Shortstop Carlos CorreaAnd the Minnesota TwinsAccording to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the parties have reached an agreement for a $105.3 million three-year deal that includes opt outs after the first and second seasons.
Correa will receive $35.1 million each year under the terms of his deal with Correa.
Correa, 27, is coming off perhaps his best season, posting a career-best 7.2 WAR, according to baseball-reference.com, which ranked third in the American League. He hit.279, with 26 homers and 92 RBI. Also, he scored 104 runs. Correa, who is often injured, played in 148 games. This was his largest participation since 2016.
This was Correa’s most decorated year. He played in the All-Star games, was fifth in AL MVP voting, won his first Gold Glove at shortstop and was presented a Platinum Glove from Rawlings for the AL’s top overall defense. Correa, who joined the Astros in 2015 as a shortstop, is now sixth among all WAR position players (34.1).
Correa’s postseason success has exceeded all of his regular season achievements. Correa has been the third most successful player in postseason home runs (18) since his debut appearance for Houston 2015. Correa’s 59 RBI in playoff games are 10 more than any other player.
Correa is still controversial due to his involvement in the sign-stealing scandal which tainted Astros’ 2017 World Series title and his insistent defense of the legitimacy of the championship. He told reporters that he had already said to reporters before the 2020 season, “When you look at the games, we won fairly and square.” That was the championship we won.
Despite all the controversy Correa is revered as a clubhouse leader. Dusty Baker, Astros manager said that Correa was a “great player” and could lead the team down the wrong track. Carlos is in the “great category.”
Correa became an unrestricted agent after he rejected the Astros’ $18.4m qualifying offer. Houston will receive a compensatory draft selection as a result of Correa’s departure.
Correa, a Puerto Rico Baseball Academy pick, was the top overall pick in the 2012 amateur Draft. Correa was then named AL Rookie of the Month in 2015.
Fox 26 Houston first reported the deal.
This report was contributed by ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle.