What We “Seag” We Shall Find: Corey Seager to the Detroit Tigers?

Adjusting the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson above, I continue the trend of “Contender November” and present to you another free agent option for the Detroit Tigers – Corey Seager.

Carlos Correa is someone I’ve pined for the club to sign. Pun intended. My name is Pines. Moving on. However, if the now-former Astros shortstop decides to return to Houston or play somewhere other than for the Detroit Tigers,  there are other options for Detroit’s front office to consider.

Who is Corey Seager?

Playing in Los Angeles the last seven seasons as a member of the Dodgers, Seager has put together a respectable career to this point.

The Charlotte, North Carolina native has a resume that includes a 2020 World Series title, as well as the Most Valuable Player award from said series, National League Championship Series MVP, two All-Star appearances, and the 2016 National League Rookie of the Year.

This offseason Seager has major competition for premier free agent dollars at the shortstop position. He’s up against Correa, Javier Baez, Marcus Semien (who could also play second base), and Trevor Story.

So what does Seager bring to the table that makes him unique to the group? For starters, he’s the only left-handed hitter of the five. One would think a team like the Yankees who covet left-handed-hitting stars will surely be in on the Seager race.

Of the five players listed above, Seager has the highest career OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) at .870, as well as the highest career batting average at .297.

When it comes to fielding baseball, Seager has a career fielding percentage of .969 at shortstop, falling behind Correa and Story.

Is Motown the right fit?

All that being said, how would he fit in on the 2022 Tigers team?

For starters, he’d be the huge free agent superstar acquisition that has been talked about for some time now amongst the fans and front office alike in an effort to compete following a lengthy rebuild. He’d sure up the heart of the order, providing protection for other members of the lineup like Miguel Cabrera and Jonathan Schoop. He could also bat between those two right-handed batters breaking up the consecutive righties in the lineup. Seager has smacked at least 40 doubles twice in his career, and in the spacious Comerica Park, he would seemingly be able to acquire a few more 40 double seasons.

The Case Against?

The unfortunate bit of business and what might be the biggest sway away from signing Corey Seager to a long-term, the big-money deal is his recent injury history. In 2021 Seager spent time on the 60-day injured list with a hand injury, and spent time in 2019 and 2020 on and off the IL with various ailments to a variety of body parts including his back, leg, and hip. Not to mention he missed most of 2018 with a right UCL sprain.

The Cost of Acquiring Seager

All in all, Seager is coming off a great 2021 campaign. Limited to 95 games, Seager hit .306 with 16 home runs and 51 runs batted in. He also had a whopping .915 OPS. This will surely lead to a large contract both in terms of years and salary. Prior to the season, he was projected to earn at least $200 million, and that surely hasn’t changed.

Corey Seager would be a great fit for the Detroit Tigers at the right price. Whether he dons the Old English D at the same position as all-time Tigers great Alan Trammell, we shall find out in the coming months. Although the spelling of their last names is different, could he be the greatest “Seger” in Detroit since Bob? I do know they already have one thing they have in common. Those Hollywood nights.