Just before midnight on the East Coast, Carlos Correa and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract. Correa bet on himself, and won.
Carlos Correa’s contract will have huge ramifications for the rest of the free-agent market, and soon-to-be top free-agent shortstops in the seasons to come. With his 13-year, $350 million deal, Correa signed the fourth-largest contract in league history, and the largest ever by a shortstop, topping the likes of Francisco Lindor.
The 28-year-old literally reset the market.
Correa was forced to bet on himself after last year’s free agency did not go according to plan. MLB owners were strict in their spending habits, and would not give in to the $300 million Correa wanted. That’s why he took on a short-term, high AAV deal with the Twins, a deal that paid off thanks to an opt out after the first year.
Still, Correa’s contract is bound to break some hearts in the Midwest. The business side of baseball is tough that way.
Carlos Correa contract: 3 winners and a clear loser
Carlos Correa and Scott Boras win again
Carlos Correa couldn’t exit this free-agency period without a $300 million contract, and more importantly, Scott Boras needed to execute such a deal for his client.
Boras has an aura to him as MLB prime super-agent. He’s often the leak you see in stories across the baseball industry in regards to contract signings, especially if they involve his clients. It’s just how the business works. But Boras also brings with him the kind of fear and bravado that is necessary when talking numbers at a long table. And we’re talking life-changing numbers, even for a man as rich as Correa.
For Correa, San Francisco is now his long-term home. Things works out perfectly for the shortstop, as the Giants had plenty of money to spend after missing out on Aaron Judge. They needed a ‘face of the franchise’ type player, and they received one in Correa.
Twins came out a loser of Carlos Correa negotiations
Minnesota offered Carlos Correa a 10-year, $285 million contract, when all was said and done. That was as high as they were willing to go.
It’s not a bad offer for the Twins, especially considering they are a mid-market team, at best. Minnesota did well to last this long in the bidding war against a team like the Giants, which had every reason in the world to offer Correa and Boras whatever the hell they wanted. Eventually, the price tag was too steep, and Minnesota had to back off.
Correa didn’t have much of a reason to give the Twins a hometown discount — he was only there for a year. Still, by all accounts, he was a good locker room presence. He will be missed.
Now, the Twins must turn to his eventual replacement, whoever that may be. Dansby Swanson is still available, and Minnesota is expected to be in on that chase, especially since the former Brave will not earn the $350 million that Correa demanded in the end.
Much of the allure of Correa also came at a price. Surely, the Twins attention could have been better used elsewhere had they known what the final asking price would have been. Minnesota has holes up and down the roster.
The real Twins free agency starts right now.
Phillies got a steal with Trea Turner, as it turns out
It’s important to point out that Trea Turner could have received more money from the San Diego Padres, but ultimately turned it down to take the 11-year, $300 million contract the Philadelphia Phillies offered him.
Correa, of course, received $50 million more than Turner, albeit over a 13-year deal.
Some could argue that Turner was the top shortstop target on the free-agent market, only he signed for less money and contract length. Something isn’t adding up here, except for the sheer fact that Turner wanted to be a Phillie, and sign closer to family.
Sometimes, it really is that simple. Turner had more money on the open market, but the Phillies were lucky enough that he wanted to play on the east coast, and that his wife was from a mere 50 miles outside Philly in Flemington, NJ. It made for the perfect storm.
A perfect storm that will make the Phillies NL East contenders for years to come, while the Giants still have significant work to do on their end.
Giants are biggest winners of Carlos Correa contract
The San Francisco Giants, had they lost out on Correa after also whiffing on Aaron Judge, would have been the laughing stock of the 2022 offseason. Now, the real fun starts.
The Giants have the face of their franchise moving forward for the next decade-plus, should they opt to keep Correa by the Bay that long. Correa plays at a premium position, is still at the front end of his prime, and has a winning pedigree. There is no downside to signing Correa, minus the checks made out by Giants ownership every year.
How successful San Francisco can be during Correa’s tenure is up to the organization. They have several moves they can make to provide a more well-rounded support group for Correa, including some corner outfield depth, and bullpen help. Carlos Rodon remains a free agent, should they wish to forge a reunion.
Correa was just the beginning. Whether it’s this offseason, or next, the Giants will spend again.