Inside the Clubhouse: Carlos Correa fallout and more MLB free agency notes

The San Francisco Giants landed the next foundation of their franchise in Carlos Correa. How do they build a contender around him?

For years, the Giants had searched for the next face of their franchise. Giancarlo Stanton rejected a trade to San Francisco. Bryce Harper signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Aaron Judge remained with the New York Yankees.

Carlos Correa was the last big-name free agent available and Farhan Zaidi could not miss. And on late Tuesday night, Correa and the Giants agreed to a massive 13-year, $350 contract that includes no opt-outs and a full no-trade clause. The contract is the largest in franchise history, more than twice the previous record held by Buster Posey ($159 million), and tied with Harper for the longest free-agent contract in history.

Team officials are confident that Correa is the right player and person to lead their clubhouse. He hits for power. He hits for average. The biggest concern with Correa, however, is his durability — he has a history of lower back issues — but considering his youth (he’s 28), he should be able to play shortstop for a few more seasons before transitioning to third base.

So what do the Giants do next after signing Carlos Correa?

With Correa signed, and Ross Stripling and Sean Manaea signed to two-year, $25 million contracts, the Giants are exploring a number of fronts. They have scanned the outfield market even after signing Mitch Haniger. They have considered adding another catcher to pair alongside Joey Bart. They are also active in the bullpen market.

In addition to securing a superstar, the Giants prioritized adding starting pitching, and the Stripling and Manaea signings provide Zaidi, the Giants’ president of baseball operations, exactly what he covets: depth and versatility.

The Giants now have six starting options. Stripling, who posted a 3.01 ERA in 24 starts and eight relief appearances last season, could pitch in both roles. Just look at the rest of their rotation. Alex Cobb has an extensive injury history. Alex Wood had a down 2022 season. Anthony DeSclafini is coming off season-ending surgery and Zaidi told reporters that the team isn’t sure if he’ll have a full workload in 2023.

Before signing Correa, the Giants had not ruled out re-signing Carlos Rodon, who could command a contract in excess of $200 million, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. But the presence of Kyle Harrison, the organization’s best pitching prospect since Madison Bumgarner, makes Rodon far less of a need.

Jose Quintana could be the depth the New York Mets rotation needs

Before signing a two-year, $26 million contract with the Mets, Jose Quintana drew interest from the Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, among others.

But the Mets, even with Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, needed an additional starting pitcher. They lacked proven and experienced depth in the back end of their rotation and internally, viewed Quintana as a productive and durable option (has made at least 29 starts and thrown at least 165 innings in eight of his last 11 seasons).

Quintana, 33, could also make an impact against one of the Mets’ biggest threats in the National League the next two seasons. “Look at his numbers against the Dodgers last season,” one baseball source said at the Winter Meetings. In three starts against the Dodgers, Quintana allowed only two runs in 17 innings (three starts).

Even after adding Quintana, the Mets signed Kodai Senga to a five-year, $75 million contract. The Mets are now in a position where they can trade a starting pitcher — Carlos Carrasco’s name has come up in trade conversations — but don’t necessarily need to. Possibly trading Carrasco would stem from their belief in Tylor Megill and David Peterson, not solely to shed Carrasco’s $14 million salary.

Tampa Bay Rays still looking to trade J.P. Feyereisen

The Rays had been discussing J.P. Feyereisen in trades before designating the right-hander for assignment and a trade remains likely, according to sources. Freyereisen, 29, recently underwent shoulder surgery, performed by Dr. Keith Meister, which was termed a “general cleanup of the rotator cuff and labrum.”

In three seasons (83 appearances), Feyereisen has posted a 2.31 ERA and 85/43 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The right-hander was at his best this season, however, pitching 24.1 scoreless innings (22 appearances) with improved command (25/5 strikeout-to-walk ratio).

If dealt, it would be Feyereisen’s third time being traded — he was originally traded by the New York Yankees to the Brewers — and was traded to Tampa Bay along with right-hander Drew Rasmussen in exchange for star shortstop Willy Adames.

More notes on the San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres are expected to hire Scott Coolbaugh to their coaching staff in an undetermined role, according to sources. Coolbaugh spent the last two seasons as the Detroit Tigers’ hitting coach.

Also, Fernando Tatis Jr. is not available via trade. Besides, Tatis essentially has a full no-trade clause for the remainder of his career (he has a full no-trade clause until 2028 and he gets 10-5 rights after that). The Padres intend to build around Tatis and view him as a key part of their team in 2023 and beyond. It’s time to put those rumors to bed.

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Milwaukee Brewers add a big bat behind the plate

All it took for the Brewers to acquire All-Star catcher William Contreras and pitchers Joel Payamps and Justin Yeager was outfield prospect Esteury Ruiz. And the deal was considered a coup by rival executives.

“That’s a great pickup for the Brewers,” one rival evaluator said. “That kid can hit. If he plays 140 games and DH some, he hits 35 homers and probably like .280. Legit bat.”

Contreras, the younger brother of the Cardinals’ Willson Contreras, was a player that the Brewers have “really liked.” His bat is what stands out — he hit .278/.354/.506 with 20 home runs in 97 games last season — and the Brewers are confident that their coaches can maximize his ability behind the plate. Just look at their work with Omar Narvaez, who was regarded as an offense-first catcher after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners in Nov. 2019.

Ruiz, 23, was the headliner in the Brewers’ return for Josh Hader at the trade deadline. He stole 85 bases in 99 attempts and had a .447 on-base percentage in 541 plate appearances in Double and Triple-A. The A’s believe he can be an elite defender in center field and, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted, believe he should benefit from the new rules that baseball is implementing in 2023 — bigger bases, a pitch clock and pickoff and step-off limits.

Around the Horn:

• Free-agent pitcher Michael Lorenzen’s market is active and starting to move, according to a source. There are a handful of teams interested.
• Correa signed for 13 years, $350 million. Trea Turner signed for 11 years, $300 million and turned down a $342 million offer from the San Diego Padres. Aaron Judge signed for nine years, $360 million. Xander Bogaerts signed for 11 years, $280 million. The thought that Shohei Ohtani, who’s a free agent after the 2023 season, becomes the first $500 million player in baseball history is very, very real.