Astros rumors: Replacing Carlos Correa shouldn’t be tough

The Houston Astros are not bringing back Carlos Correa, despite frequent contract negotiations the last few days. Trevor Story is an easy backup plan.

Opening Day is less than three weeks away, and there are more than a handful of teams interested in shortstop Trevor Story. As the best last shortstop free agent on the market, Story makes sense for a number of teams — some destinations would allow him to stay at shortstop, while others would insist on a move to second base.

Story will not receive Correa money — the former Astro signed a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins early Friday morning — but on a short-term deal he’s worth every penny.

The Astros make a lot of sense as a potential destination, especially now that Correa is out of the picture.

Astros rumors: Trevor Story could be Carlos Correa’s replacement

Story slashed .251/.329/.471 last season, a far cry from his usual numbers. It couldn’t have come at a worse time, either — a contract year and final season playing in Coors Field, the ultimate hitters’ ballpark.

Yet, he remains one of the top free agents on the open market, and Houston has a gaping hole at shortstop with Correa gone. Aledmys Diaz can fill in as the starting shortstop with Correa gone, but he doesn’t have the same kind of defensive flexibility that Story does.

Meanwhile, several teams linked to Story, such as the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, would require him to switch positions just to receive a contract. It’s not as enticing as it may seem, despite Story wanting to play for a winning ball-club.

This is where the Astros come in. Houston is expected to contend in the AL West once again in 2022, and they need a shortstop to fill Correa’s shoes.

What are the two sides waiting for?