For the first time since 2017, Corey Seager gets to start a season at full health. The Dodgers’ shortstop has experienced a myriad of devastating injuries over the last few years, so much so that Los Angeles looked outside of the organization for help. But Seager isn’t bothered that Francisco Lindor was an offseason pursuit, and he’s ready for 2020.
It didn’t bother me. Maybe surprise is a better word. You try to not look into it that much. Just prepare for the season with the team you’re with and if it happens, it happens. I tried to stay out of it as much as possible.
The Dodgers rumored attempts to land Lindor was certainly not a secret to anyone in the baseball world. Moreover, with LA kicking the tires on the Cleveland shortstop, the Cincinnati Reds came knocking and looking to acquire Corey.
The ?@Dodgers? #allstar ??@coreyseager_5? looking #lockandloaded for a great season ?@MLB? #grinder #national pastime ?@DodgerNation ?@mrsGarv? ?@livgarv6 pic.twitter.com/B7WRVwb0eD
— Steve Garvey (@SteveGarvey6) March 10, 2020
Now, after coming back from elbow and hip operations in 2018, and a hamstring injury in 2019, Seager appears ready to resume being one of the top shortstops in baseball. Thankfully, the Dodgers as of now do not have him on any sort of limit.
I actually get to prepare the way you would. I’m not on a rehab schedule. I don’t have somebody telling me I can only do this many or that many. It’s not — ‘How do I feel?’ after each swing and throw. I don’t have to ask myself, ‘Where am I at?’ — You can just do what you want. It’s not stressful.
Because of his injuries and subsequent reduced plying time, fans forget just how good Corey Seager can be. At his best, he was the Rookie of the Year and put up 5.9 wins above replacement. From 2015 to 2017, Seager had the second-highest wRC+ and wOBA of any shortstop in baseball. He also had the highest WAR of any shortstop in that period.
Defensively, Seager had the third-best UZR in the National League in that same span. To say he has become the forgotten man in a loaded Dodgers’ lineup seems strange, but it has also become true. With a healthy season in front of him, Seager is ready to remind fans what he is capable of.
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