Ken Rosenthal and other MLB insiders, the Rangers could explore moving some of their most expensive players.

However, finding a suitable trade partner won't be easy.

All three veterans have no-trade protection.

Seager would likely be the most difficult contract to move.

The shortstop is owed more than $150 million over the remaining years of his contract.

Injuries have become a concern throughout his time in Texas.

He missed considerable time during the 2026 season.

His power remains an appealing part of his game.

At 32 years old, he could still provide plenty of value to a team looking for an offensive upgrade at shortstop.

deGrom and Eovaldi present different situations.

Both pitchers are getting older and have dealt with injuries.

They remain talented arms capable of strengthening a contender's rotation.

deGrom is owed $37 million in 2027.

Eovaldi is entering the final year of his contract.

The Rangers would have to find teams willing to take on those financial commitments while also getting approval from the players involved.

deGrom previously exercised his no-trade clause to block a potential move to Atlanta.

That move showed just how complicated these discussions could become.

Texas has some difficult decisions ahead.

This is especially true if it wants to reshape its roster without sacrificing its ability to compete.

Moving one of these veterans could create financial flexibility.

Finding the right deal will be the biggest challenge.

THE PAYROLL PROBLEM

The Rangers' financial situation is the engine driving these rumors.

President Chris Young told the Dallas Morning News this week that the team will have a "very similar" payroll in 2027 to what they had in 2026.

Texas is coming off an 80-82 finish this year.

The team has plenty of areas at which it needs to improve.

As things stand, they only have about $20 million to spend before they hit last year's payroll number.

That math simply doesn't add up.

Something has to give.

The most obvious solution is to get out from under Seager's contract.

That deal still has five years and over $150 million remaining.

SEAGER'S NO-TRADE PROTECTION

When Seager signed with Texas a few years ago, the team gave him an eight-team no-trade list.

We still don't know most of the members of that list.

Thanks to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, we know at least one: the Atlanta Braves.

That is a real shame for Atlanta.

Few teams find themselves in more need of an upgrade at shortstop.

Atlanta figured to have some money available as homegrown stars like Ozzie Albies and potentially Ronald Acuña Jr. move on.

But somehow, it gets worse for Rangers brass.

Because Seager has now earned 10-and-5 rights — having spent 10 years in the Majors, at least five of them with one team — his no-trade list has now become a full no-trade clause.

Any Seager trade requires him signing off on it.

This adds one more obstacle to a situation already full of them.

THE PHILLIES CONNECTION

The Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as a top suitor in these discussions.

Multiple reports have named the Phillies as a leading landing spot for Seager.

The Phillies have a clear need on the left side of the infield.

They have the financial resources to take on a large contract.

Thanks to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, we know that the New York Yankees weren't on Seager's original no-trade list.

The Yankees could certainly use the help at third base.

But the Phillies appear to be the team most frequently linked to Seager in current trade rumors.

OTHER POTENTIAL SUITORS

Beyond the Phillies, several other teams could make sense.

The FanSided report identified six potential suitors beyond Atlanta.

The Yankees were mentioned as a possibility since we know Seager did not block them.

The San Diego Padres have also been aggressive in recent years.

Any team that pursues Seager will have to navigate his full no-trade clause.

They will also need to take on a significant financial commitment.

THE DEGROM SITUATION

Jacob deGrom's situation adds another layer to the Rangers' offseason.

He is owed $37 million in 2027.

He previously blocked a trade to the Atlanta Braves by exercising his no-trade clause.

That move demonstrated how much control players have in these situations.

deGrom remains a talented pitcher when healthy.

His injury history makes any trade complicated.

A contender looking for rotation help could still find value in him.