With days to go until the collective bargaining agreement expires, the first domino has fallen on the crowded, talented shortstop market. But it’s not Carlos Correa or Corey Seager: It’s Marcus Semien, who has reportedly signed a seven-year, $175 million contract with the Texas Rangers. It’s a blockbuster deal for a club that hopes to start contending soon. It’s also a higher-than-expected number for Semien—which might hint at what the other top shortstops on the market will be getting. Here’s the breakdown of how it matters around the game:
What This Means for Semien
The infielder is a notable talent who was all but guaranteed to receive a significant contract.