Lewis Optioned

[Otaknam]

It is clear to me that they want Lewis to play SS every day in anticipation of Correa leaving after this year. Maybe give him a few games in left or first base but let him play shortstop. I think he’ll get plenty of ABs in the big leagues this year with injury issues to the roster. The Kiroloff injuries have left first base bereft of talent. That’s probably the easiest position to move people to, yet they have no one at AAA who can fill in.

[arby58]

Lewis isn't going to play every day for the Twins without him ending up in unfamiliar positions or Correa going back on the IL. I'd rather he was getting time in at 3B or LF at AAA, where there is less pressure to perform, than in MLB. It's possible his comfort level at the plate was also because he was comfortable in the field. Somehow, I think the Twins management, who has been around him a lot more than any of us, can weigh those factors better than we all can.

[arby58]

23 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

It is clear to me that they want Lewis to play SS every day in anticipation of Correa leaving after this year. Maybe give him a few games in left or first base but let him play shortstop. I think he’ll get plenty of ABs in the big leagues this year with injury issues to the roster. The Kiroloff injuries have left first base bereft of talent. That’s probably the easiest position to move people to, yet they have no one at AAA who can fill in.

Kiriloff had four hits yesterday. It's possible he returns in the not too distant future.

[ashbury]

4 hours ago, Otto von Ballpark said:

Thanks! Some of the Chipper Jones parallels are great:

- first overall pick, just like Lewis
- per B-Ref, Jones exclusively played shortstop in the minors, as you note (even moreso than Lewis, apparently)
- missed his entire expected rookie MLB season to a torn ACL (very similar to Lewis in 2021)
- next year, had his rookie MLB season spring training shortened by a labor dispute (like Lewis 2022)
- made the team as a rookie playing 3B and occasionally LF (Lewis 2022, now that Correa is back?)

A difference was that Jones was a poor defensive shortstop, it appears -- 56 errors in his first full minor league season, followed by 32 and 43 the next two years. I don't know that he was ever expected to play shortstop in MLB, but the record suggests they were in no rush to convert him.

And of course, the Braves won the World Series in Jones' rookie season. Hopefully that becomes another parallel with Lewis!

I forgot about Jones's year off. Uncanny parallel.

I happened to attend Jones's final minor league game - game 7 of the league championship series in Charlotte NC when I happened to be in the region on business.  Great seats down behind home plate that my brother and I picked up for $7 or whatever just by walking up to the box office - minor league ball has its perks.  Anyway, Jones is one of my most glaring failures in scouting, ever.  I watched him in that game and concluded, "he's the real deal.  Major league ready right now.  Plug him in at shortstop and forget about him - he's making all the plays."  LOL.... apparently.

I was gobsmacked to learn that the Braves had no thought of doing that and planned to put him at 3B from the gitgo. (And then the injury happened.)  Now, I don't think the errors are necessarily how to judge a minor league SS - fields are rougher, first basemen are less adept at scooping low throws, and so forth.  I am more interested in range.  Robin Yount had an .877 fielding percentage at SS in the minors, and the Brewers didn't feel inhibited to bring him on up anyway.   I remain of the opinion that Jones would have been just as much a HOFer at shortstop, but modern defensive numbers even at 3B aren't overly kind to him, and if the Braves preferred veteran Jeff Blauser's stylings there better, who am I to argue?

[LA VIkes Fan]

Good article in the Athletic about how the Twins' players took the Lewis demotion. The gist of it is that they weren't happy but "understood" and they expect him back in the short to medium term.  Here's a link, not sure if you can get the article if you don't subscribe to the Athletic:

https://theathletic.com/3321067/2022/05/18/royce-lewis-demoted-minnesota-twins/

[nicksaviking]

6 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

You are right... He is just a phone call away. 

With me... It's whatever led to this decision. 

Any decision that leads to Lewis going down and Miranda staying up... scares me. shakes my faith. 

The move itself... is survivable.

Whatever processes led to this decision... if they remain... may not be survivable. 

Any way you slice it. They sent down one of our best players. 

I never worried about them keeping Miranda up instead of Lewis, I assumed it was only because of the 1B experience.

