With MLB implementing a lockout yesterday, it will likely be some time until fans learn the fate of the sport’s presently unsigned free agents. Per the parameters of the lockout, teams are unable to contact players or make any transactions during this period. Touted by many as the best player on the free agent market, Carlos Correa will have his eventual contract delayed as well, though that doesn’t mean he won’t have his fair share of suitors when the lockout concludes. Prior to yesterday’s announcement, Mark Berman of Fox 26 (KRIV) tweeted a list of teams Correa’s camp has been contacted by at some point this offseason. The Astros and Yankees were teams already known to have reached out, but Berman adds the Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs, and Braves to the mix as well.
At first glance, some of these newly reported teams may seem like imperfect landing spots for a shortstop who will command a 9-figure salary. Then again, it’s hard to fault any big market team for performing due diligence on a high caliber player like Correa. It’s not presently known when these teams contacted Correa’s agent or how serious these check-ins were, but any team even passingly reported as having communications with Correa’s camp could clue fans into where the star shortstop will end up signing.
Starting alphabetically with one of the more curious fits, Atlanta concluded it’s pennant-winning season with Dansby Swanson entrenched at the shortstop position. While Swanson didn’t quite replicate his production from 2020, he did pop a personal-best 27 home runs and provided defense that was generally regarded as passable or better. The 27-year-old will enter 2022 under his last year of team control, however, perhaps creating a scenario where Correa is signed and Swanson is peddled to a team still in search of a new shortstop. Any movement from Atlanta on the Correa market would likely come after there’s resolution (or, in order to afford Correa, a breakdown) on the Freddie Freeman front.
Boston ended 2021 with a prominent name at shortstop as well, Xander Bogaerts. The 29-year-old Bogaerts continues to rate as one of the league’s more consistent run producers, winnning his fourth Silver Slugger award after a .295/.370/.493 (127 OPS+) showing. Like Swanson in Atlanta, Bogaerts may find himself in his last year of team control if he opts out of the remaining three years on his contract like he is widely expected to do. A Correa pursuit would require some infield shuffling, but would make for an imposing addition to an already strong Red Sox lineup. It would also provide cover for a Bogaerts departure while drastically increasing infield defense.
Chicago has less standing in the way of a Correa run than the previous two teams, as they have the payroll space and an acute need for more offense. Nico Hoerner projects as the current Cubs shortstop following the midseason Javier Baez trade, and to his credit he acquitted himself well to the position. As solid as the former first-rounder was through 44 games though, batting .302/.382/.369 (105 OPS+), he’s only a year removed from a 57 OPS+ showing in a similar amount of games. Hoerner is also defensively adept enough that he could slide to any number of other positions to make room for the more powerful Correa. It remains to be seen if the Cubs are willing to spend additional funds to inch back towards competitiveness or if the Marcus Stroman signing will be their signature offseason acquisition.
Lastly, LA serves as an intriguing landing spot for the All-Star Correa. Like other teams here, the Dodgers have a strong shortstop already in place— Trea Turner. The speedy Turner though can play second base, allowing second basemen Chris Taylor and Gavin Lux to operate in the utility-type roles in which they’ve grown accustomed. One question for the Dodgers front office, however, is if they’d be willing to spend upwards of $300MM on a shortstop when they just let their last superstar shortstop leave for a similarly rich contract. There’s also the 4-year-old elephant in the room, the 2017 World Series in which Correa’s Astros infamously defeated the Dodgers. It’s unlikely any still-lingering weirdness would tank mutual interest (money tends to do the most talking in free agency, after all), but it could serve as a dealbreaker in the event another team were to pursue Correa with the same amount of fervor.
He will still be by the tigers
The Red Sox being mentioned here is ridiculous. It’s almost like Bloom is trolling.
Hey I think I’ll stop by my local Rolls Royce dealership and look at the newest model.
No chance at all I’ll buy one, but I will enjoy the reaction from people who hear I’m considering it.
How is the Red Sox ridiculous? Bloom has said number one priority was to improve defense and said he will get a middle infielder either story Baez or Correa with only story and Correa left one is going to Boston. I think Yankees really want freeman. Xander will opt out in 2023; JD a free agent in 2023. I think Correa favorite to land is back to Astros or another mystery team. Yankees I don’t see it unless it’s
Less then 8 years
Well, they passed on Mookie due to the $ dollars involved, and while that was in the past, hard to believe that they’ll commit 8-10 years and $300+ Million to Correa hoping that Xander and JD opt out to create salary relief.
And as far as resigning with Houston;…..looks like that ship has sailed as they are about $150+ Million and 4-5 years short in their offer.
I do agree that he will be too rich for the Yankees with a questionable fan response in coming to the Bronx.
I agree, “Rocky7”. I believe that Houston offered Correa 6 years at $180 million. $30 million per isn’t exactly hard to get by on, lol. I get it though. First off, the Agent is usually the one price gouging, as they want their lil 10% per contract negotiated to be as much as humanly possible. And second, the Union (MLBPA) wouldn’t like it whatsoever because it’d probably lower other players salaries. The Owners’ definitely wouldn’t say, “Oh well, disregard that contract because he just wanted to give his hometown team a discount.” Hell no!! The Owners’ would jump all over that “advantage”.
