Free agency has been nothing short of a whirlwind for Carlos Correa, who over the past month agreed to separate contracts with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets before ultimately re-signing with the Minnesota Twins due to questions raised over his right ankle.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were among the teams connected to Correa, but they were never perceived as likely to offer him the type of long-term contract that marquee shortstops received this offseason.
Furthermore, the front office was said to have concern over how Dodgers fans would receive Correa due to his involvement — and comments after — the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal that helped them win the 2017 World Series.
Although Correa’s market seemingly gave out from under him, the Dodgers still did not look to capitalize, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
The Dodgers lack a proven shortstop and generally jump when star players are available on shorter deals, but they, too, evidently did not bid to the Twins’ level.
Correa passed his physical with the Twins to finalize a six-year, $200 million contract. The deal includes a vesting option for four years and $70 million.
Correa is back with the Twins after opting out from a three-year, $105.3 million contract signed with the team before the 2022 season. That too was a byproduct of unexpected circumstances in free agency as a megadeal never materialized.
As for the Dodgers, they appear likely to have Gavin Lux as their starting shortstop come Opening Day. L.A. reportedly did not want to extend a long-term offer to Trea Turner, and similarly weren’t heavily involved for Xander Bogaerts or Dansby Swanson.
Carlos Correa contracts
The first contract Correa agreed to was for 13 years and $350 million. The Giants were poised to formally introduce their newest addition but canceled the press conference shortly before it was scheduled to begin.
Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, has claimed the Giants weren’t communicative after that point, which led to negotiating with other teams.
The Mets quickly stepped in and agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract with Correa. However, Mets medical personnel flagged Correa’s physical as well.
Despite efforts to revise language in the agreement and come to new financial terms that appeased both parties, Correa and the Mets went their separate ways after multiple weeks.
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