Corey Seager's return to Dodger Stadium still has fans wondering what could have been

Texas Ranger shortstop Corey Seager is comfortable hitting at Dodger Stadium, where he spent the first seven seasons of his decorated MLB career as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Seager flexed that comfort on Friday night when he hit a three-run home run off Tyler Glasnow in the third inning, giving the Rangers an early 3-1 lead in a game they'd eventually lose.

Seager's blast gave Dodgers fans complicated feelings, as any Seager-related success usually does. There were plenty of Dodgers fans who got irrationally excited this past offseason when rumors were flying that Seager and the six years remaining on his massive deal were on the trade block as the Rangers were looking to shed payroll.

Corey Seager homer at Dodger Stadium made Dodgers fans miss him

Would the Dodgers bring back Seager, making him the everyday third baseman for when Max Muncy moved on? This was a serious question floating around Dodgers Nation this past winter, even if it doesn't appear that a Seager return was ever in the cards. The Dodgers are already loaded and well-equipped with bats to accomplish a three-peat, and they also have plenty of young studs on the verge of MLB-readiness. Seager would be a superfluous add and a slight financial inconvenience, even for baseball's most free-spending organization.

Even so, Dodgers fans fond of Seager watched his three-run homer on Friday and thought for a few moments about what could have been. What if Seager had never left LA? He's remained a productive player since his departure, making three All-Star teams in four seasons for Texas, including a 2023 season in which he slashed 327/ .390/ .623/ 1.013, finished No. 2 in American League MVP voting, and won World Series MVP for the Rangers. Not bad!

Corey Seager has continued to grow since he left LA

Seager's power also increased as soon as he left LA and donned a Rangers uniform. He smashed 33 homers in his debut season in Texas (2022), a career-high, and then repeated that feat again in 2023. He hit 30 homers in 2024, too, which is still more than he ever tallied in a Dodgers season.

Should anyone really be surprised by this power surge, though? Seager was just entering his athletic prime when he signed with Texas. Most stars get stronger and experience a power increase in their late-20s or early-30s, and Seager was no different.

It would have been nice to see Seager in Dodgers blue for his entire career, especially given his enduring value. But at the end of the day, LA has fared mighty well without him. There's the whole back-to-back World Series titles thing to look at as obvious evidence.

Dodgers fans will always look upon Seager fondly, but baseball's current dynasty can only retain a certain number of superstars. There are only nine positions and one DH on a lineup sheet.