You realize the Red Sox were in a COMPLETELY different financial position with Betts right? Martinez is in his final year and Price’s 16 million dollar retained salary comes off the books after this year. The Red Sox can EASILY afford Correa and still not financially hamstring themselves going forward.
rocky7 – It really seemed like Betts just didn’t want to stay in Boston, and the extension he signed with the Dodgers leads further credence to that.
dsett75 – The last offer I saw reported was $160M over 5 years. And it’s not a matter of “getting by on” $30-32M per year. It’s about maximizing his earning potential (something most of us do with fewer digits in our salaries) during a relatively short career and increasing the baseline for future players.
Kevin23 – The Red Sox are in a worse position than when they threw Mookie away for nothing. Mookie is better than any of the SSs being discussed and got cut when Bloom could have chosen a different big contract to cut like JD. That would have fixed the defense immediately!!
Or maybe he could have cut Bogey and used Iglesias so the team would have gotten the same high level draft pick, Or maybe Eovaldi could have been cut or maybe a smart GM dumping payroll might have traded young players for available cap room so a contract like Pedroia’s would be eaten by a team to get a guy like Chavis who apparently had no value to Bloom. So many ways to clear payroll and the least optimum was selected by Bloom!!
The Red Sox were at $228M because Bloom didn’t non-tender JBJ for $11M going into 2020. $217M pays about $5M in luxury tax at the 50% rate that existed at the time and that includes keeping both Price and Mookie being on the payroll!!! COVID hits and even less tax was paid AND Price opted out so had Bloom kept him their payroll would have been under the cap without doing damage by giving away Mookie!!! Bloom’s an idiot.
Now Bloom has boxed himself into a corner and nobody can blame it on anyone but him. He took the $73M that is no longer on the books and pissed it away on crap like Richards and now Paxton, Perez and now Wacha. Renfroe was good so he traded him for a more expensive worse player.
The Red Sox had $73M drop off the books since Bloom arrived because Mookie cost $27M, Price $16M reduced, Panda and Pedroia are another $31M. Where did it go? The Red Sox are $5M under the cap as of today!!!
This is the guy everyone thinks is fixing things. Time passed and allowed him to have $31M simply drop off the books but he wasted it on trash. Now fans want good players and there is no money unless he strips the team of another highly paid player like Sale, Bogey, Eovaldi or JD. When there were six big contracts there was no real need to move anyone but if you were going to move someone Price was the logical first person to go.
Instead of moving Price and throwing in minor league players to make it attractive he threw in money which reduced the amount available under the cap thus handcuffing himself through stupidity and telling the fans it’s on DD not him. Bull crap!!!,
Like the putz that he is he got rid of half of Price salary and reduce available salary by $16M for three years. Since he didn’t have the savvy to find a way to move Price he further damaged the organization by shedding the best player rather than one of the other big contracts.
Who thinks like that? An inexperienced over his head new GM that’s who!!! If you had to pick two of six to move off the roster and the six are Mookie, Sale, JD, Bogey, Eovaldi and Price naturally the first person you think of is Price because he’s the biggest price tag. Then, from the other five I felt the order should have been Pedroia if possible then Eovaldi, then JD, then Bogey then Mookie. Bloom picked the best player first rather than last.
Mookie was making $27M and Boston was under the cap if you count the active players only so adding $9M for Mookie made more sense than keeping JBJ for $11M. Many have the misconception that Boston had to bump their payroll by $36M to give Mookie a long=term contract but that wasn’t true. All they had to do was raise payroll by $9M to keep Mookie. They paid $10M for Richards but wouldn’t pay Mookie an additional $9M!!! Insanity? Absolutely.. They will pay JBJ $9.5 and an $8M opt out in the next two seasons. Even more money that could have covered the cost of Mookie’s extension until after 2022 when the payroll would have tons of room!!!!
Which would you rather have? That’s why the Mookie deal was such an epic mistake. Bloom paid E-Rod nearly the equivalent of the Mookie bump knowing he wasn’t healthy and was likely to miss many starts!!! There was NEVER a legitimate excuse for not paying Mookie!!!
Kevin23 – The world is no different than 2 years ago when Bloom destroyed the franchise for at least half a decade by tossing Mookie and Price out the door. The active roster cost under DD was under the cap and retained salary was over $40M from mistakes made before DD. It’s two years later and Bloom increased Retained payroll from what would have been $0 to $16M. Those numbers count against him because they reduce the available money under the cap. Thus, when the team payroll in December is $5M short of the cap and ALL the retained payroll that caused the stupid mistakes of 2020 has rolled off one must ask oneself where the heck the money went. The answer is Bloom wasted it during two seasons without winning a Division Title or ring.
DD planned for the team to be great until 2022 when several of the contracts were to end and new blood was to come in. Mookie was to be in Boston along with Sale and Bogaerts. The big contracts that were to end were Price, JD and Eovaldi plus Pedroia was to be off the books. While running the team under the cap with active players he planned for $84M of the roughly $190M in payroll to roll off after the 2022 season. That was going to allow him to retool the team with younger expensive stars like Correa or Semien or whoever he could get for the $84M.
With Bloom running the team the new reality is after the 2022 season Boston will lose $16M of Price, $17M of Eovaldi and $22M of JD. That totals $55M available under the cap going into 2023. Yes the guy who was supposed to be such a smart acquirer of talent has spent $29M of the projected $84M DD had planned for and has nothing to show for it!!.
Maybe we should inventory the team going into 2023. Who will still be on the team?
Sale at $25.6M
Bogaerts at $20M
JBJ at $12M (these are luxury tax values not cash)
Barnes at $9.375M
With DD the list would have been:
Mookie at $36M
Sale at $25.6M
Bogey at $20M
Which starting point would you prefer?