I just don't like the idea of him being sent down to capitulate to a struggling veteran. Are they worried Urshela wouldn't take it well? Are they worried if Urshela doesn't take it well his buddy Sanchez also won't take it well? I'd guess not, but as noted all over this thread, learning a new position at the MLB level is hardly an oddity so there would seem to be some other motive.

Maybe it really is to get him reps at other spots. That's just a new working practice for this organization as they haven't sweated position changes for anyone else.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

I never worried about them keeping Miranda up instead of Lewis, I assumed it was only because of the 1B experience.

I just don't like the idea of him being sent down to capitulate to a struggling veteran. Are they worried Urshela wouldn't take it well? Are they worried if Urshela doesn't take it well his buddy Sanchez also won't take it well? I'd guess not, but as noted all over this thread, learning a new position at the MLB level is hardly an oddity so there would seem to be some other motive.

Maybe it really is to get him reps at other spots. That's just a new working practice for this organization as they haven't sweated position changes for anyone else.

I tend to take them at their word. They are sending Lewis down to get some work at other positions instead of doing this at the major league level.

You are right, this is a brand new concern for them since Arraez and Nick Gordon are living breathing examples of not being stymied by this concern before but I will take them at their word that this concern is now a thing all of a sudden.    

Miranda... In my eyes... he is merely a symbol for what's wrong with the decision making process here. Miranda needs to return to St. Paul and should have been the first guy in the Uber heading that direction so I mention him to exclamate my point. (I think I just made up a word with Exclamate). I assume Miranda is the guy sent down when Larnach returns but while we wait for Larnach to return... someone else could get hurt and then Miranda's time in the majors extends. Or once Miranda's time extends due to someone's injury... we just send Miranda down anyway because he is still absolutely struggling and now the discussion bounces back to we should have just sent him down when Correa came back. Miranda should have been first in line and this is hardly a debate in my eyes.    

On the capitulating to veterans thought. I get the need to hang on to those without options instead of losing them and hurting your depth but we don't have to capitulate ever. It never has to be an either or where a player either plays every single day or he sits every single day scenario. There is middle ground. Kepler, Urshela, Larnach, Arraez, all of them playing 6 games out of 7 or 5 games out of 7 to accommodate Lewis in the lineup is not only possible but is already being done. Rocco is already resting and utilizing his roster in this fashion.     

The only players on a roster who should play 7 out of 7 games are players who play like they should play 7 out of 7 games. To deserve that designation... you have to clearly out distance your peers. We have Buxton, Correa and Polanco who fit that description. Buxton can't physically and Polanco is borderline but that's it... the others are not clearly out distancing their peers to lock down a position.   

And I'll say it... when you look at the rest of the players outside of that group of 3... they are all decent but only one of them was performing at the level to be considered for eventual 7 out of 7 games designation and eventually join the group of Buxton, Correa and Polanco.

His Name... (Drum Roll Please). 

Royce Lewis

 

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I tend to take them at their word. They are sending Lewis down to get some work at other positions instead of doing this at the major league level.

You are right, this is a brand new concern for them since Arraez and Nick Gordon are living breathing examples of not being stymied by this concern before but I will take them at their word that this concern is now a thing all of a sudden.    

Miranda... In my eyes... he is merely a symbol for what's wrong with the decision making process here. Miranda needs to return to St. Paul and should have been the first guy in the Uber heading that direction so I mention him to exclamate my point. (I think I just made up a word with Exclamate). I assume Miranda is the guy sent down when Larnach returns but while we wait for Larnach to return... someone else could get hurt and then Miranda's time in the majors extends. Or once Miranda's time extends due to someone's injury... we just send Miranda down anyway because he is still absolutely struggling and now the discussion bounces back to we should have just sent him down when Correa came back. Miranda should have been first in line and this is hardly a debate in my eyes.    

On the capitulating to veterans thought. I get the need to hang on to those without options instead of losing them and hurting your depth but we don't have to capitulate ever. It never has to be an either or where a player either plays every single day or he sits every single day scenario. There is middle ground. Kepler, Urshela, Larnach, Arraez, all of them playing 6 games out of 7 or 5 games out of 7 to accommodate Lewis in the lineup is not only possible but is already being done. Rocco is already resting and utilizing his roster in this fashion.     

