It wasn’t any secret that Carlos Correa was looking to score big in free agency, and the shortstop set a very high asking price prior to the lockout. According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter), Correa was asking for at least a $330MM contract, with an overall range of $330MM to $350MM. It is unclear whether or not this pause in the baseball offseason could impact Correa’s demands, or if his position atop the free agent market will keep him relatively immune to the lockout’s effects on the market as a whole, even though teams will have less time to negotiate prior to the start of the season.
Correa was clearly targeting a pair of other recent mega-deals for shortstops — the ten-year, $325MM pact Corey Seager signed with the Rangers just prior to the lockout, and the ten-year, $341MM extension Francisco Lindor signed with the Mets last spring. (Lindor’s contract also stands as the third-richest baseball contract ever, behind the Mike Trout and Mookie Betts extensions.) Prior to the offseason, MLB Trade Rumors projected Correa to land ten years and $320MM as the winter’s top free agent deal, though with Seager already topping that price, it stands to reason that Correa would set his sights even higher.
With Seager, Marcus Semien, and Javier Baez already landing new contracts within an extremely loaded free agent shortstop market, Correa and Trevor Story are the top shortstops remaining, and a great deal of speculation remains over whether either player will land. The uncertainty around Story mainly focuses on his comparatively average 2021 season and questions about his production away from Coors Field, while with Correa, the primary question may be which team is willing to step up and meet his contract demands.
The Rangers and Tigers have already made their big shortstop signings, though Detroit (a big pre-winter favorite to land Correa) is perhaps still a candidate if the Tigers looked to pair up both Correa and Baez within the infield. Other teams like the Dodgers, Braves, Cubs, Red Sox, Astros, and Yankees had also been in touch with Correa before the lockout, and it is always possible that a new suitor or two could emerge amidst the transactional frenzy that is sure to ensue when the lockout ends. Depending on what happens in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, an altered set of financial rules could very well bring more teams into the mix for Correa’s services.
Since Correa just hired the Boras Corporation as his new representatives yesterday, it’s probably safe to assume that he isn’t now willing to settle for a discount, given Scott Boras’ penchant for wanting top dollar for his clients. Just within this shortstop market alone, Boras represented both Seager and Semien as they combined for $500MM from the Rangers. Between deferrals, opt-out clauses, “swellopts,” and other contractual language, Boras has used any number of creative tactics over the years to get his clients their desired salary, while also making teams feel more comfortable about their financial outlay.
$330 million is a generous donation to Carlos Tulowitzki.
I was guessing Correa would get exactly 10/$330M. I wonder what Boras makes every year. He has to be the highest paid person involved in any professional sport. Just between the 3 players Semien, Seager and Correa I’m counting he’s going to make well over $40 million this year alone… and that’s if he doesn’t get another single player to sign a contract. Boras has to clear around $100 million every year. Maybe a lot more. What does he get, about 5% of every contract his clients sign?
He has a huge business with 75 employees, sports facility, team doctors etc.
Its not going in his pocket
It’s 40 mill over ten years or so
Boras makes plenty of money. He lives in a ritzy area of Newport Beach (not like there’s a bad area of Newport Beach), has a big office in Newport Beach right near the very desirable Fashion Island.
Generally agents make about 5% to possibly 10% of a contract but can take in upwards of 20% on endorsements. That’s where the big money is.
He does have a big staff, training grounds, etc. as mentioned above. He does reinvest in his business rather than just pocketing it all. But he pockets plenty.
If you’ve seen pictures of Scott Boras, he clearly frequents the same barbers as Donald Trump, Pete Rose and Tony la Russa. They have the same orange tint. Wherever that barbers is – and I trust you MLBTR readership to out the “ginger magician” I’d like a short back and orange just to listen & learn from the conversation….
MLB agents get up to 5% of the contracts their clients sign.
That’s part of the reason he has such a successful agency. His staff and facilities are part of the allure of joining.
He’s worth $450 mil so he’s doing something right.
Trump, Rose and LaRussa? What a strange trio to share anything with!
His agency earned $161 million in commissions on $3.2 billion worth of contracts signed by his clients in 2020 according to Forbes. He employs 75 people full time and has a complete training facility so a small portion of that was profit that he gets to keep. Forbes said $27 million.
less than some average major league players. But players deserve more right? lmao
In Hollywood agents get more than that. 10+%.
Woe to the team that makes that deal…
I just don’t see a scenario where any team agrees to that.
Did you see a scenario where Seager got $325?
No, but other than Texas, what other team is spending “stupid money” this off season?
Yeah, Seager doesn’t steal or play great defense. 325 was too much.
Lindor got $341m.
Lindor is a six tools player, with plus 30hr season and 100rbis, had a weak 2021 season in a new league and city, nevertheless his game against the Yankees was a game Correa haven’t had or will never have. That game against the Yankees was priceless…
youtu.be/hb5GZCTJMCE
For the same reason we shouldn’t judge Lindor for one season, CC shouldn’t get paid for one nice season, or in total postseason having more strikeouts than rbis and cheating with a big mouth or a mouth without an EPA approve filter. CC and his glass body doesn’t worth what he is asking. If you want a bad chemistry in your team or another Yasiel Puig, go ahead, be my guest with your WAR numbers limited vision.
