Twins Want to Extend Carlos Correa… at a Discount

Carlos Correa is expected to opt-out of his contract with the Minnesota Twins, at the end of this season. When that happens, he’ll hit a crowded shortstop market, with superstar agent Scott Boras, hoping for a new long-term deal worth somewhere in the range of $300 million.
The Twins’ only chance at keeping Correa in Minneapolis beyond 2022 is a competitive pre free agency extension offer that makes him think twice about hitting a bloated market in a few months. Unfortunately, there’s been no reports of those talks taking place yet.
Twins Want Correa Extension at a Discount
But on Saturday evening, in his bi-weekly column, Charley Walters (Pioneer Press) floated a number and term that the Minnesota Twins would be willing to pay Carlos Correa: $175 million over 7 years ($25 million per season).
Unless the Twins can get Carlos Correa, 27, to agree to a deal in the $175 million range over seven years or so, it still appears the shortstop hitting .263 with 13 home runs will be elsewhere next season. – Charley Walters (Pioneer Press)
Depending on who you ask, there may or may not be teams out there willing to spend $300+ million on Correa. He’ll be 28 before the 2022 season comes to a close. And while Correa’s been consistent, he’s also been a bit underwhelming. Especially at $35.1 million, the 7th highest salary in baseball this season.
What do the numbers say?
Correa’s .263 batting average is 12 points below his career .275 number. His .764 OPS is 65 points below his career average of 829. Still, he’s been worth 2.7 WAR already this season. And his OPS+ is a solid 120. He’s the best leader we’ve seen in a Twins uniform since forever. And let’s be real, this dude does the regular season for show and the postseason for dough.
It’s unlikely $25 million per season keeps Correa in a Minnesota Twins uniform. But given his underwhelming numbers in 2022 and the overloaded shortstop market expected in free agency, one has to wonder how much higher they’d have to go to get Scott Boras’ attention. Can Correa find $30 million per season? How close to that number would the Twins be willing to go, if they’re already at $25 million?
According to Darren Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North), the Chicago Cubs stand as Carlos Correa’s most likely big-money offseason suitor (26-minute mark).
Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan
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