In a stunning development, star shortstop Carlos Correa signed a three-year, $105.3 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. Experts and analysts alike were expecting a massive, long-term deal. Instead, Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins agreed on a deal that includes multiple opt-outs. Even more surprising than Correa settling for a three-year deal is the fact that he signed with the Minnesota Twins.
The Minnesota Twins are a small-market team allergic to enormous contracts with big stars. Recently, they signed homegrown outfielder Byron Buxton to a $100 million contract but those are few and far between with the Twins organization.
The 27-year-old shortstop is coming off an All-Star and Gold Glove 2021 season. Offensively, Correa had his best offensive season since 2017. Correa hit 26 homeruns while accumulating a .279/.366/.485 slash in Houston adding up to a 131 OPS+. According to Baseball Reference, Correa was the best defensive player in the American League when analyzed by Wins Above Replacement.
Correa is another new face to a lineup featuring Giovanny Urshela, Gary Sanchez, Jorge Polanco and others. It is obvious Twins brass see a window of contention with the recent flurry of moves. That may be fine and well but is that window actually open? The Chicago White Sox are poised to contend for at least three more years and the Detroit Tigers have been rumored as aggressive suitors this offseason. With the Tigers being aggressive suitors, their own management sees an upcoming window as well.
Correa must have been intrigued by a contract that pays him handsomely and allows him the freedom to review his options after each year. Multiple sources are reporting Correa’s contract features opt out language after the first and second years. It is a great business decision for both parties’ as the Twins have a possible stop gap, perennial All-Star shortstop for the next year and maybe more.
All of this adds up to an extremely fun first half of the season with what could be a wild trade deadline. The Twins have added another MVP candidate to a formidable lineup. Correa and the Twins agree it is not a long term solution but it will do for now.