There are only 5 tools. Lindor has 4 of them. As far as who is better, here is what Baseball Reference has to say. baseball-reference.com/players/l/lindofr01.shtml#b… and baseball-reference.com/players/c/correca01.shtml#b…
Correa is much better offensively and Lindor has a slight edge on defense.
How would signing Correa be, in any way, comparable to having Puig on your team? Never heard a bad thing from a teammate about Correa.
Before the offseason started I thought he would get right around $300M or maybe just a hair over. I was also thinking Seager would top out at $300 million max though. If Seager got $325 million I think Correa gets at least that much. Probably a hair over Seager which would put him right in line for $330 million. Correa was always projected to get the biggest contract this offseason and I’m sure he’s going to push for that. His value has to be considered similar to Seager since he was ranked/projected better than him. I’m not saying anyone would be wise to pay him that but I think some owner will eventually sign that contract.
Correa now has a reduced market. He will not get 300 m let alone more.
What’s his reduced market?
Tigers were the only team that potentially went in another direction, who else ?
If anything I’d say Seager going rather unexpectedly to the Rangers would help Correa’s market.
The Yanks (or any other team) can’t sit back and play one off the other now. It is pretty much Correa or bust if you want a stud SS.
I could macro economics giving some pause here. Rising rates, Nasdaq in official correction off its November highs.
If Correa gets $381 for 11 years hiring Boras, I hope it’s with any team, out there that’s not the Yankees. I can’t root for this guy. I won’t cheer for him either. I’m fine with him going to the Red Sox if that’s what they want to do. This is a me player. I don’t want to watch this player everyday on my favorite team. Trevor Story is a better person, not a better player. That’s who I want the Yankees to sign.
What team is in the market for a $300MM SS? No one in NLW. No one in ALW. No one in ALC. No one in ALE. Only teams with a need and budget is CHC and WSH. Being both are rebuilding, its not known if this is how they wish to rebuild.
Hurts his market actually. One less stupid team looking to spend obscenely.
Agreed. He seems like the type to decline the second he signs on that dotted line. No thank you.
I’ve been saying that all off season long and I catch hell every time I say it! He is paper mache, and he will break down once he gets his $$$. He has had health issues his entire career, and straight up lucked out staying healthy and having good numbers in his walk year. Yes the Rangers did give Seager $325M, but you can look at about $25M-$40M of that was just to get him to sign with Texas (huge overpay IMO). The only deal I liked so far for the stud SS class is Marcus Semein and I wish it was my Tigers that signed him. But I can strongly see CC being a player that will NOT be worth the contract he signs within 3 years.
If the Tigers were to add Correa, stick a fork in them. That would be it for improvements. They will not see the son spending like the father. They need to add one more starter, and a lefty for the bullpen.
They won’t sign him. It’ll be the SPer to slot in near the top, hopefully.
No, they will not sign Correa. They don’t need to. They have Kriedler to take over for Javy. I see him in the bigs, full time, in 2023.
Javy isn’t moving anywhere from SS. Unless he opts out. That will depend on his numbers. There’s an opt out after the 2nd year I believe. So hopefully for Tigers fans Kriedler he’s versatile and can play 3rd and/2nd.
Troy, I think Kreidler might go in a trade for a SPer. Just a feeling cuz there’s really only Rodon and Kershaw left & maybe Greinke if someone wants a back end innings eater.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him sign here. Put him at shortstop, move Baez to second, move Schoop to third, & move Candelario to left field. As for starting pitching, I see that being filled via trade. Maybe send Joey Wentz & Isaac Paredes to the Reds for Sonny Gray. For the bullpen, you could grab someone like Jake Diekman. You could do all of these things.
That’s a lot of player movement. Its unknown how Schoop would do at 3B and unknown how Candelario would do in LF. It also moves Baddoo to the bench. It adds questions defensively at 2 positions which are strong currently. I give it a push on Correa and Baez defensively. They are pretty close. Also, I don’t see Correa’s bat being worth $30MM per even on a one yr deal. Not a great fit any longer.
Silent, I’d rather they signed the cheaper & more versatile Bryant.
Okay now prorate that value to account for the 2/3 average games played per season throughout his career and it seems more reasonable.
Mr. Boras leaking info to give himself a challenge. Widen the doorframes, Mr. Boras goin to werk.
I think trash cans and Trevor Bauer will keep Correa out of Dodger Blue.
More likely Trea Turner. No one cares about the trash cans except us fans.
They likely paid a fairly-steep prospect price for playoff Scherzer and Turner as a bridge with the opportunity to make him the first offer — and/or get one of those prospect pieces back when he gets a QO, if he bolts. Icing on the cake that they don’t need to justify to their fans/player why they’re not bidding on Correa and his 2017 WS ring.