There are many, many players planned for the 2023 roster that are arbitration or pre-arb that I didn’t list but there would be impact on total payroll under either scenario.
Let’s hope Bloom is fired before all that money becomes available and a savvy GM who understands how to contract top players joins the organization otherwise all that’s going to happen is Bloom will acquire another half dozen to dozen utility players or bad starters costing between $5M and $12M per year.
The idea is that this approach will create a sustainable winning culture!!! hahaha best joke ever. It will actually create lots of early draft picks and visions of rings that remain on the horizon forever or maybe just 86 years.
Wow, KD17, and I thought The Mets “Missed WAR” wrote long posts…
tmcca – Since John Henry got very angry in 2019 over that year’s debacle, he brought in Bloom and has instructed him to reduce payroll and operate with a much smaller budget going forward.
Do you realize in the past 3 years the largest free agent contract the Red Sox have given is just $14M total. And you seriously expect them to hand out over $200M to Correa? Not a chance, especially with Mayer expected to arrive in 2-3 years.
As for Story, why would they give him a 5-6 year $20M/per contract when they have Mayer coming? And Bloom has made it perfectly clear he has not and will not engage in bidding wars, which would be the case with Story as several other teams have an interest in him. Personally I think he will go to the Yankees, time will tell.
BTW – Bloom has already improved the infield defense by acquiring JBJ to move Hernandez back to 2B. I think the Red Sox will make another lame BS attempt to sign Xander to an extension, and then trade him for a package that includes a stopgap shortstop.
Everyone needs to realize, things have changed with the Red Sox. Henry will no longer allow them to be among the biggest three payrolls in MLB after the existing financial obligations are gone. That’s been the goal since Bloom took over late in 2019.
They didn’t pay to keep their franchise icon and 2nd-best player in MLB last year. They didn’t attempt to keep ERod except for a QO that they knew he would never accept. They have made zero effort to sign Xander or Devers to extensions. And Hernandez’s $14M free agent contract is the biggest they’ve given in 3 years. How many more clues do you need?
Henry wants Bloom to run the Red Sox like the Rays are run, which means no more going “all in” with big financial obligations except maybe one big contract like the Rays did with Longoria and then Franco.
Kevin – There’s a big difference between what Henry can afford and what he’s willing to spend. He simply does NOT want to go over the luxury tax threshold anymore, and he does NOT want to be among the top 3 payrolls anymore.
Red Sox 2022 payroll is already projected to be over $204M, that’s based on existing players and obligations. If the threshold remains the same, that leaves them with less than $6M more to spend. Unless they trade Xander or JD, they are basically done with acquiring big dollar contracts. They would love to trade Sale, but that’s not likely without eating a big chunk of his contract or including prospects with him.
And let’s take a quick look at the shortstop market …
Seager was projected to get $305M, he got $325M.
Semien was projected to get $138M, he got $175M.
Baez was projected to get $100M, he got $140M.
Correa was projected to get $320M … so what will he get, $35oM?
Do you REALLY think the Red Sox will give $350M to a guy like Correa, just two years after refusing to give more than $300M to Mookie?
Logic says heck no.
Rocky – Xander will 100% opt out unless he has a very bad season or serious injury.
JD can’t opt out after next season, because he will be a free agent. So if the Red Sox don’t want him after next season, he will be gone.
I do agree on the Yankees though, they will likely sign Story instead of Correa. After they sign Judge to an extension, they will have approx $90M tied up in 2022 by just three players … yikes!
No one read this post
As a lifelong fan of the Tigers, I’d absolutely love it as it’s not my money ($350+ million that it’ll take, thanks to the Texas Rangers giving Seager 10 years & $325 million). It’s well known around here though, that AA isn’t going to give any ONE guy well over $300+ million dollars. Personally, I’d rather have 3 Baez sized contracts versus 1 Correa contract. And in terms of who’s left, I’d probably prefer Story over Correa, too. Story’s a 30/30 threat. Correa doesn’t run at all, quite literally.
If freeman signs with Yankees and/or Red Sox it screws Correa period. I think Red Sox trying to up
Offer on Correa I agree. However, Story maybe a better fit anyway. I can’t believe Braves didnt meet Freeman demands not crazy.
I think it’s quite interesting that FF is still out there. If he leaves, it’ll be 100% Atlanta’s fault. Any “greed” that fans perceive to come from FF if he does sign elsewhere will just be Braves fans reacting to what they’ll undoubtedly feel like is some sort of backstabbing, imho. Having said all that, I STILL don’t think FF will be going anywhere. As a matter of fact, I think this “delay” in him signing is him actually showing respect for Atlanta by giving them time to come to terms with the fact that they’ll have to come off that 6th year. I say that because I have a strong feeling that Freeman can sign a 6-year deal anytime he wants, probably. He’s just waiting for Atlanta and if they FINALLY decide that they can’t give the 6th year, or he decides he’s sick and tired of waiting, then he’ll sign with someone else, imho. And if FF does leave, then Atlanta will probably sign Rizzo almost immediately.
Lol dragon. U must be a tiger fan because u may well be the only person alive that believes this.
The tigers will still sign him
How did this catch on?
He will still be by the tigers
He will still go somewhere other than the Tigers…
There ya go,fixed that for yas
No need to fix, I stand by my statement
Only slim way he signs with Tigers is if he agrees to less than 10 years. Possible if a few opt out years are included, but sounds like management doesn’t want to spend $30+ a year on one player
As he lingers on the market after the lockout, he may come down on years etc and substitute opt out years etc like many top end free agents do.
