NYY hates you for the first sentence.
The Yankees are the sole front runner for anyone they want. Just ask them.
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Where do the Astros fit? 2?
Can you imagine Correa ( or any of the stars from 2017) going to the Yankees or Dodgers?
Say what you want about ownership and teams only caring about performance and winning, I can’t imagine the fan base or locker room reaction and issues that would need to be worked through.
Neither players nor fan base are remotely able to move on.
Kelly and Bellinger beat on a daily basis?
I would pay to see that !!
In my opinion, the Astros are still the most likely destination for Correa, but Lindor’s performance after signing his mega deal with the Mets, and the glut of impending free agent shortstops gives the team plenty of leverage. Right now, the Astros have plenty of good options to replace Correa this offseason. Free agent shortstops include Trevor Story, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Javier Baez, Brandon Crawford and Andrelton Simmons (simply for his defense). Kris Bryant is a free agent at third base, and the Astros could move Bregman back to shortstop. Nolan Arenado might opt out of his long-term deal, too. Starling Marte is a free agent in center field, and he would be an upgrade on Straw. Besides Greinke and Verlander, Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw are also free agents, though I find it hard to believe Kershaw leaves the Dodgers.
I think it was perfectly understandable that the organization wanted Carlos to prove his body can hold up to a 162-game schedule while also hitting at an elite level before giving him a deal around or above $200 million. He’s had years where he hits at an elite level but missed a lot of games, and, last year, he stayed reasonably healthy, but he had a poor regular season.
That said, the Astros have enough money coming off the books to make it work, and Jim Crane is a smart businessman. Correa only turns 27 in September, and he’s a face of the franchise. This isn’t like signing Springer to a long-term deal at age 31. Also, the Astros now have passionate fan base that will not be happy if the team lets two elite, core players leave in back-to-back seasons without adequately replacing them. Finally, Crane likes to win. (see Zack Greinke trade)
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I would agree.
I only put Detroit above Houston because Click and Crane may stick to their “no 7+ yr contracts”
If they dont go 8+ yrs I think Detroit will.
My hope is that they can work out a shorter high AAV deal with an.opt out that appeals to Correa. Gives him a chance to opt out and sign a 30+ mil AAV deal at 29 or 30 years old if he has 2 or 3 very good seasons.
I really only see Detroit, Baltimore, and Angels as options besides Houston.
Add Dodgers and Yankees in market.
And Seager, Baez, Story, and Semien in competition for those 6 teams.
The Giants, Reds, Twins, and Cubs will fight over Crawford, Iglesias, Simmons, and Galvis.
I can also see:
Baez resign with Cubs or accept QO
Crawford resign with Giants
Seger resign with Dodgers
Yankees trade Torres to one of these teams if they sign one of the big 5 ( Story)
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I think the most important variable, still in play at the moment, is just what is Carlos worth? I hope the Astros put a fair value on his ability, raise it some for his leadership abilities, offer that to him and let it play out.
If Arte Moreno is stupid enough to spend the Pujols’ savings on another hitter when the Angels have one of the worst pitching staffs in MLB, he’s a fool.
Personally, I see the Giants, Rangers and the Red Sox as the biggest threats for Correa. The Giants because they have a huge budget and a lot of money coming off the books. They were heavily in on Bryce Harper a few seasons ago. The Red Sox because of the Cora factor and they have enough financial wiggle room to make it work. To accomodate, they could shift Bogaerts to 2B. The Rangers because they would love to stick it to the Astros, and they need a face of the franchise for their new ballpark. However, I can’t see Crane letting Correa leave for Arlington. The same goes for the Angels. (It’s bad enough to not have him in an Astros’ uniform, but you certainly don’t want him joining a division rival.)
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I completely agree about the Angels. They have 2 young hitting stars in Ohtani and Walsh and $92 committed to Trout, Rendon, and Upton.
They need to spend money on pitching.
As for Boston, it could happen but I don’t see them moving Bogaerts off of SS. They are more likely to keep Arroyo and Kiki at 2nd and go after a big time 1b or OF. And If they were to spend $300 mil it would have been on Betts.
As for the Rangers, if this was 2023 instead of 2022 I would agree with you. The Rangers got screwed as bad as anyone by COVID. They lost the entire year of fan revenue in a brand new ballpark. They need to recover that before they start spending, and are currently happy with Kiner-Felafa
As for the Giants, they have a stud SS prospect Luciano, who could become the face of the franchise. I don’t see them making more than a 2 or max 3 yr commitment.
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Keep in mind that in two or three years Carlos may move to 3B, whether it’s to make room for a stud prospect or because of physical decline. The latter has been speculated here often enough.
The Giants resigning Crawford reduces the potential suitors.
The Dodgers trading for Trea Turner also, but that was very unlikely in my opinion.
However the Rangers, apparently are looking to spend and this would be exactly the splash they would like. Taking away from Houston would be the cherry
The Rangers will lose >100 games this year and traded away their last star a month ago. They are very, very far away from needing a Correa type free agent. He would be ARod 2.0 for them, and that’s being generous.
Also, dear 8lb 6oz baby Jesus, please let Correa end up in NYY, LA, or even STL before he signs in Arlington.
I don’t think the Rangers go after Correa either. Off the top of my head I see Detroit, Oakland, LAA, Seattle, Philadelphia, Miami, St Louis and the Cubs all in on Correa. Not sure about Seattle or Oakland, but the rest of them have the money and I think the willingness to spend.
I think he ends up in Detroit or St Louis.
Detroit will likely be a player, but I don’t see the Cardinals having the money unless Arenado opts out.
The rebuilding Cubs aren’t spending on Correa. If they wanted to pay a shortstop, they would have kept Baez. Oakland and a premier free agent? Zero chance. Same with Miami. I could see Seattle, but I think they would rather unite the Seager brothers than give out a massive deal to Correa. As for the Angels, I wouldn’t rule it out, but if they don’t use the Pujols’ money on pitching, Arte Moreno is a fool. Philadelphia is in a similar boat as the Angels, but I won’t rule them out. Gregorius and Segura are both under contract for 2022, but someone could move to 3B.
I could see the Red Sox with Cora being willing to move Bogaerts to 2B for Correa, or the Yankees with an underwhelming Torres being involved. However, Aaron Judge is a free agent after next season, and he’s going to get a massive deal, too.
Based on what I read IF the Rangers decide to spend on a shortstop, then Story is the front runner.
Local ties, or something.
He grew up in the Dallas area.
I hope the Rangers give him a ton of money and he continues his career trend of not hitting outside of Coors Field.
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I posted this in another thread, I think, but the Tal’s Hill site said The Athletic’s Correa quote was months old.
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Unfortunately I think it’s true though.
Unless they can work out a higher AAV contract that’s for 6 years with an opt out.
I don’t think Correa will accept less than 8yrs and don’t think the Astros go more than 6