On Wednesday, the Rangers signed second baseman Marcus Semien to a seven-year contract. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the contract is for $175 million.
It’s the team’s first major move after announcing its intention to spend heavily in free agency this winter.
The Rangers and shortstop Corey Seager agreed to an agreement on a 10-year, $325 million contract on Monday, making an even greater splash.
Semien and Seager’s contracts will be the Rangers’ first long-term free-agent deals since Shin-Soo Choo signed a seven-year, $130 million contract prior to the 2014 season.
Semien spent eight seasons at shortstop before moving to second base after signing a one-year free agency contract with the Blue Jays in 2021.
He batted .265/.334/.538 (.873 OPS) in 162 games for Toronto, earning his first career All-Star berth, Silver Slugger Award, and Gold Glove Award.
Semien also hit 45 home runs, a single-season high for a primary second baseman, while also driving in 102 runs and stealing 15 bases.
In the American League MVP voting, he came in third behind victor Shohei Ohtani and teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Semien would also be a defensive enhancement, whether at second base or shortstop. Despite the fact that second base was not his natural position, he was awarded the Gold Glove.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who won a Gold Glove at third base in 2020, played shortstop for the Rangers in 2021, but with Seager and Semien manning the middle infield, he’ll have to find a new defensive home.
How Much Does Marcus Semien Make?
Marcus Semien makes an annual average salary of $25,000,000.