That way if the team and the experience do not meet expectations and/or if the market keeps going up, then he can re enter the market and get even more $$$$
Of course, the Tigers won’t sign him!
Nah, Avila has already publicly refused to give ANY one player $300+ million. Not to even mention that the 10 years part is even worse than the AAV. Besides, I’d rather have 3 Baez’s (basically) versus 1 Correa. Plus, Detroit seems to be perfectly happy with the league leading doubles leader at 3B (Candelario). Schoop at 2B and hopefully Torkelson at 1B. Going with Baez over Correa means that they could afford Story if they were going to go that route (signing 2 of the top SS like Texas) or could’ve afforded another top end SPer, but they’re all gone now, with Stroman signing with the Cubs. I have a feeling that if anyone tries to match what the Rangers have done in signing C. Seager, Semien and John Gray, it may be the Mariners. They already have Cy Ray and are rumored to be going for Story and Bryant. Seattle could get BOTH….with an IF of 3B-Bryant, SS-JP Crawford, 2B-Story and 1B-France. They could put Bryant in the OF too. Then, there’s always 1B options like Freeman (still probably resigning with the Braves), or Rizzo, (who I have a feeling that he’s going to sign with Boston for some reason).
A “we have nothing to talk about” article.
Totally, but good of us to support them with traffic despite there being literally 0% chance of anything happening.
They should take a break for next couple of months.
No news to report.
Rumors baseless.
I respect the hustle. I need content
Got to support MLBTR during these times.
Are we supporting them? Or is it really the other way around..lol.
So trueeeeee
At first glance I thought these four teams were just speculative picks. I’m surprised the Cubs have actually reached out.
Cubs make a lot of sense now they signed Stroman who is a extreme groundball pitcher along with Hendricks and Miley. With those guys you need a top notch defense behind them and they also need a middle of the order bat.
Cubs payroll is around 105-110 range after Stroman, so plenty of room to fit a 27 year old Correa especially if this rebuild is going to be short which appears it might be.
Don’t sleep in the Cubs
I will crawl right up in there and sleep in the Cubs if that’s what I’m feeling at that moment, trying to stop me is pointless
Cubs currently have a number of young middle infielders about 2 years away from Chicago. They won’t be signing any long term, big money contracts with any middle infielders. They need a LH hitter for the middle of the order and a couple relievers- and a defensive SS.
I would rather have a proven over a prospect
Jed could pick up Correa for SS then give Vogelbach a shot at the DH if it is implemented.
If the DH is a thing then
Ortega/Hoerner. CF
Schwindel 1B
Happ LF
Correa SS
Contreras/Gomes C
Vogelbach DH
Wisdom 3B
Heyward,Frazier RF
Madrigal 2B
It’s likely to be Brennen Davis in CF. Vogelbach is just a huskier Schwarber. The biggest difference is Schwarber is a lot better on defense.
Very intriguing team. Massive payroll room in a massive market. Really a nice fit age wise and culture wise. Quite the retool.
I wouldn’t mind Correa but only on a contract less than 8 years. Doubt he’ll do that though.
Cubs have jettisoned too may good players.
It could be 5 years before they are relevant again.
I don’t think that is what Correa had in mind.
He would go back to the Astros before he went to the Cubs.
If he signs with the Dodgers, I can’t wait to see their fans reaction.
No chance Dodgers sign Correa, they would signed Seager instead.
They tried but to match Texas offer they would have to have gone to $400 million because of taxes.
Correa will take $320 from LAD though
So you think there’s a 33% tax difference?
It could be very big. MLB players pay taxes based on where you actually play your games. Dodgers play angels, Padres, Dback, Rockies. and Giants. California is 12% for those who make over 1.2m. Colorado and Arizona are about 5% tax. Rangers play against Houston, Seattle, Oakland, and LA angels. No state tax in Texas or Washington. So that’s 100 games with a major tax difference. Roughly it would be 32.5m over 10 year’s. So yeah Dodgers have to over pay big time to even out the money.
Correa has already said publicly that he will consider state taxes, so it’d be the same situation as Seager
Then he should just stay in Houston.
Astros have a huge tax advantage. Probably in CC’s best interest to just stay.
Agreed!
Dodgers have plans but Correa is not in those plans
Gut tells me the Yankees and Dodgers will create a bidding war which ends with Cohen snatching him from both. Correa playing third for the Mets in 22.
Gut tells me you’re nuts! Ahahahahaha!
If you look at the Mets deals, their all short term with four years the most. That still leaves long term flexibility for still another big deal.
I wouldn’t be completely shocked to see Cohen prove to the MLB world he is the new top dog by signing…well, the top dog.
Gut told me, Your a fool
It’s a team effort between staff & posters, Clip.
I know a lot of Yankee fans would despise him signing with NY, but I wouldn’t really have an issue. He’s the best player available. The End.
Also: (can’t lie about this one) but some of the Yankee Nation meltdown would be pretty fun. (Just can’t help myself sometimes…) It would be better built-in trolling than Gary even can provide.
Just imagine his first Golden Sombrero or 2 error game or whatever. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. Ya know?
“9 more years of this cheating POS! I hate him! I hate you Brian Cashman!!” I’m not sure some of our more…delicate fans would make it, serious.
Yes, as a true Yankee fan I want no part of Correa. So let him go somewhere else. I would be fine with Trevor Story signing for 5 or 6 years and playing shortstop. If the Yankees want to sign Freddie Freeman for 5 years I would have no problem with that either. My guess is Freeman resigns with the Braves for 5 years with a club option.
