A lot to sort out here but quite a bit of good news mixed in. The Dodgers appear to be out on Correa, as they're not keen on spending that kind of money on a player their fanbase loathes. The Giants are still in after missing out on Judge, as are the Twins. He believes the Cubs are a long shot, though mentions the Padres possibly being in, which contradicts what I heard elsewhere where the Pads were "Turner or bust", which is baffling given how they already have Tatis Jr coming back this season. Boegarts and the Red Sox appear to be back at the negotiating table so that's good news as well. And given that the Yankees just broke the bank with retaining Judge, it's hard to see them doubling down for Correa, especially given their apparent faith in their farm system at short.

All in all, this seems pretty promising. I think it's going to be Giants vs Twins with no clear favorite.

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So you're telling me...there's a chance? Mostly good news there, that's for certain. Hard to see us winning a battle for him with SF, but you never know. It's definitely very quiet on the Twins front right now. I don't know if that's good or bad. 

I always thought that the Dodgers pursuing Correa was comical for the exact reason they're supposedly out.  

 

Yeah, that seems about right. I can't see it working with the Padres since they have a 3B who thinks he should be the shortstop and a SS who agreed to a mega pre-arb deal after the Padres told him he could move back to short instead of playing the outfield. Makes sense they'd have more interest in Turner who was assumed to play another position soon.

The Giants are the scary team; they'll be motivated. But man, looking at their roster, I'm not sure Correa would want to go there if he's looking to compete soon. They got one young stud starter and no one else of note in the rotation, and the lineup is made up mostly of grey-beards and uninspiring journeymen.

I get it, no one's happy with the Twins recent performances, but an objective outsider looking at the two rosters would almost certainly give the edge to the Twins.

29 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

I always thought that the Dodgers pursuing Correa was comical for the exact reason they're supposedly out.  

 

Vikings signed favre, Yankees clemens so it does happen. I would have no concerns signing Correa to a long-term contract if I knew it wouldn't prevent us from signing other players as well. But Correa eating up a third of the payroll doesn't interest me if that's the route they choose.

I am still mystified - we finished under 500 with Correa getting the highest salary in 2022.  Now we want to make sure he keeps getting a high salary, but we have done nothing to make the team around him better so we think that having one overpaid superstar on the team will make a difference - check on the Angels.  

So if no other team stays interested in Correa where's his leverage to jack up his salary? That Twins contract Correa just opted out of just might be his best offer. Take it or leave it? With no more opt outs?

Just now, notoriousgod71 said:

Vikings signed favre, Yankees clemens so it does happen. I would have no concerns signing Correa to a long-term contract if I knew it wouldn't prevent us from signing other players as well. But Correa eating up a third of the payroll doesn't interest me if that's the route they choose.

An interesting thing to think about is that I heard it mentioned that the Dodgers are currently under the luxury tax penalty.

And that means they get to reset several years of penalties if they stay under it.

That in itself could be encouragement for them to stay quiet this offseason.

I don't see BOS renegociating with Bogaert helps us with Correa. I see it as hurting us because that brings Cubs into the Correa competition 

It sounds like the bigger Dodger concern is the Bauer bill they may be having to pay soon. They are out on basically all big money guys because of that. Being in the luxury tax means if his appeal goes his way and they have to pay his whole salary they're getting hit with a massive tax bill on top of his already massive contract they think they got out of with his suspension.

It sounds like the Padres prefer to move Tatis to the OF. Which makes sense to me. They seem to be looking to upgrade on Kim with the presumption of Tatis basically being done as a SS.

I'm not sure the Red Sox being back at the table with Bogaerts is good. It certainly might be, but they don't feel like they really want to spend money these days. Bogaerts is the likely backup plan to missing on Correa and I'd prefer him still be available if the Twins miss on Correa. I don't like the Twins chances to outbid the Giants so would like to have a chance at Bogaerts still if they lose on Correa.

