Why Rangers 'last call' to trade Corey Seager is at 2026 MLB trade deadline

The Texas Rangers are right behind the Seattle Mariners for the AL West division lead, so it would be well within reason to expect them to be trade deadline buyers this season.

However, it's also possible that the rest of July goes terribly wrong, and the Rangers sell. But, regardless of what path the Rangers take, the August 3, 2026, MLB trade deadline represents a big deadline for the Rangers.

As Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report, the 2026 deadline is likely the Rangers' last chance to trade away Corey Seager. He's been in trade rumors before, and if the Rangers ever want to move him, they have until August 3 to make that choice.

Why 2026 MLB trade deadline is last call to trade Corey Seager for Rangers

"When it comes to the possibility of the Texas Rangers trading shortstop Corey Seager, the deadline represents something of a last call," Sammon and Rosenthal write.

Why is the 2026 trade deadline the last real chance the Rangers will have at trading Seager? The reason is simple: Seager's no-trade clause.

"Once the season ends," Sammon and Rosenthal write, "Seager will gain the right to veto any deal as a player with 10 years of major-league service, five consecutive with the same club."

Seager has been with the Rangers since the 2022 season, and he's made three All-Stars, helped the Rangers win a World Series, and been one of the most productive players in the big leagues during that time.

He has an .854 OPS and 23.3 bWAR with the Rangers to go with 127 homers and an MVP-runner-up from the 2023 season. He's been one of the best players in baseball for the last half-decade.

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However, once the 2026 season is up, the Rangers won't be able to trade him away without getting his permission for a deal.

Considering they've entertained trade calls on him before, it might not be out of the question to see a deal this summer.

Seager is under contract through the 2031 season on a 10-year, $325 million deal. That's a lot of money to take on, but a club like the Atlanta Braves might be willing to do so this summer if they pay the large asking price the Rangers will set.

While the Rangers can still trade Seager after the 2026 season, with this no-trade clause coming into play after this year comes to a close, the only chance the Rangers can trade Seager without his input on a deal is this summer.

So, the Rangers effectively have until August 3, 2026, to trade Seager. If he's on the roster beyond the trade deadline, he's likely staying in Texas for a while longer.

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