I think they are bidding but will know when to stop just to screw another team over
fake news is under strict orders to aviod the story.
It’s asinine to list either of those as reasons, but mentioning Bauer is laughable. One was a member of a league rampant with cheating whether you believe it or not, and one is a scumbag who abused a woman.
It would take about 3 games before Dodger fans were cheering for Correa and forgiving him for their inability to hit Astros pitching in the 2017 World Series. Because THAT is the reason they lost, and only that reason.
That was a 7 game series in which one team knew what pitch was coming for 3 of them. Runs scored by each team was 34. Tell me again about your reasons.
Any team who signs him….
Will be vastly improved for a few years.
More likely a few months, because the back injuries will re-emerge. That’s the problem with back issues – they never go away..
Back was a solitary issue from a “massage.” Please stop with a false narrative of him having all these back issues.
If you get 155 games a year out of him. Most likely scenario given his past is 90-120 games so teams should plan on only getting 60% of a season from him. No reason to agree to such a hefty contract just because that’s what is available this offseason. I think Seager got way overpaid, but I’d rather take his injury history over Correa’s.
I’m thinking of switching agents and having Boras represent me as well.
Tigers are unlikely to go after Correa. First they signed Schoop to an extension through at least this season. IF they signed Correa then it would force Schoop to play primarily 1B and then block Torkelson. The only way that works is if they would waive Cabrera, which they are not going to do. He is owed $64M for 2022-23 and he still has the 3000 milestone to hit this year. He still puts people in the seats.
Chris Ilitch says he will spend, and he has to some extent this off season. But no indication he will spend like his father and run losses with the Tigers and cover that with the family’s money. He will need some payroll flexibility to extend some of the younger core talent down the road and having Correa locked up for 10 years would hamper that.
I’d rather spend $150MM on Baez and the other $150MM on pitching and Corner Outfield than all on CC.
Play Correa at 3rd. Trade Candy, who should have some value.
You could move Schoop to 3B & move Candelario to LF.
They won’t sign Correa for many reasons, but Schoop has zero to do with it. Correa is significantly better than Schoop.
Actually, I do think Schoop – who got a new two-year-deal, by the way – is indeed at least a factor for the Tigers not to sign Correa. When the Tigers announced his extension, both sides emphasized the human factor with this signing. Thus I don’t see that Schoop gets dropped easily just to have Correa or Baez play 2B, a position that does not necessarily require a $ 23+m AAV salary commitment. The Tigers also have IF depth with Paredes, possibly Kreidler and others.
Shortly after they traded for Barnhart, the Reds waived Miley. I cannot imagine that both GMs did not talk about Miley at all while closing the Barnhart deal, so the Tigers must have had little interest in Miley for $ 10m (which seems like a decent rate and a solid #4SP solution for me). Was it because they want to strike big on another starter (which could only mean Rodon)?
If the Tigers truly want to invest in a true star player, they will get their opportunity next off-season. Then Grossman’s deal is up, Detroit might want an upgrade for the OF and will know better if at least one of Greene, Baddoo, Hill or Reyes could be a long-term solution as CF.
Unlike many other, I do not necessarily expect Chris Illitch to be much more frugal than his father was. But since he does not have to push for an immediate championship, the younger Illitch can be a bit more prudent than his late father (who may rest in peace).
Gruß,
BSHH
It seems like every fan understands what a massive overpay this would be. So teams must *know* and at a certain dollar and year level they’d be bidding against themselves.
Even if I wanted him I’d maybe offer 6 years/$200M or a front loaded 10 years/$300M (not that front or back loading a contract matters with the luxury tax looking at AAV) No way does anybody break the record on length and AAV for this guy unless they feel like giving themselves a financial albatross to hold them back for the best decade or they get him to agree to a flexible trade provision in order to pass him around via trade Mike Hampton style every 2-4 years for the duration of the deal… which, if you do that, might as well not cave to his insane demands and just pay him what he’s actually worth… 5 years/$160M or maybe 8 years/$250M.
I said it once, and I’ll say it again: Any team that signs Correa to that kind of deal is going to mightily regret it sooner than later. But, on the other hand, it only takes one team…
One could argue the Yankees are the logical fit, but with Judge entering a walk year as well as Stanton’s and Cole’s mega contracts on the books for years to come, I just don’t see it. Story is looking better and better to teams who need a SS.
They’re only on the hook for $22 million a year for Stanton. That shouldn’t prevent a run at Correa.
The Yankees should stop messing around and just sign him, it makes too much sense.
With his history of back injuries? Easy pass, unless he takes something much, much closer to 3 years, $90m.
That’s why he makes sense
He’d still be in Houston if he was going to take that.
I’d rather Story than Correa. Won’t have to pay him as much, better track record in terms of health, puts up great numbers, and allows the team to focus money on more than 1 position.