The only players on a roster who should play 7 out of 7 games are players who play like they should play 7 out of 7 games. To deserve that designation... you have to clearly out distance your peers. We have Buxton, Correa and Polanco who fit that description. Buxton can't physically and Polanco is borderline but that's it... the others are not clearly out distancing their peers to lock down a position.   

And I'll say it... when you look at the rest of the players outside of that group of 3... they are all decent but only one of them was performing at the level to be considered for eventual 7 out of 7 games designation and eventually join the group of Buxton, Correa and Polanco.

His Name... (Drum Roll Please). 

Royce Lewis

 

Gordon and Arraez were moved out of desperation. I don't get how context seems not to matter to how we think about their decision making. 

[Riverbrian]

7 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Gordon and Arraez were moved out of desperation. I don't get how context seems not to matter to how we think about their decision making. 

I understand why they moved Arraez to 1B. I understand why Gordon is playing OF. I don't disagree with those moves because I'm not afraid of this type of thing. You do what you have to do based on context. 

But a precedent has been set out of that desperation you mention and the results have not been a disaster. That is also context that matters. The setting of the precedent and not having it blow up in their faces is also context. 

Also... this desperation context that applies to Arraez and Gordon also applies to Lewis. The uptick of playing Lewis in LF over Gordon probably surpasses the uptick of Gordon playing LF over Contreres or Cave. If Gordon is going to hit like he has... I'm pretty desperate to replace that with someone who is ripping the cover off the ball. 

If positional experience is that important. We shouldn't have tried Gordon out of desperation period. We didn't have to. Contreres, Cave, Fisher... take your pick, they are praying for a phone call. Sorry Nick... your experience is at 2B.   

So if you require bottoming out before such considerations.... if that is the context... umm... that will never fly with me. 

 

 

 

 

 

[FlyingFinn]

Just to add fuel to the fire - Lewis led off the game tonight with the Saints with a.......................home run and the position he is playing is listed as................................ SS.

[ashbury]

5 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Just to add fuel to the fire - Lewis led off the game tonight with the Saints with a.......................home run and the position he is playing is listed as................................ SS.

Hold your fire.  In fairness, it's only the top of the first, and though listed at SS he hasn't actually taken the field on defense yet.

[PDX Twin]

6 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Hold your fire.  In fairness, it's only the top of the first, and though listed at SS he hasn't actually taken the field on defense yet.

He's now in the field at SS. Made a nice attempt at a play. Balazovic has given up more runs than outs so far in the first inning.

[Riverbrian]

24 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Just to add fuel to the fire - Lewis led off the game tonight with the Saints with a.......................home run and the position he is playing is listed as................................ SS.

Well Of Course... you can't throw him into an unfamiliar position in his first game back to AAA. ?

[PDX Twin]

6-1 in the second against Balazovic, all earned; two doubles and a homer against him. Two errors already, including one by Kirilloff at first. This is not even a decent Saints team right now.

[Major League Ready]

On 5/18/2022 at 10:00 AM, TheLeviathan said:

Defensible, sure.  But it feels like we sent down one of our best regular 9 today and that doesn't feel great.  

It does make me want to resolve the future with Correa as soon as possible so we can decide where Lewis should be getting comfortable.

What are the chances Correa does not opt out?  My guess ... 1%.  The question is will he be gone at the end of the year or 8/1.

[Major League Ready]

On 5/18/2022 at 11:22 AM, Rosterman said:

We want Lewis to play shortstop, period. If you want to have a guy learn a position, send Miranda to St. Paul to play first base and bring up Curtis Terry (in place of Garlick) on the roster.

Kirilloff is also the first baseman of the future and should be getting as much reps as possible.

Gio is only here for another season, so Miranda, if he can get his bat going, WILL be the third baseman.

Yes, Correa needs to play everday at shortstop. So we better see him at that position everyday for the nhext couple of weeks, otherwise there were better choices to send to the minors in the shortterm.

If Miranda gets it together, Gio is traded provided he hits reasonably well or non-tendered if the bat is cold.  It's even possible Steer takes over 3rd next year if Miranda continues to struggle.  I don't think GIO is here next year but it is fun watching him play 3B.

[Riverbrian]

7 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

What are the chances Correa does not opt out?  My guess ... 1%.  The question is will he be gone at the end of the year or 8/1.

8/1?

You got us as potential sellers?