7 minutes ago, notoriousgod71 said:

Vikings signed favre, Yankees clemens so it does happen. I would have no concerns signing Correa to a long-term contract if I knew it wouldn't prevent us from signing other players as well. But Correa eating up a third of the payroll doesn't interest me if that's the route they choose.

I found those signings humorous too though.  

I'm sure they'd cheer Correa on if he was wearing their jersey.  It all depends on whose ox is being gored.  

9 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I am still mystified - we finished under 500 with Correa getting the highest salary in 2022.  Now we want to make sure he keeps getting a high salary, but we have done nothing to make the team around him better so we think that having one overpaid superstar on the team will make a difference - check on the Angels.  

For the most part, the young players on the team played well when they got a chance, and young players tend to improve. I think it's more about getting the vets who no longer contribute off of the team. Addition by subtraction. Goodbye Archer, Bundy, Sanchez and Sano (maybe Kepler and Polanco too). 

Are they really gonna pony up 300 mill?

Seems as if the Turner got as much money as he did that the Giants have made at least that big of an offer to Carlos already. Maybe I am wrong, but I would guess if the Twins are still in it, they have made a very substantial offer. 

That or Correa's market isn't what he thought it was! 

5 minutes ago, Battle ur tail off said:

Are they really gonna pony up 300 mill?

Seems as if the Turner got as much money as he did that the Giants have made at least that big of an offer to Carlos already. Maybe I am wrong, but I would guess if the Twins are still in it, they have made a very substantial offer. 

That or Correa's market isn't what he thought it was! 

I keep wondering what the league knows - last year there was the first wave of "great" SS and he took our offer because he could not get what he thought he should.  Now we are in year two of the "Great" SS and we are seeing the teams signing Turner, Bogaerts is close to a deal with Boston and if that happens we have Swanson - first FA year and Correa - second FA year.  Offer him another opt out contract and get him for one more year - next year there will not be the SS crowd.  Of move on. 

And by the way Contreras signed with the Cardinals who know catching is essential. 

One thing that's changing next year that might work against MN luring FAs is the balanced schedule.  Back in the day (ie last year) the competition was harsh on the coasts but CLE/CHW/MIN and CHC/STL/MIL got to beat up on the weak kids in the Centrals to get a ticket to the post-season. In the new world the Padres and Dodgers will be spending less time beating on each other and more time stalking the weak sisters in fly-over country. We'll still get a division spot, but there's little chance of a wild-card anymore.  FAs that want a short trip to the post-season will be paying attention. 

2 minutes ago, Cris E said:

One thing that's changing next year that might work against MN luring FAs is the balanced schedule.  Back in the day (ie last year) the competition was harsh on the coasts but CLE/CHW/MIN and CHC/STL/MIL got to beat up on the weak kids in the Centrals to get a ticket to the post-season. In the new world the Padres and Dodgers will be spending less time beating on each other and more time stalking the weak sisters in fly-over country. We'll still get a division spot, but there's little chance of a wild-card anymore.  FAs that want a short trip to the post-season will be paying attention. 

You might be right. And you also might have exposed yet another way that MLB is cutting it's own throat and basically making the entire league a 5-6 team or so competition.

55 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I am still mystified - we finished under 500 with Correa getting the highest salary in 2022.  Now we want to make sure he keeps getting a high salary, but we have done nothing to make the team around him better so we think that having one overpaid superstar on the team will make a difference - check on the Angels.  

We have a new trainer. With almost everyone constantly spending time on the IL in 2022, this is perhaps the most significant move they could have made in the offseason. They would have been a much different team if they had half of the injury time they had last year. Maybe not Dodgers good, but possibly Phillies good. 

.... OK maybe Phillies good is a bit of a stretch... .but they would have been good enough to win the AL Central... probably. 

Ok... This is an answer to a question that maybe nobody asked, but it does make sense for the Twins to pour in a bunch of money on Correa (even if he is a tad overrated... just my opinion). Currently the franchise face is Buxton, who may or may not ever play more than a few dozen games per year. The old remaining 'franchise' squad of Polanco, Kepler, and Sano obviously wasn't enough to draw any interest among people who are just casual baseball fans. Correa would give us several years of another Mauer or Morneau caliber player ... which is currently sorely lacking. 