As a Yankees fan I don’t want the Yankees to sign Correa either. Let some other team sign him!
Spot on, Ducky! Some NY fans have already soured on Cole and he wasn’t even part of the cheating Houston teams. They would destroy Correa once he goes into his first extended slump or even better, his first extended trip to the IL. It would be classic to follow that mayhem. Please sign him for pure entertainment value! I could see a Correa for Lindor swap in 2027 or 2028, once fan base has had enough of them.
One could argue that a “true Yankee fan” would expect to see the best players get signed. Like it or not, Correa is the best free agent this year. He would definitely make us better & would plug the hole at SS.
Personally, I would prefer something like Story & Rizzo instead. But that is purely for baseball reasons. I moved on from the sign stealing (for lots of reasons) thing a long time ago.
@sambino- right on brother! Correa disrespected a Yankee legend in Derek Jeter. I couldn’t look at that guy for another 10,11 or 12 years. Happy trails to Correa! Adios!
So you don’t want to sign a 27 year old coming into the prime of their career, but you do want to sign a 32 year old that is on the back end of their career?
Sounds about right for a Yankees fan!
How could Dodgers even consider “CHEATER” Correa? Regardless of his talent hope no team signs him. Let him feel the wrath and consequences of being a CHEATER!!!
@redwolves3 they had no problem with Betts, so doubt they’ll care
Nah. We don’t need Correa we got Dansby Swanson for at least 2022 (if there is a season…). Just give us Freddie back.
Yep. If they’re nitpicking with Freeman, there’s no way they get off their wallets for a Correa contract.
Correa to the cubs makes sense and with it they have a shot at being competitive sooner than later
Brand new report says correa reached out to Javy about playing for the cubs. Also says he expects him to sign with either the yanks or cubs. Lfggggg
Will the Cubs ownership spend like that? Genuinely curious given the huge sell off and constant Ricketts-bashing that I read.
Idk, it’s still a great question but as a cubs fan i am cautiously optimistic at the moment lol.
They’ve had a top 3 or 4 team payroll for a number of years. It’s not the money. Ricketts opened up his wallet for Theo to build that WS team but they needed a reset.
I’m not saying it’ll be Correa or anything as a Cubs fan. It’s def a pipe dream. But stroman is already recruiting. And if you sign stro to a 3 yr with an opt out offer 2yrs, you ain’t rebuilding. Watch out for a Correa/story cubs commit. I just don’t see them backing off from one of them.
If they spend that big, I would’ve thought they would’ve gone after Seager. They need a big LH bat in that lineup.
I’m hoping the Mets get Donaldson and Rodgers from the twins. Would cost nothing (assuming we pay the contracts)
Regardless of the talent as a Dodgers fan I hope we don’t sign him. I don’t think Andrew is that far removed from reality to think that the Dodger faithful are over 2017, 2020 world series or not. He’s the only player that still puts up the middle finger to everyone while almost every other star in Houston has stayed quiet. Me personally I’m over 2017, I’m 36 and I had been been waiting since I was 3 years old to see the Dodgers win a world series and 2020 was everything I could ever hope for.
Why Dodgers fans have no problem cheering Betts. Who was part of the Red Sox team that did the same thing
Lol they did not do nearly the same thing
Not surprised people don’t have a problem with Mookie. MLB failed to document a single instance of cheating in their extensive investigation of the Red Sox. They speculated without evidence to conclude the Red Sox illegally stole signs in isolated incidents. Very unfair to the Red Sox and Red Sox fans. The report is still on MLB.com.
whether you cheat in a $1.00 ante poker game or in $100.000.00 one cheating is cheating.
It wasn’t as bad and Mookie wasn’t pompous like Carlos
RedSox did not do anything close to what the Astros did. Correa is a great player but he is a punk. No way the Dodgers tick off the fan base and the players by signing this guy.
fox471 – Ticking off the fan base isn’t the reason not to sign him. They have Trea Turner to play SS, Justin Turner to play 3B, Chris Taylor for 2B and Bellinger or many others to play 1B. There isn’t a NEED for Correa other than hording which LAD has been known to do.
The team has other holes and is roughly $25M over the luxury tax threshold 1 and $5M over the luxury tax threshold 2. Correa puts them over the critical threshold 3. It makes no sense for a non need.
I think they give the 2B job to Lux if he doesn’t completely regress from where he ended in 2021. I think CT3 will literally play everywhere and get plenty of AB’s but I think that’s the best option.
You also forgot Muncy. Bellinger is the CF unless he spends another season unable to hit himself out of a wet paper bag
captainsalty – I left off Muncy due to his elbow. It’s unclear when he’ll be available. Bellinger definitely goes to the outfield if Muncy is healthy but as a fantasy player I’m not sure about keeping Muncy because he may not make opening day or worst case he end up doing the surgery and misses the season. I hope he’s there opening day but I think it’s unlikely.
I also agree that Lux would be a bonus if he could start at 2B and use Bellinger and Taylor in the outfield.
I heard Muncy is expected to be available to open the season.
Don’t forget Edwin Rios who should be back this year
THEY DID NOT!
Huge difference between Mookie Betts and Correa. I’d suggest Yankees fans feel very differently about the two as well.
Some Red Sox players got busted with getting text messages with, which pitches were coming, with their smart watches. When MLB investigated it, they found they had been doing it since 2013. Betts was one of the players. The 2018 Red Sox, got busted with using the center field scoreboard to signal the hitters, which pitch was coming. So spare me he didn’t cheat crap.
