Correa Dynamite at Press Conference

[Ted Schwerzler]

Fort Myers, FL - The Minnesota Twins started their morning in Fort Myers by settling into an auditorium in the Academy. LaTroy Hawkins, Rod Carew, Royce Lewis, and a host of media were present. Scott Boras entered, then did Minnesota’s front office and other dignitaries. Everyone was there for the man of the hour, Carlos Correa. As he put on that #4 jersey, it became official; he’s a Minnesota Twin.

If there were two takeaways from this morning’s press conference, Carlos Correa was impressed with Twins leadership and that he’s here to win. Derek Falvey noted his appreciation of the support from ownership in saying, “A momentous day like this, a significant contract like this with a player of Carlos’s stature only happens with the partnership and support of ownership.”

Leadership starts at the top, and Correa noted the warmth he felt in an initial Zoom call with Falvey and new manager Rocco Baldelli. “I talked to Rocco, I talked to Derek and Thad, and they made me feel like this was the place for me to be. They made me feel like this was going to be my next home. And when I got off the Zoom call, I told Scott, let’s make it happen. And I told my wife to start packing.”
 
Communication is a big thing for Correa, and in talking through his desires to be in Minnesota, he continued to communicate a desire for winning. Going to a place where he could win was necessary, and there’s no ambiguity as to whether he feels the Twins are a team capable. “I told Rocco, and I told Derek, we’re not seeing this like a one-year thing, we’re seeing this as I want to build a championship culture in this organization, I want to show you guys what I can do, what I can bring to the table, so we can have a long-term relationship at some point.”

While there is an opt-out following the first year, Correa’s agent Scott Boras sees this as an opportunity for Carlos to do damage in a place he’s been very successful. “He had told me, 'these are some of the places I see the ball really well.' When he mentioned Minnesota and I went and looked up, and I said, wow, he just has a very small 1.200 OPS over there… I know this, all the AL Central, the Twins have a new explosion weapon, C4.”

Correa has played for some great managers in A.J. Hinch and Dusty Baker. Knowing that communication is so vital between the leader of the team and a leader in the clubhouse, it was exciting to hear how glowingly the new shortstop talked of his skipper. “For me, it was just the vibes I got and how they made me feel, especially talking to Rocco and hearing so many great things about him from all the players that played for him. I want to be in a place where I want to feel like I can communicate with my manager, and my manager's going to have my back all the time. That's exactly what I got from Rocco, and he's the guy I'm going to be working closest with. When I feel like I have a manager that I can trust, and I can communicate with, for me, that's a game-changer."
 
A critical focal point remained as the conversation drew on for Correa and the Twins. This was going to be a partnership about winning. Correa has been in situations where the results have taken time, but he’s also experienced the pinnacle of a World Series ring. He said, “The conversations we had were about two and a half hours…it was all about winning. When I get that from them, that makes me excited because I want to take up that challenge. It was not long ago that I was playing for an organization that was last in the big leagues the year before I got there—losing 100-plus games. I know what it takes to build a championship culture within the clubhouse. It starts within the clubhouse and all the way up to the front office. I see that here with the talent that we have, and I see that we can get so much better in order for us to accomplish that goal to ultimately win a championship."
 
Correa was taken the pick before Minnesota Twins Byron Buxton in the 2012 draft. He’s excited to play up the middle with him and has a history of playing alongside him in showcases as they were growing up. He fondly remembers the pre-draft process in Minnesota, “A 17-year-old hitting tanks in Target Field felt pretty cool.”
 
It may be surprising that the Twins are landing such a supreme talent, but Boras thinks that will become more part of the norm. Taking over Correa’s free agency in January after his previous representation went through changes, Boras noted that Minnesota is a place he has young guys like Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, and Austin Martin. Also, in talking about the vast revenues clubs see before the season even starts, he shared a belief talent acquisition will change, saying, “The truth of it is, you’re going to see franchises sign a franchise player, maybe the top franchises will sign two or three. That kind of thing. You’re going to see that with regularity in the game because frankly, it’s a component that is necessary for winning.”

At the end of the day, it’s more than apparent that Carlos Correa is extremely excited to be in Minnesota and believes in the ability to lead this organization to a championship and have the leadership in place to supplement him getting there.
 
