Ever since we heard on Christmas Eve that the Mets were worried about Carlos Correa, there have been no substantial reports with updates on developments. The Mets were aware of the issues and had been talking to Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, for at least 24 hours. when the news leaked. Mets owner Steve Cohen was understandably upset by the leak — that it came from the Mets front office — and made sure there was a small circle, including lawyers, working to get a deal done with Correct.
The Mets want Correa to stay in Queens for a long time, and Carlos prefers not to return to the free agent market. So, it makes sense on both sides that the deal is finally done. I have yet to hear from anyone within the Mets organization who is pessimistic about it being finalized. The reality is that working out special language in an agreement of this magnitude that can protect both parties in the event of injury is going to take a long time and, of course, the holiday season is right in the middle of this thing as well.
The Mets and Correa agreed to a 12-year, $315 million deal less than 24 hours after the San Francisco Giants expressed reservations about their 13-year, $350 million deal with the shortstop star due to concerns over his long-term lower right leg. Correa underwent surgery to fix the problem in 2014 when he fractured his fibula as a minor leaguer in the Astros organization. Cohen had spoken to Boras before Correa agreed to sign with the Giants, and the Mets owner wasted no time in showing interest in the former Twin once Correa was back on the market. Cohen even gave the New York Post Several quotes relaying his excitement about signing Correa in the news article that broke the story. It’s a highly unusual move for a team, let alone an owner, to comment/break news of a team agreeing to sign a player before going through an official medical.
Unlike what was previously a fast delay With the Giants, Boras and Correa have been willing to extend negotiations with the Mets in hopes of reaching a deal.
As we approach a week since the news of the medical issue with the ankle, Mets fans are certainly eager to see if Correa will indeed form a star-studded infield left side with Francois Lindor.
To ease their minds, let’s look at a recent case where a player accepted a deal only to have the language changed in it due to medical issues. This agreement was between JD Martinez and the Boston Red Sox in 2018 and of course the bargaining agent who negotiated was Boras.
The Red Sox-Martinez deal was first reported on Feb. 19 and then became official a week later on Feb. 26 after Boston’s medical team became concerned about a back injury. foot from Lisfranc that wasted JD time in the 2017 season. Ultimately, language was added to the five-year, $110 million deal that would give the Red Sox options should Martinez run out of time due to a foot injury. In exchange, the Red Sox agreed to give Martinez an additional opt-out that was not in the original deal.
Should Martinez deal with Lisfrance’s injury or a foot injury causing him to miss some time, the 2021 and 2022 seasons of the deal would become mutual options. In the end, it took a week for the Red Sox, Boras, medical professionals and lawyers to finalize this deal which was originally $110 million over five years. And now Boras and the Mets are trying to do the same with a deal that was originally 12 years, $315, so you can see why it would take time to work out all the details.
As we await news, it’s important to remember that we know this could take some time, radio silence on both sides is likely a good sign, and both sides are apparently determined to ensure that a deal be concluded.
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