23 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Addition by subtraction. Goodbye Archer, Bundy, Sanchez and Sano (maybe Kepler and Polanco too).

Some of that subtraction, freeing up cash for a front line starter (Rodon)+ a healthy Buxton = success.

4 minutes ago, chinmusic said:

a healthy Buxton

and a leprechaun too

31 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

and a leprechaun too

Until Buxton's career is over, I'll never give up on that dream....lol

Dansby Swanson would be a very nice consolation prize if SF signs Correa.  And a lot cheaper.

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

And by the way Contreras signed with the Cardinals who know catching is essential

Yes I totally agree 

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

It sounds like the bigger Dodger concern is the Bauer bill they may be having to pay soon. They are out on basically all big money guys because of that. Being in the luxury tax means if his appeal goes his way and they have to pay his whole salary they're getting hit with a massive tax bill on top of his already massive contract they think they got out of with his suspension.

It sounds like the Padres prefer to move Tatis to the OF. Which makes sense to me. They seem to be looking to upgrade on Kim with the presumption of Tatis basically being done as a SS.

I'm not sure the Red Sox being back at the table with Bogaerts is good. It certainly might be, but they don't feel like they really want to spend money these days. Bogaerts is the likely backup plan to missing on Correa and I'd prefer him still be available if the Twins miss on Correa. I don't like the Twins chances to outbid the Giants so would like to have a chance at Bogaerts still if they lose on Correa.

Yeah I wouldn't take much comfort in Bogaerts or any of the top SS names coming off the market, particularly with other clubs circling and Twins' recent penchant for the "wait and see," approach.

I would say the Dodgers are all in on Ohtani NEXT year.  But the point made about Bauer's salary was an excellent one.  That's a LOT to pay for NOTHING.  I would like to see Correa back with the Twins, but Swanson and Bogaerts would be pretty darn good at 60% of the cost.  

3 hours ago, wsnydes said:

I always thought that the Dodgers pursuing Correa was comical for the exact reason they're supposedly out.  

 

But it's a great way for SF to stick it to LAD.

3 hours ago, Cris E said:

One thing that's changing next year that might work against MN luring FAs is the balanced schedule.  Back in the day (ie last year) the competition was harsh on the coasts but CLE/CHW/MIN and CHC/STL/MIL got to beat up on the weak kids in the Centrals to get a ticket to the post-season. In the new world the Padres and Dodgers will be spending less time beating on each other and more time stalking the weak sisters in fly-over country. We'll still get a division spot, but there's little chance of a wild-card anymore.  FAs that want a short trip to the post-season will be paying attention. 

People are making far too big of a deal out of the less-unbalanced schedule next year. It's not a balanced schedule, it's just a little less unbalanced.

Instead of playing 19 games versus division opponents, everyone will play 14-ish games versus division opponents.

In the end, that's probably worth 1-2 wins if you play in the AL East and 1-2 losses if you play in the AL Central. It's not going to move the needle much for the Twins because instead of playing some bad teams (and one good team), you play mediocrity (as in the entirety of the NL, which comes out to around .500).

In 2022, the rest of the AL Central had a .469 winning percentage. The entire NL had a .499 winning percentage.

Hayes and Gleeman with an update on Correa. They're talking up the Padres, who seemed like they were out and now may be back in. And, of course, the Giants are still very much in play.

https://theathletic.com/3980840/2022/12/07/twins-carlos-correa-winter-meetings/

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Yes I totally agree 

I second that opinion.

34 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Hayes and Gleeman with an update on Correa. They're talking up the Padres, who seemed like they were out and now may be back in. And, of course, the Giants are still very much in play.

https://theathletic.com/3980840/2022/12/07/twins-carlos-correa-winter-meetings/

It almost seems as if this could be decided in the next week …