[Squirrel]

8 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

What are the chances Correa does not opt out?  My guess ... 1%.  The question is will he be gone at the end of the year or 8/1.

We’re not trading him if we’re still in first. Or second for that matter. And if we’re in first, or in line for a playoff spot, and trade him to make room for Lewis, that would be the dumbest thing ever. He’s not going to tell us he’s opting out by then. What’s his trade clause like anyway? Don’t remember.  I thought it was a way less than 1% chance we signed him to begin with, so I think that 1% chance he stays and/or we extend him is pretty good

[nicksaviking]

8 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

What are the chances Correa does not opt out?  My guess ... 1%.  The question is will he be gone at the end of the year or 8/1.

If Correa has a season similar to his 2018 or 2020 seasons, he most likely won't opt out. And his current OPS is much closer to those seasons than it is to his peak seasons. 

He'll likely opt out, but the odds aren't nearly that dramatic. Two bad years out of seven is 29%, that actually seems like more likely odds to me. 

[Riverbrian]

32 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

We’re not trading him if we’re still in first. Or second for that matter. And if we’re in first, or in line for a playoff spot, and trade him to make room for Lewis, that would be the dumbest thing ever. He’s not going to tell us he’s opting out by then. What’s his trade clause like anyway? Don’t remember.  I thought it was a way less than 1% chance we signed him to begin with, so I think that 1% chance he stays and/or we extend him is pretty good

I believe that in order to consider trading Correa at the deadline, we would have to be out of contention.

In order to be out of contention it will take a real crappy June.

If we have a real crappy June... I believe we will see Royce Lewis back up because the front office will be looking for something to stop the crappy June. ?

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

8/1?

You got us as potential sellers?

Probably not.  I would not bet one way or the other at this point.  You had it pretty much dead on before the season started.  They put a good team on the field while positioning for 2023 and beyond.  They are a good team but not a top contender.  

Their approach / strategy seemed pretty clear to me from the time they traded Berrios and it became even more clear when they traded Donaldson.  Trading Rodgers made it even more evident.  Just as you said at the start of the season.  They managed to put a good team on the field but their actions screamed the priority was building a sustainable winner beyond this year.  I don’t see them changing course because the team is a fringe contender unless the offense comes together like it did in 2019.  

Let’s revisit this is 6 weeks.  Here is my top 10 list of questions to answer.  
1)    Does the pitching stay healthy?
2)    How doe Josh Winder performs now that he is inserted in the rotation
3)    Does Buxton stays healthy
4)    Will Correa plays to his norm
5)    Does Duran dominates?
6)    Do Kepler / Celestino keep up they great play.
7)    Can we find a solution at 1B
8     Does Larnach pick up where he left off.
9)    Will Sanchez continues his recent improvement
10)   What kind of offers to the get for Correa / Archer / Bundy / Sanchez / Smith.
 

 

 

[Squirrel]

Just now, Riverbrian said:

I believe that in order to consider trading Correa at the deadline, we would have to be out of contention.

In order to be out of contention it will take a real crappy June.

If we have a real crappy June... I believe we will see Royce Lewis back up because the front office will be looking for something to stop the crappy June. ?

I think he will be back up regardless of crappy or not crappy. But then, I really don't know about these things. Remember, we have to send down a pitcher by May 30, and cut our pitcher numbers to 13. That means we have to add a position player then. I think Miranda will go down for Larnach ... then it's either between Lewis or Kirilloff to come up on the 30th. My money is on Lewis.  

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

We’re not trading him if we’re still in first. Or second for that matter. And if we’re in first, or in line for a playoff spot, and trade him to make room for Lewis, that would be the dumbest thing ever. He’s not going to tell us he’s opting out by then. What’s his trade clause like anyway? Don’t remember.  I thought it was a way less than 1% chance we signed him to begin with, so I think that 1% chance he stays and/or we extend him is pretty good

Of course, he is not going to tell the team he is opting out.  However, if his performance is solid he would be able to sign a $275-$300M contract this off-season.  There is no chance  he does not opt out if he and Boras believe that kind of contract is waiting for him.  Age has the biggest impact on short-stops and Center Fielders in terms of free agent contracts.  His career earnings are going to be the highest if he can get a 7+ year deal this off-season.

I would hope the deadline decisions are made based on our chances to actually contend as opposed to what place we are in.

