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At the very least, Carlos Correa’s free agency saga resulted in a historical footnote: the infielder became the first player in Major League Baseball’s history to sign two $300 million+ contracts within a week.
This morning, Correa signed a 12-year, $315 million contract with the New York Mets.
In a stunning turn, Carlos Correa has agreed on a 12-year, $315 million contract with the Mets, voiding a previous 13-year agreement with the Giants, a source confirmed to ESPN Wednesday morning.
The New York Post first reported the development. More: https://t.co/I8fqNLMtcb pic.twitter.com/y7fed6votC
— ESPN (@espn) December 21, 2022
The Puerto Rican star had previously signed a 12-year, $350 million contract with the San Francisco Giants last week. However, Correa reportedly failed his physical, prompting the Giants to void the deal.
Correa’s agent, Scott Boras said there was a “difference of opinion” over his physical results. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi confirmed Boras’s statement on Wednesday.
“While we are prohibited from disclosing confidential medical information, as Scott Boras stated publicly, there was a difference of opinion over the results of Carlos’ physical examination. We wish Carlos the best,” said Zaidi.
Correa was able to quickly sign a deal with the Mets, who pounced on the star infielder.
“In the end, what the (heck’s) the difference? If you’re trying to make a move, you make the move,” said Mets owner Steve Cohen to the New York Post. “This puts us over the top.”
Last season, Correa accumulated 5.4 WAR with the Minnesota Twins after a 7-year start to his career with the Astros. The 2015 rookie of the year and two-time all-star is a career .279 hitter with 553 RBI in 888 games played.
Correa’s signing will push the Mets farther into their position as the highest-spending team in baseball. The Mets have already committed over $800 on free agents this Winter.
Since free agency began, the Mets signed:
– Carlos Correa, $315M
– Brandon Nimmo, $162M
– Edwin Díaz, $102M
– Justin Verlander, $86.6M
– Kodai Senga, $75M
– Jose Quintana, $26M
– Omar Narvaez, $15M
– Adam Ottavino, $14.5M
– David Robertson, $10MTotal outlay: $806.1 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2022
This also likely transitions Correa to third base. Correa stated previously that he would shift to third if it meant he could play next to Puerto Rico teammate Francisco Lindor, the Met’s current shortstop.