After a few days focused on public relations, it was back to business for the talented shortstop. He took live at-bats for the first time since the World Series, and he said he hopes to see game action for Minnesota by this weekend. While we may still be pinching ourselves, this is now very much real life. The Twins hauled in a big fish, and it seems like he wants to be here to stay.

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[Seansy]

It certainly would be nice if they could keep him for longer than 1 year. We'll see how much is it blowing smoke when next offseason rolls around.

[Seth Stohs]

I thought Scott Boras had a nice quote too about Correa and Royce Lewis. 

Quote

Royce is going to play in the big leagues for a long time at a very high level. The athlete that he is, you never worry about the position as much as you do the fact of what he’s going to be and who he is. So really there is no vision of blockade, there is actually a benefit where you can learn from a player like this that is, basically in your generation but has experienced so much at a very young age that he can transfer that to Royce and he can have that in his pocket going forward. It really brings a different level of understanding.

We all assume that Correa is a one-year guy, but you never know, and Royce can play anywhere he's asked, I'm sure. 

[Dman]

12 minutes ago, Seansy said:

It certainly would be nice if they could keep him for longer than 1 year. We'll see how much is it blowing smoke when next offseason rolls around.

Yeah if Correa has the monster year he plans on having he won't have much choice but to leave as the Twins won't likely do a 7 to 10 year deal at 35M or so.  Especially with Royce in the wings.  Maybe if Correa has a down year and the market looks weak he might be here another year but it seems unlikely.

While he hasn't played here yet it was nice to hear that former players think Minnesota's FO and Manager make it a good place to play.  It looks like that is something that mattered to Correa although I am sure the way the deal was structured had a larger impact.  Still it was nice to hear. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I enjoyed reading what everyone had to say. Now let's get another starting pitcher.

[RJA]

I think Correa could be the straw that stirs the drink in Minnesota (to use the old Reggie comment).  His energy and push to win will elevate everyone.  He and Buxton could be an incredible pair this year.  Pray for health.

[Trov]

He is saying all the right things.  Maybe he opts out after year one to cash in on hoping for a 8 to 10 year deal, something Twins will never do.  Maybe he stays a second year if he likes the team, or they work out a new deal that he likes and Twins will too.  Some guys will just want all the money, but when you are talking about already having crazy life changing money, sometimes you can forgo some extra life changing money for having other things in your life.  Maybe he likes MN so much he will not feel like he needs to leave, maybe not. 

[Thebigalguy]

It's exciting to get Correa, if only for a year. I think the offense will be fine, though a lot depends on Kepler, Sano et al rebounding to complement Buxton, Correa, and Polanco and those three staying healthy. I know almost nothing about the former Yankees. Defense should be okay. If the young pitchers come through, the team can compete. Correa is a rah-rah sort of guy who knows how to win (and cheat!). He brings attitude to the clubhouse. I have to high five the FO for all the moves, but it’s pitching that will matter most. Correa, though, is a linchpin. I just hope he stays away from garbage cans.

[Melissa]

Nice story, Ted, thanks! 

On another note, I see that in the tweets you repeat here you've named the folks in the photos. That isn't typically done on the headers (? leading photos?) on TD posts. For this one, I saw Falvey, Correa, and some older white guy - obviously not from the Twins front office, but he lacked the devil's horns or tail so he couldn't be Scott Boras! And then your tweet clarified that yes, that's the man.

Anyway, is it technically difficult to caption photos on this site? Or do you expect all of us readers to recognize folks from their faces or body shapes or the like? Kinda of a separator I suppose form those who visit Fort Myers and those who have to watch from afar ...

[dex8425]

45 minutes ago, Trov said:

He is saying all the right things.  Maybe he opts out after year one to cash in on hoping for a 8 to 10 year deal, something Twins will never do.  Maybe he stays a second year if he likes the team, or they work out a new deal that he likes and Twins will too.  Some guys will just want all the money, but when you are talking about already having crazy life changing money, sometimes you can forgo some extra life changing money for having other things in your life.  Maybe he likes MN so much he will not feel like he needs to leave, maybe not. 

Certainly the pressure here is much less. It's a vikings town, so most casual Minnesotans probably won't even recognize him around town. He seems like he wants to win another world series though and I'm not seeing that with the current roster as constructed. 

[LewFordLives]

I was surprised no one asked Falvey about the Kiner-Falefa/Donaldson trade. He said the Correa deal came together quickly on Friday, but what happened the previous weekend that caused the Twins to do a complete 180 and trade Kiner-Falefa as part of the Donaldson salary dump? Did it become apparent last weekend that the Twins would have a chance to land Correa? 