[nicksaviking]

22 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Of course, he is not going to tell the team he is opting out.  However, if his performance is solid he would be able to sign a $275-$300M contract this off-season.  There is no chance  he does not opt out if he and Boras believe that kind of contract is waiting for him.  Age has the biggest impact on short-stops and Center Fielders in terms of free agent contracts.  His career earnings are going to be the highest if he can get a 7+ year deal this off-season.

I would hope the deadline decisions are made based on our chances to actually contend as opposed to what place we are in.

The more I think about it, the more I think there's a reasonable chance he stays next year. I mean not 50/50, but better than we've all assumed.

He really seems to like it here, like his teammates and like being a team leader. Also, why did he sign a three year deal with opt outs, instead of a two year deal with an opt out? Maybe because the SS class of 2022-23 is going to also be strong. There's a great chance he's the #3 SS on the market after Xander Bogaerts and Trea Turner and 35M/year is really good for the #3 SS free agent. After next off season, he'll still only be 29 which would still put him in line to get a big money long term deal. 

His current contract just makes it really easy for him to play things by ear and still maximize his earnings.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

Probably not.  I would not bet one way or the other at this point.  You had it pretty much dead on before the season started.  They put a good team on the field while positioning for 2023 and beyond.  They are a good team but not a top contender.  

Their approach / strategy seemed pretty clear to me from the time they traded Berrios and it became even more clear when they traded Donaldson.  Trading Rodgers made it even more evident.  Just as you said at the start of the season.  They managed to put a good team on the field but their actions screamed the priority was building a sustainable winner beyond this year.  I don’t see them changing course because the team is a fringe contender unless the offense comes together like it did in 2019.  

Let’s revisit this is 6 weeks.  Here is my top 10 list of questions to answer.  
1)    Does the pitching stay healthy?
2)    How doe Josh Winder performs now that he is inserted in the rotation
3)    Does Buxton stays healthy
4)    Will Correa plays to his norm
5)    Does Duran dominates?
6)    Do Kepler / Celestino keep up they great play.
7)    Can we find a solution at 1B
8     Does Larnach pick up where he left off.
9)    Will Sanchez continues his recent improvement
10)   What kind of offers to the get for Correa / Archer / Bundy / Sanchez / Smith.
 

 

 

Berrios: Out of the Race... Deal to good to pass up. The farm crops were going to start filling the grain bin so you take a different apporach in the off-season.  

Donaldson: To Get out of that Contract

Rogers: 1 Year left and decent starting pitching is tough to acquire and you need a lot of it. 

All good questions... I don't have those answers but I'll try. 

1. It never does but we have depth to replace those that go down. I only ask that we are able to walk away from anyone who struggles for a reasonable amount of time. I am looking at Bundy and Archer as I say that. I'm not advocating walking away at this point.  

2. Winder looks good and is that depth that makes me more comfortable. 

3. Probably not and that's part of the reason why I tend to focus on the development of players 4 through 13 on the roster and would rather not see Lewis in St. Paul. 

4. I don't worry about Correa at all. At Worst he is productive... At best... He's a superstar. 

5. If he stays healthy... Yes. His stuff is too good. I still want him in a multi-inning role and I would like him to maintain starter possible in the futre. 

6. I'm very encouraged by Kepler's improvement and his new found ability to go the other way. I still wouldn't call his play great and I still think he should be challenged for playing time by others on the 26 man roster and Celestino should be considered a worthy challenger right now. If Celestino isn't rewarded with that playing time to truly challenge. If he stays primarily a short side platoon. What Celestino does won't matter to me or the club.   

7. If we are buyers... Yes. There will be a ton of 1B options to consider and probably not that expensive to acquire. Until then we can get by with the parts we have to work with. 

8. I don't know but that would be fantastic. 

9. When Sanchez was acquired... I thought he was a reasonable replacement for what Garver provided us. 

10. If we are not contending. They will be the primary reason that we are not (other than Correa) and therefore... not much value at all.    

[bunsen82]

10 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

What are the chances Correa does not opt out?  My guess ... 1%.  The question is will he be gone at the end of the year or 8/1.

