Carlos Correa should be insulted by latest Mets physical update

The New York Mets did not sign Carlos Correa due to a faulty physical, but that didn’t stop them from adding Kodai Senga.

Carlos Correa eventually ended up back with the Minnesota Twins after his ankle drew concerns from both the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets.

Steve Cohen and the Mets had genuine interest in Correa, as he announced to the world that the star shortstop (who would’ve been a third baseman in New York) was the team’s missing piece.

Just a few weeks later, Correa was back in free agency, and needed a new home. The Twins, being one of the only remaining teams with interest, signed Correa to a contract with plenty of incentives included.

Why didn’t the Mets sign Carlos Correa?

Carlos Correa’s right ankle was surgically repaired when he played in the minor leagues in 2014. While it hasn’t impacted him much sense, the Giants and then Mets were concerned that it would worsen as the star shortstop ages. Thought he’s under 30 years old now, the contracts he agreed to with San Francisco and New York would’ve paid him well into his late 30’s.

Bad physical doesn’t stop Mets from signing Kodai Senga

Per New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman, New York also had concerns about Kodai Senga’s medicals. However, given Senga’s history in Japan and the fact he’s a pitcher — a position which tends to have more wear and tear anyway — the two sides were able to get over the hump:

"“His physical was actually OK’d before figures were finalized by a team that’s become a stickler on physicals in what was said to be a “good behind-the-scenes collaborative effort.” If this mode impacted the final number, it also curtailed potential drama. Folks in the know say it’s common for Japanese pitchers to show more wear on the arm earlier since star starters there throw more innings at younger ages,” Heyman wrote."

Still, it leads an unbiased onlooker to wonder why, exactly, Senga’s issues were deemed okay, while an ankle surgery from eight years ago cost the Mets a chance at arguably the best shortstop in the game.