Whoa, I didn’t see that! I did not realize he received electronic communications regarding pitches. That’s disappointing, man, if that’s true. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen / read that confirmation though.
You’re not allowed to wear a watch during a game. People in the dugouts had watches that the pitch spotters in centerfield would text the sign to, the dig out then had to relay that to the hitter. I could be wrong and if I am it should be pretty easy to prove with a picture of a player in the box wearing a watch.
angelsfan4life: The only thing the Red Sox were caught doing was using an Apple watch in the dugout to receive stolen signs in 2017. That’s all that has ever been found. As for 2018, the Red Sox did not use the center field scoreboard to signal hitters. MLB found no evidence of illegal sign stealing after investigating the 2018 Red Sox for months. I recommend people read the original accusation article by The Athletic and then read MLB’s investigation report. You will be shocked to see that MLB admitted they “largely do not have direct evidence” of illegal sign stealing. MLB found no evidence after months of investigation and made “inferences” (which are guesses) to conclude the Red Sox cheated. Nothing in The Athletic’s article was confirmed. Don’t take my word for it. Read for yourself. I can only guess that MLB chose to reach a conclusion based on speculation so they wouldn’t look dumb for opening the investigation.
You mad bro?
Just make that whole story up Angelfan?
watches don’t have to be worn on wrist only.
Smacky: No Red Sox players have ever been caught wearing a watch on the field. That would be caught in a second. In 2017, the Red Sox sent signs to an Apple watch in the dugout from the video room next door. If they had just used a person to relay the info, they would not have been in trouble. MLB rules changed after that making any use of the video room to steal signs illegal.
watches don’t have to be worn on wrist only.
Yes, we’ve all seen Pulp Fiction.
Shuddup idiot! You know NOTHING!
WRONG! You are just patently lying!
angelsfan4life2 days ago
Some Red Sox players got busted with getting text messages with, which pitches were coming, with their smart watches.
==================================
I am curious how that would work. I’ve never seen a player wearing a watch while hitting. If you don’t have a watch, how do you get a text?
Joe – They keep their watches on vibrate in their pants. One text is fastball, two texts is slider, three texts is curve.
Devers prefers a tablet though, that’s why his pants are so big.
@Clip
See?
I’m just a bad person.
*60 game season Champions
I don’t call a 60 game season a true season and I don’t call that tournament they won a World Series.
It’s about time to start quoting “unnamed sources” & making stuff up. Ahahahaha!
No chance Dodgers sign Correa, they would have signed Seager if anything.
Not sure what the Braves have planned for shortstop, Swanson or life after his current contract but they will not sign Correa. Holding out on an extra year for Freeman but in on a mega deal for Correa, I highly doubt it…
What I think is team do the homework and just see what agents say. Could be someone drops down price wise or wants just a one year contract as the market maybe not right. Also a lot of agents represent many players. So be like while you on the phone let’s talk about this player.
Most front offices put in countless hours figuring things out don’t think many contracts signed as just one call and done.
If Freeman resigns 6 years at 32 million while 10 years at 32 million also for Correa isn’t as crazy as it first sounds. Especially as we see talent cost more and more as years go by
Interesting that the Braves would be checking in. Even if Freeman didn’t resign, how would that work? You’d deal Dansby?
Move Dansby to 1B. Duh.
This may be stupid, just FYI, as I am not familiar with Swanson’s full capabilities; but is he able to play the OF with his speed as Acuna recovers?
Not implying they’re getting Carlos, just wondering if he has.
I believe that if Atlanta looses Freeman they will end up making the trade for Matt Olson a Georgia boy and signing him long term. I don’t think Correa is a realistic target long term.
Swanson is a Atlanta area kid too so I could easily see him taking a good discount to resign with Atlanta for 2-3 years this off season.
Atlanta young core; Atlanta window for winning just opening up could attract some free agent to take less money and less years to get that World Series ring.
That’s why I am against adding rounds to the playoffs becomes more about get lucky or hot than having a good team
Didn’t Jeff Passan say Correa and Seager would “definitely” be signed before the lockout? And when i called BS, everyone called me ‘ill-informed’, ‘stupid’, ‘idiot’, etc. Seager signed so he can save face, but i still think he’s a dope.
Do you want an apology or something?
Well you may still be an ill informed, stupid idiot but even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Nobody cares about this tool
Interesting in that the Seager signing should set this market. If not for the trash can fiasco, in my view he’s more valuable. I’m thinking he will get a higher AAV but not as long. Perhaps Seven years at $250m. Or a creative deal 10 at $330m to top Seager’s but with the first seven totaling $240m and year eight has a team option that pays a $10 m buyout.
The trash can stuff is only an issue with fans, as it is well established it was (hopefully still isn’t ) a league wide issue. And won’t be an issue to his new team’s fans, assuming he stays a star.
I don’t think it is just the fans. It certainly still resonates with the players as well, which we’ve seen as late as the playoffs just over a month ago. Maybe not ownership, but if you don’t think ownership will use that to drive his price point down when he starts spewing his offensive stat line out, I beg to differ.
It was never well established it was a league wide issue. Did the institutions let the inmates out tonight?
I can PICTURE him as an Angel
Losing games 10-9 is fun for you guys right?
Go get some pitching.
It worked in 79 and 82. BTW we are getting pitching.
Really? Who?
Angels1961- Me Too
I still think the Nationals sign him. But also could see it being the Angels. It would free up the option of trading infield prospects, for pitching help
i doubt arte would go for a proven cheater.