I agree with both of those comments. But, it just feels like a Yankees move (but maybe more like the Yankees of the 90s-00s, not more recently).
I think they are getting neither. Volpe might be the answer and he is NOT costing nine figures
Story is definitely healthier but away from Coors Field his career slash line is .241/.310/.442.
Yankee Stadium is obviously a bandbox so his HR should continue but it doesn’t have the doubles alleys of the larger Coors Field.
Correa is not going to the Yankees. Remember the put down of Jeter plus the cheating? That does not include the $$$$$ involved. If someone wants a logical fit ( money and position need: The Phillies.
The Phillies would have an interest in Correa, but no where near, his asking price. With Boras as his agent, he will most likely be the last big name free agent to sign.
You mean the same year the Yankees got caught cheating? The same Yankees team suing to keep documents sealed in relation to their own cheating, because if it got out it is damning to their franchise?? That was their words.
The whole thing came from New York via Beltran.
yankees lost thousands of fans when little stein retired mr. may and brett’s buddy’s numbers ( pathetic, but HE owns the team.) sign this worm and loose thousands more, .., go ahead, try it.
I already hear the wailing of collusion when teams pass on a crippling financial burden brought on by fan post lockout apathy. By the way, that’s a thousand teachers, cops and firefighters you can fund with the price of a shortstop. Disgusting.
Or is it 10000?
In nurse follars – Exactly! Just before I sat down to read MLBTR this morning, I thought again about how perverse it is for sports figures and actors to get this kind of money when teachers, front line workers and cops get short shrift. The country has lost its balance., and conscience.
Amen Pete.
Pete, when is the last time you bought a front line worker jersey? The money has to come from somewhere.
Not my point.
how perverse it is for sports figures and actors to get this kind of money when teachers, front line workers and cops get short shrift.
================================
Depending on where you are, first responders and teachers can do extremely well. Teachers with my level of experience, in my area, all get paid more than I do, and there a gazillion retired police officers in NYS making $100k in retirement.
I’m not sponsoring a GoFundMe page for any of them.
I live in a rural community, small town America where cops firefighters and teachers work second jobs at the hardware store and the grocery. America is more than big cities.
@In nurse follars
That’s similar-ish to how it was when I was a 70’s kid, in the UK, Tony the mechanic, Sid the Sparky, Joe the Plumber. My Dad cooking their books (he worked in a retail bank) at tax time to pay for their labours on his 1300cc Vauxhall (GM) or the roof or the electrics. No one paid for anything except parts – everyone got what they needed.
If Sid’s books didn’t need that much of a chef, child labour became involved. I mowed a fair few lawns and walked a few sexually frustrated spaniels. (I retained my innocence)
Which reminds of a tale where my myopic friend Spencer brought the wrong labrador back to the wrong owner. Happy days, great community.
Joe – Let’s be realistic. There is no comparison with what teachers, first responders and cops make across the country compared to most professional ballplayers in MLB (average salary $6.8M).
Pete – splitting hairs – but MLB average is $4.8 million not $6.8 million.
It’s stayed static (at best) since the last CBA, and guessing, that might be one of the MLBPA’s reasons for reticence with ownership at present….
A’sFaninLondon – Thanks for the update; the last figure I’d seen (can’t remember where) was the $6.8M. Still wouldn’t mind that $4,8M.
I think the guys who should get paid better are the minor leaguers and the first year players. After that, I’m not crying for the players. BUT also not for the owners or Manfred (who is ruining the game). Expanded playoffs! Yuck. Why bother to play 162?
@Pete’s View above
Couldn’t agree more. I dislike (even as an A’s fan) the playoffs going beyond 8 teams. The only incentive going from 8 to 10 teams illustrating the need to win your division and avoiding the one game crapshoot.
Can’t agree more about the minors, the MLB minimum. How insanely frustrating must it be to know you are a AAAA player. On the cusp and still???
Can only hope we get to see 162 in 2022
@A’sfaninLondonUK
The average MLB salary might indeed be $ 4.8m. But it will be $ 6.8m as soon as Correa signs his new deal… Kidding aside, I think PHI or LAD are his most likely landing spots.
Gruß,
BSHH
BSHH – I’m betting on the Phillies.
“How can you justify making more money then the President of the United States?” “I had a better year then he did.” ( Babe Ruth).
In the Wall Street crash era – weren’t that the truth….
So teams should spend revenues on teachers instead of players?
It’s the world we live in. When anyone can do what you do, you won’t get paid anything. When a million people can do what you do, you’ll do okay. If there are a 100 people that can do what you do, you start to name your own price.
Do people want to live in a world with the Beatles, without Denzel, without Bob Fosse? I can teach accounting to a monkey, but so can a million other people. But those million people can’t write 50 top-100 tunes.
Have you listened to “Baby Shark?” Maybe they can!
@JoeBrady above
Preferred Ray Fosse to Bob Fosse – bless them both – but I get your point. But teach me accounting and I’ll tally you a banana.
