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Red Sox: Trevor Story isn’t the only free agent struggling with a new team

By Sean Penney

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on April 21, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 21: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on April 21, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – MAY 11: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers follows through on his swing for a home run against the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – MAY 11: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers follows through on his swing for a home run against the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

The Red Sox passed on locking up Corey Seager for a decade

The biggest contract handed to a free agent in this class went to Corey Seager, who signed a 10-year, $325 million deal with the Rangers. The two-time All-Star and former World Series MVP ditched the Dodgers to team up with Semien, creating a formidable middle infield combination in Texas.

While he isn’t struggling nearly as much as Semien, the results have been underwhelming for Seager. He’s on pace for career-lows, hitting .237/.302/.430. Seager is tied for 12th in the majors with seven home runs but he’s only driven in 15 RBI, which falls outside of the top-60.

Opening their checkbooks to sign two of the top hitters on the market hasn’t done much to improve the Rangers offense, which ranks 21st in the majors in runs scored and 26th with a .283 wOBA.

Unlike his floundering middle infield partner, Seager’s Statcast data provides a more encouraging outlook. His 10.5 Barrel% is down from last year but still above his career rate. Seager’s average exit velocity and Hard Hit% are similar to his career rates. His slugging percentage might be heading for a career low but his .604 expected slugging percentage is in the top-7% of the league.

He isn’t striking out at an alarming rate and he’s making strong contact. The real culprit behind Seager’s struggles is a .227 BABIP that is well below league average and over 100 points lower than his career rate.

This suggests that Seager has simply been unlucky and is due for positive regression.

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