Oh please, please please let it be the dodgers.. A fitting replacement for Puig. Just one more social media/ camera hog to replace (name redacted). After Correa pointed to his wrist, indicating “my time is now” he went 1 for 71.. Tanked faster than Bregman did after handing his bat to the first base coach.
Don’t need to win if Twitter loves ya!
Signed, a Giants fan.
For the money does Correa give you that much more? You’d think that for $400 million he’d make a $375 million difference? I don’t.
No way, which is why a team, like the Yankees, with multiple holes to fill, needs to get a competent SS and fill the other holes to be much more effective. Plus, consider how many injuries he’s had as well. If a team plans on him making that big a difference and he gets injured again, they’ve been taken out of competition completely.
Yankees and Boston I. my view (as well as others close to the threshold) are waiting to see the implications of the new CBA.
Article had nothing fresh to say – the only team that makes any sense at all for Correa is potentially the Cubs as a large market team that can spend $$ if they want to. Carlos might have overplayed his hand here – not that many teams want to spend $300M for 10 years with a history of back trouble – at a young age. Astros offered him the same yearly money as Seager but for half the time. If CC really believes in himself, you take that offer, have a productive 5 years and sign your last big contact when you are still only 32.
Simien just did.
There’s no law that says your DH has to be a terrible fielder. Braves could bring in CC and keep Dansby. Let Dansby play a little third, Riley play a little first. Rotate guys through at DH. If they were in on Verlander they’ve got more money to spend. It doesn’t have to be Correa or Freeman. They could sign both of them and still avoid the luxury tax. They’re making a fortune off the battery and the WS run.
imagine for the fun of it correa as bostons shortstop and somehow Xander playing second, will never happen but DAMN, imagine that lineup and infield
I’ll pass
Xander playing third, Devers to 1B/DH
Well, I doubt very highly it’s the Yankees. They’ve shown a strong aversion to contracts like this, with only few exceptions, since the multi-layered, progressive tax penalties.
If NYY & LAD are truly out, who does that leave that can really spend that kind of money? TX could have, obviously, but they’re out. Mets have Lindor, but they’ve been making desperation moves, so maybe?
Boston probably {could} and it would be very fitting, with Cora at their helm and Correa’s anti-Yankees posturing. Moving the less-defensively-adept X-man to 2nd (or 3rd). So realistically, that leaves these possibilities:
Boston
Chicago
Mets(?)
Braves (If the don’t sign Freeman)
Nationals (w/deferred payments until 3022)
Any other team I’m missing that fits the criterion of needing a SS, having the requisite budget & willingness of ownership to spend, & isn’t NYY or LAD?
Seattle, but Correa would have to play 3B cuz of JP.
These are long shots but…..
Colorado
Philadelphia
Return to Houston
I’m still shocked that Seager didn’t sign with the Yankees. Although Correa seems like the next man up, I don’t see the Yankees fans warming up to him ever. On top of this, I think his relationship with the media will be toxic.
On the other hand, Trevor Story for on & off the field as well as value is the route to go I believe.
Yeah, not to mention Story is the smarter play, imho. Frees up money to pursue options at other vacancies, and frees up substantial currency when their payroll drops off in ‘23. They could a portion of the remaining money to lock up Judge, for example.
Seager got more than I anticipated and rightfully signed while it was on the table. Texas has no tax implications whereas the Yankees and others need to know the new CBA first. The Mets with new ownership and deep pockets is the exception
The Yankees aren’t going there. If they wanted him it would’ve been done by now.
The new CBA implications are in my view holding NY back
Yes, very much so. But I don’t really think Hal minds that, honestly. He saves money either way.
I read a rumor that the Tigers would still sign him (see above)…
He’s going back to Houston on a short term 3/4 year deal
I’d be surprised; I hear there masseuse is a bear!
At this point, PHI should throw an offer for 8 yrs and opt outs after years 2 & 4
I’ve been waiting for the Phillies to get into the action.
I have no doubt Correa will end up in Philly. Going into 2023, they will have 3 players under contract (Harper, Wheeler and Realmuto) and 2 on team options (Nola and Segura). They have the GM (DD) that has continued to show that money is no object and they have 64m+ available this year and 94m+ next year.
I’m a Mariners fan so I have no coals in the fire here cuz I hope the Ms don’t overpay for a cheater but Correa to the cubbies just seems like a really good fit to me
I’m an Astros fan and I have really appreciated Carlos‘s efforts. I can’t forget though that he has a long injury history, and 10 years is a long, long time. How many times do we have to see lengthy contracts go south and handcuff a team. I would love to see the Astros sign him for 5, 6 or even 7 years, but 10 years is crazy and borderline stupid
I agree 10 year deals are crazy. I might take a chance on one with a very young player such as Wander Franco.
Ok maybe, but not someone who’s already 27 and frequently injured.
Agreed.
Here’s a twist: Correa to the Fish
I was expecting them to get either Baez or Correa. So, it wouldn’t surprise me.
So, now he’s selling groceries?
Correa needs to go the way of Pete Rose.
I see the Yankees and Cubs as the only real players for Correa. The Cubs have a ton of money to spend so theoretically they could outbid anyone if they seriously wanted him. However I don’t think a guy as competitive as Correa will want to sit through couple years of a rebuild.
Enter the Yankees who would benefit greatly from Correa’s skills on both sides of the ball. I’m not sure if they’d be willing to give him a record breaking 10 year deal but they could get creative.
