The 2026 Major League Baseball General Manager Meetings have wrapped up after the annual event took place in Las Vegas from Tuesday through Thursday. The urgency was different this season, as all 30 MLB clubs are preparing for an impending lockout. 

As it stands, the owners and the MLB Players' Association are not close to agreeing on terms for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the current one expires on Dec. 1. 

Even with that in mind, each franchise must chart a path forward. For the Texas Rangers, it is all about figuring out how to become a contender again.

For the third year in a row, the Rangers failed to post a winning record and also missed out on the playoffs in what was an incredibly attainable American League West Division in 2026. 

Texas has not been the same since it won its first World Series in 2023, and it has become evident that certain key contributors to the World Series-winning club are reaching the end of their tenure with the organization. 

The most glaring example of this concerns shortstop Corey Seager, who is coming off an injury-riddled and unproductive season. According to ESPN MLB Insider Alden Gonzalez, who was reporting from the meetings, Seager's future remains the biggest unknown.

Since a dominant 2023 season that culminated in him winning his second World Series MVP, Seager has not quite been the same. Last season provided the most evidence of his decline. 

In 2026, Seager was limited to 102 games for the second consecutive year due to injury, and his batting average fell to a career-low .227, while his on-base percentage (.312), slugging percentage (.424) and OPS (.736) also reached career lows.

As the MLB Trade Deadline was getting closer, rumors were swirling about whether or not the Rangers would move Seager. However, they are handicapped by the $155 million they owe him over the next five seasons and his no-trade clause. 

As Gonzalez reported, Texas is going to have a very difficult time finding a team willing to adopt his contract. Therefore, if and/or when the Rangers move him, they are likely to be operating at a loss in the transaction.

The nature of Seager's contract also hurts Texas when considering the potential implementation of a salary cap, which has proven to be the biggest holdup in negotiations between the owners and the MLBPA. 

Gonzalez noted that high-payroll teams will be wary of taking on Seager's deal when new restrictions will be in place. Moreover, Seager's 10-5 rights allow him to block any trade. 

As it stands, the 32-year-old is in control of his destiny. While he demonstrated flashes of what he could be at times in 2026, it is evident that he is no longer the same player who earned a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Rangers in 2021.

Yet he is still being compensated at that level, and it is coming at a great expense to a team that has been below average since winning it all.