Carlos Correa disappointed by ‘low’ contract offer from Astros (Video)
By Scott Rogust
Carlos Correa provided a pessimistic update regarding his contract negotiations with the Houston Astros.
Prior to the start of the season, Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa gave the team an Opening Day deadline to negotiate a contract extension. If no deal is met by Apr. 1, then Correa will join the likes of Trevor Story, Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor in free agency next winter. Astros fans are no doubt hoping they can retain Correa, especially after losing George Springer in free agency.
Brace yourselves Astros fans, because this is an update you will not like.
In a video courtesy of Mark Berman of FOX 26, Correa was asked during a press conference if he is confident a deal can be reached before Houston’s regular-season opener against the Oakland Athletics. Correa responded with an “oof” before giving a very pessimistic update on negotiations.
Carlos Correa (@TeamCJCorrea) asked if he has confidence a deal can still get done: “I don’t know. 1st offer I thought was really low.If that’s how they feel about me,I guess I’ll go out & play & try to win another championship for the city of Houston & then explore free agency” pic.twitter.com/9LOR4TZuD8
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) March 26, 2021
Astros: Carlos Correa’s contract negotiations not going well
Correa sounds like a player who has accepted the reality that Houston will not give him the type of deal he wants and that he will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported on Wednesday that the Astros offered Correa a six-year, $120 million deal. Unsurprisingly, that was a hard no from Correa. Yes, that is a lot of money, but shortstops are going to command lucrative deals this offseason after the San Diego Padres inked Fernando Tatis Jr. to a 14-year, $340 million contract. In fact, the New York Mets are reportedly willing to give Lindor a contract worth $300 million or more.
Related Story. Astros and Lance McCullers agree to monster 5-year extension. light
Correa is coming off a great season where he helped lead the Astros to the ALCS when no one expected them to. Through the regular-season, Correa slashed .264/.326/.383 while recording five home runs, 25 RBI and 53 hits. In the postseason, Correa recorded a .362 batting average, a 1.221 OPS, six home runs, 17 RBI and 17 hits.
There are already teams reportedly likely to pursue Correa and the other free agent shortstops in the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and the Texas Rangers. If the Astros don’t meet Correa’s demands, they stand an increasingly likely chance that their former first-overall draft pick dons a new uniform for the 2022 season.