Something that could interest Correa is an 8 year deal worth $280M with $135M front loaded in the first three years and an opt out after that third year. It wouldn’t give him the most total money for a SS but it would set the SS AAV record at $35M. The first three years would also pay a record $45M per year.
Correa could then choose to opt out and test free agency again as a 30 year old if he’s confident in getting a better deal or he could opt in to the remaining 5 years at a still respectable $29M per year.
A deal like this would give Correa a ton of leverage while also allowing the Yankees to avoid handing out a 10 year deal
i TOTALLY forgot DD was in the phillies front office, ok now that makes sense, but you need to see his view, meaning daves, he gets the prizes when he KNOWS the team is gonna win, like when he signed Chris sale, bad decision? absolutely! but we did get a WS out of the deal, so in order to really get carlos he will need to get more to make him see the teams in ‘ win now’ mode, and i dont get their games, i have no idea how bad or good the phillies are, and not being in the American league, the red sox dont play them that often.
i honestly see a complete darkhouse team that did NOTHING this month sign correa, im talking like the reds or kansas city, pull every dime you have an overpay him more than anyone else can, then sell that to your fanbase, it WONT happen, but can you imagine the headlines?-
‘ the Pittsburgh pirates signed SS carlos correa’ fans would legite start crying.
dougdeb@hotmail.com. As a Royals fan we won’t sign him. We have Bobby Witt JR to play SS. Also Correa is a cheater. The only place he can go is Houston. If he were to sign in LA I hope they immediately put him in the minors to rot for 10 years. That would be the ultimate payback.
Lol
Imo among the teams listed above, the cubs honestly seem most likely. They have the need and plenty of money to spend. Next would be Boston, I can see the fit there. Astros may up their bid to bring back their homegrown star but they seem content letting him walk. Dodgers I’d think would’ve just brought back Seager. Too much bad blood with Yankees so don’t see that. Atlanta will bring back freeman instead. I can still see Seattle making a surprise play for him though.
I’m sorry, and maybe I’m completely outrageous to say this, but….. ain’t no way the Braves will sign CC. The financial commitment to him (deservingly so) will be far too high for the Braves to remotely consider this. If I had to guess, this is simply the Braves doing their due diligence and simply checking in to see if there is any remote shot in this universe that a guy of his talent would/wants to come play for the Braves at an extreme discount. What’s the worse they are gonna say? No? Lol I guess the conversation is worth having in the .0000000000001% chance that he would entertain it, much less say yes right? Lol. Of course they are two different players at two different points in their careers, but if freeman is too rich for the Braves at 6 years $200 million after being more productive thus far, consistent, and the face of the franchise… then CC is on a different planet in terms of what the Braves can or will spend on a player
Would they have re-signed FF if they signed Verlander? I think they would’ve. They’ve got a little money to spend this year. I think CC is an option if he drops the 10 year ask. I don’t see anyone going that long with his injury history. AA typically doesn’t do FA deals for longer than 4-5 years. A high AAV on a 4 year deal would put him back in FA in his early 30’s.
He won’t get $350 million for ten years. Too injury prone. He should have take the Tigers offer of 8 years $275 million
Houston throws in drum lessons and he resigns!
Boston? I’d rather pay Mookie.
According to his representative, Oscar the Grouch, Carlos “Trash Can” Correa was contacted by multiple teams before the MLB instituted its transaction freeze.
Stick with Dansby. Spend your money on Freeman. 6 years, $185.
He’s not signing with a Cubs Red Sox Yankees Rangers Rays pirates or Orioles. After that? Anyone’s guess.
A’s?
Seriously?
The Cubs are the kings here. If they decide they want him, nobody else can offer what they can. Once Jed decides, others can then offer. Just not until then.
There are plenty of teams that can offer what the cubs can offer and more. The cubs are not special, money is money.
I wish the Twins would seriously consider him. If they had drafted him they would be making every effort to sign him long term, so just pretend like you had. He would be such a stud at a very needed spot in that lineup. Buxton and Correa together!?! I can seriously only dream of it.
As a Twins fan, no thank you
Why not the Nationals? In some respects, it would be Jason Werth 2.0, signaling they intend to be viable sooner rather than later. After all, they don’t want to waste Juan Soto’s time before he becomes a free agent, and their ownership hasn’t shown a tendency toward rebuilding. Sign Correa and they fast track their return to respectability.
As is, I have a hard time seeing where Correa nets a contract that starts with a 3, and he may have to settle for a shorter deal with a high AAV that allows him to opt out in a year or two.
There is a .000001% chance he signs with the Braves.
This article stating the Dodgers might come into play is just ridiculous! Lmao! There ain’t no way they’re going to: 1. Pay $300m for another shortstop when they could have signed Seager for that. 2. Sign that ahole from the astros. They ain’t signing anyone that had a hand in 2017 World Series.
Never underestimate the power of Arte Moreno to swoop in at the last moment and undermine his GM with another stupid long-term contract on a position player.
It would not surprise me if the Detroit Tigers swooped in at the last minute after the lockout ends and signed Carlos Correa. Javier Baez could be moved to 2B or 3B.
Tigers could trade a surplus infielder for another young starter and/or bullpen help.
Giants also have a bunch of money coming off their books.
They could be a late player for Correa
Cubs just leaking fake interest to keep fans engaged. If they were smart they’d use the money on Rizzo and Bryant.
Dodgers fans would NEVER accept Carlos Correa. He would be booed every single day.
I don’t see an obvious fit for the crazy money he is going to require after Semien and Seager signed.