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News, Blog and GuidesThe Texas Rangers unveiled prized recruits World Series MVP Corey Seager and All-Star Marcus Semien as they seek MLB glory.
Stats PerformUpdate: Dec 2nd, 2021 09:58 EST
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The Texas Rangers rolled out an expensive but exciting new era with mega deals for star duo Corey Seager and Marcus Semien on Wednesday.
Texas mean business heading into the 2022 MLB season after splashing out $500million to lure championship winner and World Series MVP Seager, and All-Star Semien to the franchise.
The Rangers gave free agent Seager – a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger with the Los Angeles Dodgers – a 10-year contract worth $325million.
After finishing third in the American League (AL) MVP race following his exploits for the Toronto Blue Jays, Semien signed a seven-year, $175m deal in Texas.
Seager: "There's not a bad word that you can say about Marcus"
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— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) December 1, 2021
“How can you not be excited about that?” Seager said. “Not only the elite player, but he’s an elite person who carries himself well. He’s a great team-mate. There’s not a bad word that you can say about Marcus.
“To be able to learn from somebody who’s that talented and to take little things that he does in this game that I might not and be able to bounce off each other and to be up the middle here for a long time, it’s all very exciting.”
Seager led the Dodgers to World Series glory in 2020 with a slash line of .328/.425/.746, while he was .297/.367/.504 as the Los Angeles franchise reached the National League Championship Series (NLCS) before losing to eventual winners the Atlanta Braves in 2021.
The 27-year-old shortstop finished the season with 16 homers and 54 runs on 108 hits, and 57 RBIs.
Semien enjoyed a stunning campaign for the Blue Jays, where he played all 162 games and slashed .265/.334/.538 en route to his first All-Star appearance, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards.
The 31-year-old hit 45 homers – a single-season record for a primary second baseman, to go with 102 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in Toronto.
Semien finished third in AL MVP voting, behind winner Shohei Ohtani and former Blue Jays team-mate Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
“Marcus’ reputation around the game is impeccable. He’s a leader in every clubhouse he steps into, respected for the way he goes about his work and how he treats others,” said Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels.