 

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

We’re not trading him if we’re still in first. Or second for that matter. And if we’re in first, or in line for a playoff spot, and trade him to make room for Lewis, that would be the dumbest thing ever. He’s not going to tell us he’s opting out by then. What’s his trade clause like anyway? Don’t remember.  I thought it was a way less than 1% chance we signed him to begin with, so I think that 1% chance he stays and/or we extend him is pretty good

My guess is if the bat continues to heat up,  the Twins are in the drivers seat and can decide how they want to approach the deadline.  My base case has always been he gets traded.  I think the twins view all their players as commodities and values and try to improve the team anyway they can.  Now if the calculus is he will not opt out after this year,  then they have more time to have him on the team and delay the ultimate trade deal.  From my view,  even though Correa is a very good player,  we were looking for a shortstop for insurance for Lewis.   If Lewis flamed out, the Twins could have decided to get a new deal done with Correa if he was interested.   The front office will have a dilemma on their hands if the Twins are still in first and they still want to trade him.  My guess is they still trade him and deal with the fan ire.    

[chpettit19]

48 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I think he will be back up regardless of crappy or not crappy. But then, I really don't know about these things. Remember, we have to send down a pitcher by May 30, and cut our pitcher numbers to 13. That means we have to add a position player then. I think Miranda will go down for Larnach ... then it's either between Lewis or Kirilloff to come up on the 30th. My money is on Lewis.  

We've established our differing opinions on the Lewis situation, but I'm curious as why you think Lewis would be the call instead of Kirilloff at the end of the month. Assuming Miranda was kept because of his ability to play 1B while the Twins don't feel comfortable with anyone else on the current roster doing it I'd think Kirilloff has the leg up. I mean if 1B is the reason Miranda is up now I don't know why it's so obvious he goes down when another OFer comes back. I agree that's the obvious call, but to me that'd suggest his ability to play 1B isn't all that important to them since there's still no 1B on the roster when Larnach comes back.

[Riverbrian]

52 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I think he will be back up regardless of crappy or not crappy. But then, I really don't know about these things. Remember, we have to send down a pitcher by May 30, and cut our pitcher numbers to 13. That means we have to add a position player then. I think Miranda will go down for Larnach ... then it's either between Lewis or Kirilloff to come up on the 30th. My money is on Lewis.  

I hope so... I'd like him back for tonight's game. ?

[Riverbrian]

4 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

We've established our differing opinions on the Lewis situation, but I'm curious as why you think Lewis would be the call instead of Kirilloff at the end of the month. Assuming Miranda was kept because of his ability to play 1B while the Twins don't feel comfortable with anyone else on the current roster doing it I'd think Kirilloff has the leg up. I mean if 1B is the reason Miranda is up now I don't know why it's so obvious he goes down when another OFer comes back. I agree that's the obvious call, but to me that'd suggest his ability to play 1B isn't all that important to them since there's still no 1B on the roster when Larnach comes back.

This is a good point. 

They've shown that this type of thing is a factor based on the Lewis demotion. 

It's not a slam dunk that Lewis is first guy back. 

[chpettit19]

6 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

 

My guess is if the bat continues to heat up,  the Twins are in the drivers seat and can decide how they want to approach the deadline.  My base case has always been he gets traded.  I think the twins view all their players as commodities and values and try to improve the team anyway they can.  Now if the calculus is he will not opt out after this year,  then they have more time to have him on the team and delay the ultimate trade deal.  From my view,  even though Correa is a very good player,  we were looking for a shortstop for insurance for Lewis.   If Lewis flamed out, the Twins could have decided to get a new deal done with Correa if he was interested.   The front office will have a dilemma on their hands if the Twins are still in first and they still want to trade him.  My guess is they still trade him and deal with the fan ire.    

I'm generally not one for "this sends a bad message to future free agents" kind of talk, but if they sign him and then trade him despite being in first place in the division it may actually send a terrible message to future free agents and everyone in the clubhouse. It's not the fan ire they should worry about there, but the player ire.

He has a full no trade clause that kicks in (if I'm remembering correctly) if he picks up his option so the only time they could trade him without his approval is by the deadline and he even has a limited no trade now (again, if I'm remembering correctly). The players all know it's a business, but trading Correa in the middle of a division race would be an awful message to send to the team and I'd think you could kiss any hope of "hometown" discounts for anyone currently on the roster goodbye. That's an awful way to run an organization.