Few of us ever get to name our own price. Fewer still get the price right.
Are 45k people lining up at the schools every day to sit and watch a teacher? No.
Yes, they are America’s children. And let’s see a shortstop save your child’s life in the hospital trauma unit.
“Are 45k people lining up at the schools every day to sit and watch a teacher?”
What a poor reason to not pay the people molding the future of America. There’s no doubt what they do is extremely valuable, and to not pay them for what they’re worth, because people don’t literally pay to sit and watch them teach, is perverse.
No one is saying teachers and frontline workers should have their salaries cut. It’s called supply and demand.
First of all, where did you get the idea that anyone was accusing anyone else of cutting the salaries of teachers and front line workers?
Saying it’s supply and demand is over-simplifying. It’s apples and oranges, with players being paid from private business, and teachers paid by state and municipal revenue.
A history of tax cuts, helping the rich get richer, results in revenue that limit what teachers make. They’re paid only what the school districts can afford. Raise taxes on the wealthy, and more revenue will be available to pay teachers closer to what they’re worth.
Some of the garbage they teach kids these days ( hating Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and. Christmas for example), I would not pay those teachers one red cent
Besides being a complete non sequitur, I have to ask; exaggerate much?
No one’s teaching kids to “hate” Columbus Day, only that Columbus butchered Native Peoples. No one’s teaching kids to “hate” Thanksgiving, only that Native Peoples have been had their land and resources taken. No one is teaching kids to “hate” Christmas, only that Christians aren’t the only ones to have holidays. Get your head out of the past white wash and embrace the true history of our country..
In other words: Nothing but propaganda. Goebbels would be proud
it is “RED” cent, like the loony left wants it.
Oh geez, now you’re bringing Goebbels. You’re a denier.
Wanted: Good defensive short stop who can hit 20 home runs and bat in the .270’s. Will not be required to steal any bases and driving in runs is somewhat optional. Willing to pay top dollar.
Thanks for bringing us back to earth, whyhayzee. No way he’s one of the GOATs, even though he wants to be paid like one.
realsox:
I don’t think you get it. Having a good defensive SS that hits like Correa is extremely valuable.
And with Trout’s extension, without even hitting the open market, and talk of Soto possibly being the first $500M player, $330M is far from GOAT money. Especially since two SSs have already signed similar deals. And Correa is a better hitter than Lindor, and a far better defender that Seager.
Fans Talking about it is a lot different than it happening. unfortunately for Correa, the market only had two teams that were shopping at that end, and they have filled their vacancies.
Bang!
Correa will get his money, whatever that exactly means. It’ll be somewhere north of $300M. Boras will make sure of that even if he has to construct a Scherzer-like deal he had with the Nats with deferred money. Lindor at $341 is probably the better fielder, and Seager at $325 probably the better hitter, but Correa blends plus fielding and plus hitting and he’ll only be 27.
History shows that money flows and big contracts are signed right after there’s a new CBA. Add in some fan disgust with the lockout, which means there will be teams who will want to make a splash.
Question is, how far will Boras drag negotiations into Spring Training or even the regular season?
@lordD99
What does history show about spending right after a new CBA, during a pandemic, and following two years of reduced revenue?
He’s worth max 15/yr. His attitude sucks and he’s been playing with bang bang cheat codes so his slightly above average numbers will play slightly under on a level field.
Don’t see many sales of his jersey happening, due to his history. That should drop his value a bit.
Merchandise sales are spread throughout the league equally. So in other words, the Pirates make the same amount as the Yankees do on an Aaron Judge jersey.
Drop it Correa, you ain’t Tatis Jr. Vlad Jr., Acuña Jr. or Mike Trout!
I can see you landing $250-$280M over 8-10 yrs, but no more than that and I’m being generous!
Koodo’s to the team(s) that will be willing to go beyond that limit or even to my suggested deal. They must be insane.
The Jays for example, took a chance on Jin Ryu and Springer and while they haven’t been horrible, they haven’t been spectacularly healthy and productive either!
Let’s see what they do in 2022. Hopefully better for the sake of My Jays and the Fan Base.
While agree with most of what you’re saying, Correa is a far better defender than Tatis, so much so that in the long run I think Correa is the better player. Nevertheless the price is absurd.
tatis will have his own problem if the FBI starts funding bodies in all the cities nutboy bauer has been to, as they like to bone jump the same chicks.
@to4:
You are right, Correa is probably worse than either of Acuna, Tatis Jr., Trout and possibly Guerrero Jr. (who will have to constantly hit like a madman because of Correa playing a premium position). But which of these four players is actually available for $ 330m/10y plus a 2nd round pick?
Gruß,
BSHH
For a cheater who has only play 2 full seasons in his career?
Well. We’re out!
I don’t see the Yankees spending 330 Mil for a shortstop, when they still need an additional starting pitcher and a left handed first baseman. Please don’t forget to address the need of a center fielder that hits more than .231 lifetime.