[PDX Twin]

I still think Bob Allison is #4!

[LastOnePicked]

What a great read. I hope Correa knows that many dormant Twins fans are still hibernating, waiting for a winner. If this team wins playoff games, this state will explode again for baseball.

Heck, if Correa helps win one playoff game, a statue will be built here in his honor.

Here's hoping it a wonderful stay, no matter how long it lasts. Welcome to the Twins, Mr. Correa!

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, dex8425 said:

Certainly the pressure here is much less. It's a vikings town, so most casual Minnesotans probably won't even recognize him around town. He seems like he wants to win another world series though and I'm not seeing that with the current roster as constructed. 

There are many places in town he could be incognito even if he was wearing the #4 Correa jersey.

[DJL44]

18 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

Heck, if Correa helps win one playoff game, a statue will be built here in his honor.

I vote we just put a new head on the Calvin Griffith statue.

[RJA]

I was pulling up defensive gems by Buxton and Correa, and as I watched I was thinking that both of these players are generational talents, both offensively and defensively.  While injuries have impeded Buck more than Correa, if both are healthy they could be the best shortstop and center fielder in the game this year.  When is the last time the Twins have had two generational talents on the same team, both in their prime?

[PseudoSABR]

Does anyone have a link to the entire presser?

[The Mad King]

Bring on the pitching...

[Doctor Gast]

I watched the press conference. I picked up a great vib from Correa and have come to really like him. He has a lot to give to the Twins tangibily and untangibily. I'm sure Falvey convinced him that we can become winners, So let's go out there and trade for Montas or his equivalent and a back up CF.

[miller761]

No matter how long he is here, he sure looks good in that Twin's uniform. No need to worry about the future he is here to help this club win and get into the playoffs. His experience and drive along with his performance make this a very good contract for the Twins.

[Lasorda_This_Out]

Boras: "I know this...the Twins have a new explosion weapon, C4.”

C4....Love it!

[Sielk]

3 hours ago, PseudoSABR said:

Does anyone have a link to the entire presser?

Here you go:

 

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Sielk said:

Here you go:

Thanks for providing that.  I don't usually sit through entire 30-minute videos, especially when platitudes can be expected.  But gosh, I find it hard to understand any Twins fan NOT wanting to soak up every minute of this.  Who knows what the future brings, but that was a big day in Twins history.

Oh, and now I know how to pronounce Ted's last name.

[PseudoSABR]

2 hours ago, Sielk said:

Here you go:

 

Thanks for this, but there were many interesting things from watching the whole thing.

We've seen the quotes were C4 insinuates that he wants to invest in the Twins longterm, but I encourage everyone to watch just after the 21:00 minute, in response to a pointed question on the subject, Falvey responds, and his take is basically we've got this guy, we'll deal with keeping him down the road; and Carlos' response, just after, is pretty akin.

Also, it's clear Rocco is a huge recruiting asset.

And I didn't realize how articulate and measured Scott Boras is; an impressive dude.

[Monkeypaws]

Rocco gets a ton of credit for this happening, from Correa's account of the negotiation.

[bighat]

16 hours ago, Melissa said:

he lacked the devil's horns or tail so he couldn't be Scott Boras! And then your tweet clarified that yes, that's the man.

Alas, as a powerful half-human daemon, Boras has the ability to hide the horns & tail. Most nights he transforms into a làbh-allan - a type of evil Scottish water-shrew - and feeds on the blood of cattle and other livestock. Quite a sneaky guy and extremely difficult to catch while in shrew form. 

As for the captions, it was probably just an oversight. Every once in a while on places like TD, you'll see signs that maybe not all of the writers spent 4 years in journalism school or worked as a reporter before starting here. Frankly, that's part of the fun - you can have real discussions with managing editors, authors, and other staff members (Reusse's not writing you back, is he?). Overall they do a VERY solid journalistic job, any mistakes are usually corrected quickly, but they are usually very minor.

They also put up with us obnoxious commenters bickering about things like WAR, BABIP, OPS+ and players' shoe sizes, so we all cut 'em a break and don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[DJL44]

16 hours ago, RJA said:

When is the last time the Twins have had two generational talents on the same team, both in their prime?

2007 - Mauer and Santana