It wasn’t supposed to happen like this for Carlos Correa. He spent the last offseason seeking a long-term contract worth more than $300 million. He never got that and instead settled for a one-year contract that earned him the highest average annual value we’ve ever seen for an infielder. Now still unsigned on Jan. 8, his long-term prognosis has come under scrutiny, and sources continue to point to Minnesota as the benefactor.
It has been several weeks since reports surfaced that Carlos Correa would sign a 12-year, $315 million contract with the New York Mets. They were a late contender for the party, but stood there with a wad of cash after the San Francisco Giants wanted to rework their 13-year, $350 million offer following a physical. We now know that the physique issues all relate to an ankle that was surgically repaired as a prospect, and the twins saw the same information.
According to a source, Minnesota is now using the physical to its advantage. Correa was already cleared last March on what was a three-year deal. As recently as Saturday morning, another offer was made. Although the deal would likely require a medical, the twins indicated they were comfortable with Correa’s health and body.
Heading into the season, Minnesota knew Correa would retire after one season unless he played poorly or was injured. They sought to keep him on a long-term contract, eventually offering 10 years, $285 million. It didn’t reach the same area as the Giants or the Mets, and therefore left the Twins short. Before San Francisco made its final effort, the Twins felt well positioned. While it may have been short-sighted, it seems the odds are now higher than ever.
New York is looking to rework Correa’s deal, and a source says language protecting the Mets meant his guaranteed money could be cut by a third. Correa is looking for long-term certainty, and the Mets adding conditions to exit the deal after seven years would be a non-starter. Although the Twins’ 10-year $285 million was originally well short of dollars, it’s now nearing (or even exceeding) the truly guaranteed money.
A source said the latest offer, which should give Minnesota a very strong footing, is within range of that previous final offer.
With New York reluctant on the length at this point, and with hopefully alternatives Brett Baty and Marc Vientos, the Mets’ total setback is not unfathomable. Mets owner Steve Cohen recently noted that The player needs his team more than the team needs him. While that may be true of a franchise that has Francois Lindor at shortstop and push Correa into the hot corner, it’s certainly not an ideal way to welcome talent.
From the start, Minnesota made Correa and his family feel welcome and a priority. Again, the front office stuck to an original offering despite multiple cuts from organizations that have since been cold-hearted. The Twins are growing more comfortable that Boras isn’t just playing with the Twins as leverage for the Mets. Instead, he’s become bored with the proceedings, wants a resolution in the next few days, and Minnesota may even now be the favorite.
It’s a waiting game regarding Cohen and his unlimited amount of dollars. Whether GM Billy Eppler wants to move forward or not remains to be seen, the Mets have acted at the last minute on several occasions during this saga.
Knowing that players love Manny Machado and Shohei Ohtani will be free agents next offseason has helped keep some of the biggest markets out of this race. Minnesota will not be considered for these two, and this represents their best chance to make a splash of this caliber. Correa’s dollars could be nearly $100 million more than Joe MaurerThe expansion of Twins’ hometown, and seeing this type of commitment would be welcomed by Twins Territory.
While Correa was always unlikely to end up in Minnesota, and it remains unlikely, it’s probably as close as it got to them to be a favorite.
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