5 teams who should make a Godfather offer to Astros for Carlos Correa
The Houston Astros have lowballed Carlos Correa with a contract offer, so these five teams should be readying their “Godfather” offer for him.
Next winter’s free agent class of shortstops is, simply, loaded right now. Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story, Javier Baez, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, etc. Contract extensions may be coming for some (Lindor, Baez), while another (Story) is probably going to be traded.
As got closer to free agency and with concerns about being able to pay everyone, the idea the Astros would trade Correa surfaced in December of 2019. But it never got much actual traction. The idea surfaced again early this past offseason, as owner Jim Crane expressed hesitation about paying Correa what the market will dictate.
Correa has expressed his desire to be an Astro for his entire career. The team presented a contract offer, six years, $120 million according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, and it’s safe to say Correa was not impressed.
Astros offered superstar SS Carlos Correa about $120M for 6 years, and no surprise, to this point there’s no sign of traction. Assuming no deal occurs, Correa, 26 now, will be the youngest in a great free agent class. Astros did get McCullers done at $85M/5, so credit them there.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 24, 2021
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
Correa on the Astros: "If they don't see me here long term, then another team will."
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 26, 2021
Oh, and Correa is not wavering from his Opening Day deadline to get a deal done.
Carlos Correa said he will "absolutely not" lift his opening day deadline. He is not negotiating after April 1
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 26, 2021
For comparison sake, Lindor is in line to get a deal from the Mets (who traded for him this offseason) in the $300 million range. The Astros have come in a year or two short of Lindor’s likely new deal, and obviously well below in per year and total value.
The Astros are now absolutely facing losing Correa for a compensatory draft pick. So these teams should be readying their “Godfather” offer for the 26-year old. That is, of course, an offer the Astros “can’t refuse.”
5 teams who should make a Godfather offer for Carlos Correa
5. Seattle Mariners
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto has never met a trade he wouldn’t consider making, for better or worse. Led by a growing group of young talent, Seattle could make a case for themselves as a contender in the AL West this year. The Astros are vulnerable, even as the favorite, while the A’s and Angels have their own question marks.
MLB.com has ranked the Mariners the farm system third-best in baseball entering the season. With that as a launch point, here’s how “Trader Jerry” could shape an offer for Correa.