Dodgers Set to Face Corey Seager For First Time Since He Passed on Contract Offer

Seager Smooth faces the Dodgers for the first time in his career.

The Dodgers open a three game series in Texas today and it comes with a few notable things to watch. First, it's the first time that the club has been at the Rangers' ballpark since winning the World Series in 2020. That in and of itself came with a series of emotions recollected to LA Times beat writer Jack Harris and summarized here.

This series is also the first time the Dodgers will face old friend and former shortstop Corey Season since he left LA in the dust for a massive $325 million deal with the Texas Rangers after the 2021 season.

According to reports, LA's offer that winder was under but near the $300 million range.

In his time away from the Dodgers, Seags has done what he's always done... hit at an elite clip. This season, the American League's starting shortstop has a career-high .346 batting average with 15 home runs and a 1.024 OPS, second-best in baseball behind only Shohei Ohtani.

His first season with the Rangers saw some struggle (.772 OPS in 151 games) but he also connected on a career-high 33 home runs.

Seager got a sort of homecoming last season when the All-Star game was played at Dodger Stadium, but this time he faces old friends for real.

It's sure to be somewhat awkward. Corey hates doing any media but will be asked to meet with LA reporters in some capacity. Whether he obliges is up in the air. Still, beyond hearing his calculated words, seeing the smiles and hugs from the reunion should be enough to hold fans over.

Tony Gonsolin faces another old friend in Andrew Heaney in game one of the series. First pitch is at 5:05 PM PT on SportsNet LA.