Carlos Correa agrees to six-year, $200 million deal with Twins after fallout with Mets: source
A source confirmed to the Daily News that the shortstop has a deal in place with the Minnesota Twins for a six-year, $200 million contract pending a physical. with a vesting option that can bring the total to $270 million over 10 years, pending a physical. The physical is once again key, as deals for the 28- year-old have fallen through with the San Francisco Giants...
The Carlos Correa saga may finally be coming to an end, but it does not appear to be ending in the Mets’ favor.
A source confirmed to the Daily News that the shortstop has a deal in place with the Minnesota Twins for a six-year, $200 million contract pending a physical. with a vesting option that can bring the total to $270 million over 10 years, pending a physical.
The physical is once again key, as deals for the 28-year-old have fallen through with the San Francisco Giants and the Mets in recent weeks because of concerns spotted on the physical.
The Twins know Correa’s body better than most, having medically cleared him to finalize a three-year contract last March. They also conducted exit medical exams following the 2022 season. Correa opted out of the final two years ($70.2 million) of his contract to become a free agent.
The Mets and Correa had a deal in place for a 12-year, $315 million contract that came together late in the night of Dec. 20, just hours after negotiations fell through with the Giants for a 13-year, $350 million contract.
Guaranteed money seems to be the crux of the decision. The Mets were trying to rework the terms to include language about his leg, which could have meant anything from performance bonuses to voided years on his contract should another surgery be required.
The concerns stem from the surgery he underwent to repair a fracture fibula and minor ligament damage in 2014. Teams cannot disclose the results of medical examinations, but sports orthopedic specialist Dr. Laith Jazrawi of NYU Langone recently told the Daily News what the clubs likely found was post-traumatic arthritis and cartilage damage, which could necessitate surgery within 5-10 years.
Correa, a two-time All-Star and the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year has never missed time at the Major League level with a right leg or ankle injury.
Without Correa, the Mets’ payroll will be north of $350 million. Factoring in the luxury tax bill, the club will end up paying around $444 million. Without Correa, the team still looks to be a contender in the National League. They have Eduardo Escobar at third base signed through next season and Brett Baty, a top prospect, will no longer have to move to the outfield.
This doesn’t create somewhat of an awkward situation for Escobar, whom the Mets were looking to trade after the completion of the Correa deal. Escobar was a valuable piece of a 101-win Mets team last season, slashing .240/.295/.430 with a .726 OPS, 20 home runs and a 106 OPS+. But Baty is now the heir apparent at third base with Mark Vientos right behind him.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.
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