Carlos Correa Signs 12-Year, $315-Million Deal with Mets Following Medical Dispute with Giants
As it turns out, shortstop Carlos Correa is headed to the “Big Apple” instead of the west coast, signing a massive 12-year, $315-million contract with the New York Mets.
This news, of course, comes as a major surprise after the 28-year-old agreed to a 13-year, $350-million deal with the San Francisco Giants last week. But after the team raised red flags over his physical, the deal reportedly fell apart at the last minute, with Mets owner Steve Cohen swooping in and landing the prized superstar.
His deal does include an opt-out clause after 2023, though, so Correa could re-enter free agency next winter if he chooses.
It remains unclear what about Correa’s medical report worried the Giants’ brass, however, those same concerns certainly didn’t discourage the Mets from stealing him away. And they did so while most people were sleeping – rival executives included.
Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, reportedly resumed negotiations with New York’s front office late Tuesday night upon learning his client’s deal with San Francisco was in danger, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. At that point, things escalated very quickly toward an agreement.
Shortly after the dust settled Wednesday morning, the Giants released a statement on the matter, confirming an undisclosed disagreement transpired regarding the two-time All-Star’s physical.
‘‘While we are prohibited from disclosing confidential medical information, as Scott Boras stated publicly, there was a difference of opinion over the results of Carlos’ physical examination. We wish Carlos the best.”
After missing out on Aaron Judge and Xander Bogaerts in free agency, the Giants found their guy, or at least they thought they did, in Correa. The hope was to pair him up the middle with veteran Brandon Crawford, fortifying the club’s infield defence.
Instead, Giants GM Pete Putila – hired by the team in October – is left with a heartbreaking off-season. He acquired outfielders Mitch Haniger and Joc Pederson along with starters Ross Stripling and Sean Manaea, though failed to bring a superstar to “The Bay.”
Now, the top position player remaining is Michael Conforto, who missed all of 2022 due to shoulder surgery. And barring an unforeseen blockbuster, Putila’s goal of procuring a franchise cornerstone will fall short.
The Mets, meanwhile, have continued their spending spree this winter, increasing their CBT payroll to a major-league-high $388.4 million. With luxury tax penalties, Cohen will have spent close to half a billion dollars on his team for 2023.
Not even the most optimistic Mets fans would have predicted this immense amount of spending after ownership changed hands prior to the 2020 campaign.
So far this winter, the team has added Correa, Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, José Quintana, David Robertson and Omar Narváez. The team also re-signed Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo and Adam Ottavino.
With middle infielders, in particular, New York already has Francisco Lindor – signed to a 10-year, $341-million contract – at shortstop. But he’ll now have the opportunity to play alongside his long-time friend and Team Puerto Rico teammate.
Correa will join his fellow countryman on the left side of the Mets’ infield, prompting a positional change to third base. The 2021 Gold Glove winner has only played shortstop in the majors, although he did move to third during the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he played next to his newest teammate.
Last season, Correa slashed .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs, 64 RBIs and a 140 wRC+ across 136 games during his first and only season with the Minnesota Twins. He was also worth 4.4 fWAR, the third-highest rating of his career.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: Jeffrey Hayes. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.