Braves news: Twins-Carlos Correa rumors should pique Alex Anthopoulos interest

Carlos Correa might be available on a shorter deal, which should be music to the Braves’ ears.

Carlos Correa has had a crazy offseason. In total dollars, no single player has agreed in principle to more dollars in a single offseason than Correa. Yet, a contract remains unsigned thanks to concerns from both the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets over a previous injury and surgical reconstruction Correa underwent in 2014.

And now, despite the Mets looking like the front-runner to officially land Correa, there are massive question marks lingering. The Mets snuck in and pulled Correa away from the Giants, so this recent hang-up could easily create an opportunity for other teams to get in there.

Specifically, the incumbent Minnesota Twins are making some noise in regards to Correa. They could get him on a shorter deal with a higher annual value, which ultimately is a bit team friendlier than a decade-long deal for several hundred million dollars.

This should have the Braves thinking about what could be done to land Correa and backfill Dansby Swanson.

Alex Anthopoulos should be checking on a short-term contract for Carlos Correa, Braves

Earlier this week we looked at teams that should offer Correa a one-year deal if he’s open to it, and the Braves were on there. The reason? Well, the Braves don’t spend big money traditionally, but this could be a logical exception to the rule.

Atlanta has historically done a great job developing players and signing them to team-friendly deals before they have the chance to hit the open market.

After losing Dansby Swanson to the Chicago Cubs in free agency, the Braves turn to rookie Vaughn Grissom, who might be ready… But what if there’s a chance to get Correa?

Signing Correa to a short-term, large annual value deal would be incongruent with the Braves’ penny-pinching moves, but it would be a crafty way to take advantage of a player who was getting decade-long offers for a lower price.

Correa has played 148 (91.4%) and 136 (84.0%) games in the last two seasons after appearing in 133 in 2019 and 2020 combined (60% of a possible 222 due to a shortened 2020 season).

Alex Anthopoulos has been financially creative as the Braves’ top baseball executive, and this would be another way to flex that ability, albeit in a novel way.