Any team that signs Correa for anything more than 5 years is going to regret it. It seems most teams don’t learn (e.g. Strasburg, Rendon, Lindor). Only two players that will live up to their contracts are Trout, Betts, and Gerrit Cole (unless he’s not allowed to use pine tar).
Rendon had a great 2020 and got a bad, yet almost fluky, injury in 2021. And I don’t think Betts will truly live up to the contract
Betts is a 5-tool player and right behind Trout as the best in the game and I think he will continue to be on par with Trout’s level
Dave Winfield, Alex Rodriguez (technically twice), Derek Jeter, Joey Votto I think are all candidates of good 10 year contracts that ultimately had good value. There just isn’t much “history” on decade long deals. Most of these types of deals have come to fruition in recent years. I think there is great value to be had if you can lock up these special types of players, and I think history would err more on this positive side if you are considering contract value based on the total production.
A Rod took PEDs
Absolutely ridiculous. The Royals and Braves already showed that you can win a championship without signing players to absurd contracts.
NFW.
What teams are left that are willing to spend $330 to 350 million?
And they have a short stop position opening
I can only see the Yankees signing him if the LTT is raised considerably higher than it has been. Same goes for PHI. But get ready for the “mystery team” references by Boras. When all is said and done I see him returning to HOU, but he won’t be getting the $$$ or years he’s looking for. More than likely it will be 5 or 6 year front loaded deal giving him opt outs in the 2nd and 3rd years.
Good luck to whichever teams gets him.
Shortstop version of Jason Heyward
I’m not seeing it, but all it takes is one GM and/or owner to cave.
Gotta admit, I am waiting for the Boras sound bytes to start rolling……
He’s going to get more than almost anyone commenting thinks he deserves….and that will define what he’s worth, because that’s what the market will bear. Anyone making an offer has to price in his issues, including the cheating, his two iffy seasons in the last four, his position, and a demonstrable problem saying healthy. They will do all that, and still pay him, because Shortstops with 7WAR ceilings don’t grow on trees.
I hope so. And by I hope so I mean I hope the Tigers do.
Be careful what you hope for! Even if the Tigers signed him to an outrageous contract, it will likely become an albatross long after this enviable current White Sox core has run its course and become to expensive to extend.
Gruß,
BSHH
It just takes one idiot.
I sort of hate to see greed rewarded, but honestly I don’t care. The Astros will be fine without him.
After a quick look, here are the teams that need a better SS next season:
– Phillies;
– Yankees;
– Cubs;
– Rockies
– Angels;
– Astros;
– Cardinals;
– Nationals;
– Miami;
* Let’s forget Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Most of these teams have a high payroll already (NYY), don’t have an history of allowing 10 years-contract (Cubs, Cards), have to many holes to fill (Phi, LAA) or have good shortstop prospects coming (NYY).
My guess: He will sign with the Nationals. They have an history of spending a lot. They have pretty much a clean slate (Corbin has only 3 years left, Strasburg is the only bad contract and maybe not if he comes back healthy). They have don’t have a deep pool of prospects and they need to convince Soto that the future is bright.
Story will sign with Houston, Bryant will sign with Philly and the Yankees will trade for someone like Mondesi.
I wouldn’t be too concerned about convincing Soto. Not going to be much of a team if your paying $80MM for two players.
Interesting. I’d kind of like Mondesi here.
I think you’re right about the Angels having too many holes. And I hope we avoid another albatross contract. But I’ll never rule Arte Moreno out on a “big splash.”
@HalosHeavenJJ:
Moreno has seen the Dodgers regularly blowing by the CBT and young pitchers emerging. If I were him, I would seriously consider getting a marketable star at a position of need to both make a real run at the playoffs and show Ohtani that he better stays with the Angels long-term. Correa at $ 330m/10y might become a $ 100m overpay including luxury taxes, but it would probably increase the value of the franchise massively.
Gruß,
BSHH
Let’s forget Miami and Rockies as well. Neither will sign anyone for big money.
I wish him luck. There is no way Correa is worth that kind of money on a long term basis. Good bat, mediocre (certainly not elite) SS.
Perhaps a team will part with that kind of money, but I expect a contract with a lot of opt-outs and fancy dressing to make it look more meaty than it really is, to save face for Correa.
I would trade Tatis Jr. Bat and speed for Correa’s. Also, keep in mind that Correa is approaching his 30’s season and Tatis Jr. is just starting! So there’s plenty of room for improvement!
I hope a team like Baltimore signs him to be the face of the franchise moving forward, God knows Baltimore fans need something to grab onto and they have a farm system. Problem is will a player take the money knowing they can never win their division and probably never make the playoffs?
That’s essentially what Cano and Machado did
Rather have Semien.
First of all Semien is no longer a SS, and for good reason. So it’s apples and oranges.
But, that aside, why would you prefer someone who has less value (28.7 WAR in 9 seasons to 34.1 WAR in 7 seasons) who’s a significantly worse hitter (110 OPS+ to 127 OPS+), and far worse defender (-26 OAA to 27 OAA), and who’s 4 years older?
