DETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 17: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers looks on in the dugout during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on April 17, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

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The New York Yankees seem to be exploring some peripheral changes to the roster this winter after a 94-win season that earned them a playoff berth.

Coming off of that regular season success, the team might feel like it only needs a few tweaks to contend for a World Series championship next year. But minor changes are unlikely to satiate many Yankees fans, who point to the team’s 16-year title drought as unacceptable.

So, for a franchise that has rarely been shy about executing dramatic star additions, perhaps more than some roster tweaks could be in store this offseason. And the team might suddenly have a new trade candidate on its big board after news surfaced that a rival’s superstar shortstop has a contract detail that would allow for a move to the Bronx.

“In the event that (Texas Rangers owner Ray) Davis demands a deeper cut, it would all but force the Rangers to trade Corey Seager ($32.5 million) or Jacob DeGrom ($37 million),” Evan Grant wrote for The Dallas Morning News. “There may be a larger market for Seager, who has only limited no-trade protection and could not veto a deal to the Yankees or (Boston) Red Sox.”

Seager is owed $32.5 million after the luxury tax next season and for five seasons following it after signing a 10-year, $325 million deal with the Rangers.

The additional contract detail that Seager is not able to veto a trade to the Yankees might seem minor, but the update has been enough to generate some speculation that the team could pursue him. Grant added that the Yankees could interest the Rangers with a package including Anthony Volpe, either Austin Wells or Ben Rice and a pitcher.

The link motivated Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer to predict the Yankees would indeed add Seager in a trade this offseason. But others have noted that it would be difficult for the team to carry his salary on stretched payroll.

“Adding Seager’s $31.5 million would add another hefty contract to the books at a time when the Yankees still have Giancarlo Stanton for at least two more years for $56 million, with Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole also being paid more than $63 million combined for the next three seasons,” Matt Ehalt noted for the New York Post.

However, if the Yankees are willing to take on some more salary to answer fan calls for an aggressive offseason, Seager could make a significant difference.

The team seems to be in need of an infield upgrade with Volpe regressing and expected to miss some time next season after undergoing surgery.