Pros and Cons of Cardinals signing Carlos Correa if Mets bail

Cons of the Cardinals giving Carlos Correa a call

Other than wasting their own time because Carlos Correa and his camp may be insistent on a long-term deal, there aren’t too many cons to checking in. A long-term deal could come back to bite the Cardinals when suddenly they realize Correa cannot play shortstop and needs extensive stints on the IL. It’s the whole reason why the Giants got cold feet and even on a lesser deal we see the Mets are feeling hesitant.

Correa is not a necessity for the Cardinals right now. What makes the Tommy Edman/Brendan Donovan combination up the middle work well is the low cost and ability of each to hit from the left side. Edman is a switch hitter whereas Donovan bats left-handed. This team could use a power-hitting lefty. For a crack at Correa, they will probably settle for another stud right-handed hitter.

The only kind of deal that works with the Cardinals and Correa is a short one. Next year’s free agency class includes four Cardinals starters. They’re going to need to spend in that area. A big commitment to Correa with concerns over his health from the onset could give the front office a limitation in what they add to the rotation.

Anyone who may sign Correa at this point, if things do fall through with the Mets, has the potential to come away looking foolish or like the smartest team in the room. A decade-plus contract would be a bad plan for everyone.

St. Louis has the reigning MVP and third-place finisher on their roster. Now is the time to take a risk as long as it doesn’t hurt you long-term. Go high on the AAV. It might be the best Correa can hope for.