I am obviously talking about dollar/year. I’d rather have Semien at 7 years than Correa at 10 years and I would rather Pay Semien $25M than Correa $35M. Also we have to look at the recent years and not use career statistics unless you are bullish on Correa’s health and bearish on Semien’s recent years compared to early years.
Semien has played 162 in each of his last 2 full seasons (2019, 2021) and placed 3rd in MVP voting both years with an OPS+ of 139 and 131.. Sure Correa is a better defender but for how long? Also Semien moved to 2B as the Blue Jays had Bo at SS. I am too lazy to look it up is SS stats but I am sure he is fine (albiet worse than Correa). He won the GG last year at 2B.
So yes.
Dumb comment and even dumber follow up comment. You’re acting like you have to foot the bill. Correa is the much better player and for no logical reason you would like the worse player
Didn’t take Heyman long to start pushing Correa for Boras lol
Heyman is Boras’s mouthpiece. Nothing more
Watch Boras push a one year pillow contract if there is no traction on a long term deal costing $330M+
Here is one more reason the Yankees are not signing Corrrea or even Story. The are linked to next year’s number one IFA Brandon Mayea of Cuba a center fielder, just like they were linked for a year to Arias and signed him. If they have to lose $500,000 of IFA $$$$ it could be no Mayea.
I believe he signs with the Tigers. You sign him to 10/$330, but you make the first two years at $20-$22M, with the heavier totals in years 3-7 ($41M) and decline totals in 8-10 ($26-27). You could also add an opt-out at 4-5 years. Paying the smaller amount in the first two years helps cushion the blow to the cap until Miggy leaves. In two years, his number falls off, and Correa becomes the highest-paid player on the team. I would put him at first and trade JC and a prospect for a serviceable pitcher. Also, the declining totals in the last year’s, makes his numbers more acceptable if he falls off, as expected.
What about Torkelson?
The total value divided by number of years is what goes toward the CBT (or cap as you said) no amount of early or later adjustments to the yearly cash outlay have an impact.
The Tigers didn’t commit $140M/6 to Javy Baez for him to play 2B. I think the ship to Detroit sailed when Baez signed his deal. The Tigers can pay far less for a quality 2B and spend the money saved in a dozen different ways.
Likewise, Boras had a close relationship with Mike Illich, but I don’t think that extends to current ownership, and the days of placing a fat deal for Prince Fielder by going straight to ownership are probably done.
Boras is said to have a very good relationship to Avila and Pleis, which may have contributed to the Tigers drafting his client Skubal in the 9th round in 2018. But even a very good relationship does not make Correa a pressing need for an IF that will likely consist of Torkelson, Schoop, Baez and Candelario for the next two years.
A few weeks ago, one of the usual suspects tweeted that the Tigers offered Correa $ 275m. Correa obviously wants more (and I think he will get it), so that ship has sailed.
Gruß,
BSHH
If the Rangers signed Semien for $175M to play 2B why can’t the Tigers sign Baez $140M to also play 2B?
Unless Baez hits consistently as good as he did for the Mets, Semien is the better hitter among them. Baez’ value for the Tigers will likely come more from his good SS defense than from his offense. He is also younger than Semien and has a shorter contract.
Thus I can understand that the Rangers might plan with Semien fielding a less demanding position. However, I don’t think that dropping half a billion on Semien and Seager has been a particularly shrewd investment.
Gruß,
BSHH
Put him at Third.
I guess we can figure out why Correa didn’t sign during the frenzy leading up to the lockout.
I guess there is nothing wrong with a high asking price but i seriously doubt he gets it
Boras rarely fails but a lot of teams that sign his players live to regret it ( Yankees included)
Correa should have signed before the lockdown.
He was very close with the Tigers 10 year 275M.
They were only 30-40M apart.
That gap should have been bridged.
Now, I don’t think the Tigers will go 330-340M.
It may be a bridge too far for them.
I bet a 8/$275MM ($34MM+ per yr.) deal the Tigers could have swallowed but my guess Correa’s obsession with others getting 10 year deals was standing in the way of any ‘gap bridging’..
I’ve said this before, but I think Crane’s offer of $32/year was fair. Did I expect Correa to sign it? Nope.
The only way he comes back to Houston is on a one year deal with a massive salary. I don’t see that happening either.
There is no doubt that he is an elite fielder…none. His bat tends to go silent at times and he is very injury-prone. I wish him the best with his new team and hope that the Astros sign Story.
the question to ask is WHY?
what moved Correa to turn to Boras at this point?
Good question. I have no clue.
We can only guess, but I think Boras got Seager one of the landing spots Correa thought he would receive, and Correa may have nixed a deal or two negotiated by his former agents because it wasn’t equal to or greater than what Seager received.
Likewise, Javy Baez said yes to the Tigers, which was another SS spot many thought Correa would be signed to.
