How do you solve a problem like Correa?
Entry posted by Doc Munson in Season So Far ·
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If you get the headline 3 points for you!!
Obviously Correa is ZERO problem. BUT he is a bit of a conundrum. There were some level or reporting earlier that Correa may have been interested in signing long term. This had to have been pure hope. He never considered it.
The "Problem" though is... Do the Twins treat him like a 1 year flier, and "make a run" this year and let him walk? or do they see if they can get top dollar in a trade?
Problem #1: Keep and contend
The Twins are not built overall to truly contend this year. Our Pitching is no where near in position to be a quality staff on a contending team. Sure we have a pretty good shot at winning the division, but if you are willing to put big money down that the Twins will win a series or two in playoffs, I would love to take your money. SO then you have to ask yourself... Is our cieling demosntrably better wit Correa than without? If you thin ultimately we go only so far regardless, then you MUST look for a trade.
Problem #2 What is his value?
Yes he is one of the top players in all of baseball, and yes he does have 2 more years of potential "control", so there is always a CHANCE he could opt in and the recieveing team gets him for more than 1 year. which woudl significantly improve trade value. otherwise he is "just" a rental. This diminishes his value.
Problem #3: What team needs him?
First it needs to be a contender. Second, needs to be a contender who has a need at SS. Third they need to be a contender with a need at SS who has quality prospects to trade.
SO, who could possibly fall into this scenario?
There is ONE team that checks all these boxes!!! (ok maybe a few, but oen who it woudl have the BIGGEST impact on!!)
ST LOUIS CARDINALS!!
The Cardinals are just 1 game out of 1st, and currently own a WC spot. one of the biggestholes they have is SS. They are a HUGE baseball town!! They are in a WIN NOW season!!! with it being the last years of Waino, Yadi and Pujols. there would be a HUGE public interest to have them go out with a bang!! Also with the Big Three retiring that clear s$30M nest year, which makes Correa's $35M affordable.
Cardinals Have some great top propsects. including Jordan Walker.
Why woudl the Cards trade Walker? he is a STUD!!!
Well First they are getting the reigning MVP and Platinum Glove SS in Correa, they get a PROVEN superstar in excheange for a POTENTIAL superstar. Seconly Walker is 3B, Oh by the way the Cards have something called Nolan Arrenado currently mannign 3B. Ok, move one of them to 1B you say, oh ok how about something called Paul Goldschmidt. They also have Nolan Gorman who is a 3B/2B prospect.
So trading for Correa gives them an infield to contend this year and future years of Arrenado, Correa, Gorman, Goldschmidt.
Finally, How do you maximize Correa's value? Simple renegotiate his contract to build in a trade kicker that comes into play if opts in to BOTH of the remaining years. say it is a $10M kicker that is split between the Twins and the team that picks him up. This gets Correa $45M per year on a short 2 year deal. So a team like the cardinals can A: Afford $40M on a short deal to secure Correa, B: have a big positional need. C : have a PR opportuity, and D : have the blocked prospects to swing a deal.
And as a remainder, NO anyone the Twins trade him to will nto give up MLB experienced top pitching., as any team takng on Correa will be a contending team and not move their quality pitching. SO... IF we will not get pitching back, then why not shoot for one of the top position prospects in all of baseball.
Lets go get Jordan Walker!!
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