Carlos Correa (29), who was considered the best free agent (FA) fielder in the American professional baseball (Major League), but a problem was discovered during a physical examination and a series of large contracts were cancelled, returned to his original team.
ESPN and Associated Press reported on the 11th (Korean time), citing sources, that Correa had agreed to a six-year, $200 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.
If Correa meets the option presented by Minnesota, the contract will be extended for 4 years and 70 million dollars, increasing the total contract size to 270 million dollars over 10 years. When the option is fulfilled, an annual salary of $25 million in 2029, the seventh year of the contract, $20 million in 2030, $15 million in 2031, and $10 million in 2032 is guaranteed. 메이저놀이터
The option is fulfilled if you have at least 502 plate appearances in the previous season or if you are in the top 5 in the MVP vote. Also, the option works if you win the Silver Slugger or are selected as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the World Series or League Championship Series.
As a result, it is a disappointing ending for Corea.
Correa signed a three-year, $105.3 million contract with Minnesota in March 2022, with a clause allowing him to declare free agency after each season. Correa, who proved his competitiveness last season with a batting average of 0.291, an on-base percentage of 0.366 and a slugging percentage of 0.467 with 22 homers and a top-class shortstop defense, returned to the free agent market as planned.
Minnesota was the first to offer 10 years and $285 million, but declined.
Later, he agreed with the San Francisco Giants for a total of 350 million dollars over 13 years, but the contract was canceled right before the contract was concluded because a problem was found in the right ankle area that had been operated in the past during a physical examination. Correa immediately reached an oral agreement with the New York Mets for 12 years and $315 million. However, he also failed the physical examination and did not reach his final contract.
Correa, whose career path was uncertain, eventually returned with a free agent contract with the original team and the contract period and total amount reduced.
Correa, a shortstop from Puerto Rico, played for the Houston Astros from 2015 to 2021, recording a career batting average of 0.279, 155 homers, 553 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.836 in eight major league seasons. He received the Rookie Award in 2015 and the Gold Glove in 2021.
However, Correa has always been concerned about injury, even with his excellent skills, only three seasons with more than 502 plate appearances.
In the end, due to health issues, he was satisfied with the $200 million guarantee, which is $150 million less than the $350 million he had agreed to with the Giants in total.