The simple truth is that when a player *expects* ~$30M or more per season in a long-term deal, he eliminates more than half the MLB franchises immediately, and then has to focus on the few remaining (since some with the money don’t necessarily have the need). It is the problem that comes from needing to claim the highest AAV, or the largest total contract $ commitment, or the longest number of years, or whatever nonsense metric is being used to bolster the ego of the player. Boras excels at this part of the process, and I expect Correa will get a deal with equals Seager’s at some level, maybe fewer years but same AAV, something like that. Maybe Boras gets him a deal to return to Astros but with opt-out at end of the first season, so he can re-enter free agency next year, and the one season pays amount similar to Seager’s AAV.
(I’d write a deal like that if I’m the Angels, but I don’t think Moreno wants to risk paying $30M annually to another chronically injured player if the deal runs more than just one year).
It’s possible Correa was disappointed his agency couldn’t get him a deal to his liking before the lockout. Then he sees his fellow shortstop, someone he probably feels is inferior to him, land a contract in the neighborhood of what he should be earning. But with the lockout, his guaranteed millions don’t exist. He’s left to live on whatever remains of the $27M he’s made since 2012.
So, time for a new plan. Time to switch to an agency who has a history of getting their clients paid and creating bidding wars, a sense of urgency, between clubs.
Boras Corps at your service.
“We suck them dry while you suck on Mai Tais.”
It only takes one offer to make him happy. There are some big market teams who can make that offer and Boras is great at getting teams to bid against themselves.
Braves spending that kind of dough is LAUGHABLE
Boras obviously sold Seager higher over Correa.Now the genius is watching him 360 the narrative to get Correa of.Maybe he doubles back to Detroit or takes a 1 yr from Houston.Correa panicking,which he obviously is.Shows how dry his market is and how he overvalued himself.Boras needs to drum up something for Correa!
Boras has maintained a good working relationship with Cashman (Cole and Britton currently, and of course Teixeira and others in the past). I know Steinbrenner isn’t wanting to spend beyond the tax and team wants to try to keep Judge past 2022, when he goes FA. But there isn’t a SS on the roster the Yankees love, and this would provide some offensive punch to the lineup—but there would need to be some contrition over the Jeter statements.
To your point, Boras had a great relationship with Ilitch Sr; I wonder if he can convince Jr. to get involved and go above Avila’s head to get a deal done. I think 8/$275 gets it done. That would be a higher AAV than Seagar and Lindor.
Or it could be the agency Correa just fired couldn’t negotiate as effectively as Boras can. The beauty for Boras now is that there is bar for an elite SS which he set with Seager. Now Boras can present/argue all he wants for his client about how he is the cream of the SS and not the other guy.
There is no way the Yanks pay anything close to this amount for a player like CC. I honestly think it will be a team that no one is even talking about. Tigers won’t bc they will have to shuffle too many players around to make CC fit their squad. Dodgers won’t for a myriad of reasons. I just have this feeling it’s going to be a team outta nowhere like the Nationals or Mariners or something like that. Call me crazy, but it’ll be a team that is getting zero mention in these chats!
He’ll sign for the team that gives him the most money and then say he wanted to sign with that team all along
I wouldn’t rule out the Dodgers, especially if the luxury tax is increased.
Lol!!
I forgot how good Francisco Lindor used to be. He’s really taken a dive the past couple of years. I feel t Mets contract is going to get even more ugly, especially if he doesn’t right the ship. I compared him to Corey Seager and was shocked –
mlbcomparisons.com/corey-seager-vs-francisco-lindo…
I don’t see Correa getting 10/300 right now, Boras will have to settle for a short term deal of 40./3 with an out out. Correa goes back to the Astros!
I’d rather have Correa at $330MM than Seager at $325MM. What happened there?
I can’t wait to see which team is idiotic enough to sign this guy to a 10/300 deal. Hopefully, it will result in the same long term franchise degradation that nearly all of these mega deals are destined to cause. The idiocy of these contracts may not destroy the game, but with any luck it will do enough damage to the imbeciles who offer them up to put an end to this lunacy. One or two players making 30+ mil per year while the remainder of the team is making league minimum or a little more is criminal.
Over Under Correa gets the Money ?
I Say Under ! Who’s gonna pay It ?
Dodgers ? Yankees ? Boston had a Shortstop. Sf Giants have one. Seattle has a young one. Texas has one. Houston ? Probably his best Best.
And I would bet money that JP Crawford outperforms Correa over the next 5 years.
I think when it’s all said and done it’s 3 teams in for Correa. The Nationals, Dodgers or Red Sox. I just hope the Yankees steer clear from this guy. I can’t stand him. Trevor Story is the player for the Yankees to sign. $23 annually for 5 years. Get it done Ca$hman!!!
Dodgers got Turner for a reason and the RSox have a good SS.
No idea where he could go.
Even with an above avg but certainly not great .837 career ops, still averages over 4 WAR a year in his career. But with his injury history and approaching his 30’s … it’s insane to give this guy 300 mil.