JULIAN FARRUGIA (12) | STAFF REPORTER
Coming into the off-season, Carlos Correa was one of the most sought after free agents. Most of the star free agents had agreed to new contracts before the end of December, and so did Correa.
Correa agreed to a 13 year, $350 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, the largest contract for a shortstop in MLB history. The former Rookie of the Year and World Series champion would be receiving a whopping $26 million a year. However, San Francisco held off on signing an official contract due to Correa’s questionable physical test.
For Correa and his agent Scott Boras, they believed the Giants held off too long, so Correa ditched San Francisco and landed a similar 12 year, $315 million deal with the New York Mets. All speculation that San Francisco was being cheap ended when even the Mets backed out after receiving Correa’s physicals. For the third time, Correa agreed to a multi-million dollar deal to return to the Minnesota Twins, where he played the 2022 season. Correa officially signed his contract on January 11th.
The Giants and Mets both viewed Correa’s fractured right fibula as a problem for the future. However, Correa sustained that injury back in 2014, yet he has had no problem with the injury during his time in the Majors.
All in all, there were no winners in this unforgettable free agency frenzy. Correa lost millions of dollars, and also lost guaranteed years on his contract, so if that fractured right fibula actually does affect him, he’ll only play out this contract until 2028. The Giants, who have certainly been the biggest losers of the off-season, have lost the free agent biddings of Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa, and other superstars. They look to bounce back after a disappointing 2022 season, in which they missed the playoffs. The Mets and their owner Steve Cohen, who so desperately wanted to add another impact bat to their already loaded lineup, lost a potential Hall of Famer and a star who could’ve helped in the playoffs. Last year, the Mets offense struggled in the playoffs, yet their offense has not been altered by the front office this off-season. Correa also may lose the chance to win a World Series, as Minnesota’s future looks dull. The Twins have not made the trip to the Fall Classic since 1991, while also failing to win a playoff game since 2004.
