Mets Also Have Medical Concerns about Carlos Correa

[John Bonnes]

The calendar says it's Christmas Eve, but for the Twins, it's Groundhog Day.

Image courtesy of © Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Stop me if you've heard this before - but Carlos Correa 's new team has concerns about his physical. This morning Ken Rosenthal and Dan Hayes reported that the Mets, who agreed to a $315M 12-year deal with Correa earlier this week, have medical concerns about Correa.

Can this open the door for the Twins? Rosenthal reports that the two parties are trying to work through the news. But that news also means the agreement is in question. 

The Mets only have that agreement because a similar drama played out earlier this week between Correa and the San Francisco Giants, who had a 13-year, $350M deal with Correa. On the day the Giants were officially scheduled to introduce Correa to their fans, they delayed the press conference due to medical concerns. As a result of those concerns, the deal fell apart, and Correa signed with the Mets later that same night. 

Those medical concerns surrounded Correa's right leg, which has a plate due to surgery on a broken fibula in 2014 when he was a minor leaguer with the Astros. It has never landed him on the Injured List in his major league career, but there are concerns it will reduce his lateral mobility as he ages. That becomes increasingly important when signing someone for 12 years of hundreds of millions of guaranteed money.

The Twins pursued Correa before his deal with the Giants and reportedly were also interested after that deal fell apart, but declined to raise their final offer to him, which was $285M over ten years. They also wanted to learn more about the medical concerns raised by the Giants. The Twins, however, likely have a different perspective on Correa's health, as he played 136 games for them just last year. 

As a result of his exceptional play and the leadership he showed to their team, the Twins pursued him for the last several months and seemed to be one of the finalists for his services. But they lost him - and then lost him again. We'll see if the third time is the charm. 

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[RJA]

I can't see Cohen allowing Correa to get away regardless of the medical issue.  They will strike a bargain of some kind to get him to NY.  Cohen wants to win, period.  It must be that he aggravated the fibula repair in some way this year.  But, he certainly didn't close the year looking like he was bothered by it as he closed strong.

[raindog]

Bring him home Twins. 

[wsnydes]

I've seen this episode before...

[FlyingFinn]

2 teams potentially backing out of deals with Correa. I would not be putting $285 million down on him at this point. How about $75 million over 2 years, with an opt out after the first..................

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, RJA said:

I can't see Cohen allowing Correa to get away regardless of the medical issue.  They will strike a bargain of some kind to get him to NY.  Cohen wants to win, period.  It must be that he aggravated the fibula repair in some way this year.  But, he certainly didn't close the year looking like he was bothered by it as he closed strong.

 

They didn't sign Rocker. They let DeGromm go. He's a free spender, but do we know he ignores medical advice? I have no idea at this point. I'm guessing a three year deal for 105....

[Squirrel]

This is also being discussed in this thread here: https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/60114-rumor-mets-have-concerns-with-correa-physical/?_rid=7

[RJA]

22 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

 

They didn't sign Rocker. They let DeGromm go. He's a free spender, but do we know he ignores medical advice? I have no idea at this point. I'm guessing a three year deal for 105....

I agree the contract will have to be adjusted, but I just can't see him letting him go given his behavior in the past 12 months.  He replaced deGrom with someone arguably better, or at least as good, and I think he is all in on this year.  Plus, they are playing Correa at third and I suspect they think that might protect him a bit from reinjury.  Boy, this off season has been interesting and we are only at Christmas.

[Whitey333]

I hope the Mets keep him.  I don't want the Twins to resign him or have anything to do with him.  I'm absolutely sick and tired of all this Correa garbage.  Let him go.  It's over.  Who cares anymore?

[nicksaviking]

***Disclaimer- nutty conspiracy theory post alert****

Is it possible, the other big market clubs with entrenched owners reached out to Cohen and said he had to knock this crap off? That they all had a good thing going and his actions may end up provoking unwanted changes? Like greater broadcast revenue sharing?

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, nicksaviking said:

***Disclaimer- nutty conspiracy theory post alert****

Is it possible, the other big market clubs with entrenched owners reached out to Cohen and said he had to knock this crap off? That they all had a good thing going and his actions may end up provoking unwanted changes? Like greater broadcast revenue sharing?

100%

[IndianaTwin]

Said it last time — offer $70.2M for two years, with an opt-out after one!

Seriously, at some point, Boras may have to go all Andre Dawson in reverse on people. Might as well be the Twins, right?

[mikelink45]

If the Twins sign him for their original offer they are being stupid.  Two teams that can afford him have medical issues.  The Twins have had the worst medical history of any team.  To ignore this is ridiculous.  Five years max, but I like the two year options of other posters.  

[PseudoSABR]

11 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

 The Twins have had the worst medical history of any team.  

What does this even mean?

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, PseudoSABR said:

What does this even mean?

Nothing. 

[jmlease1]

I don't know that I would rule out going for Correa. But I'd be awfully skeptical if Boras refused to let the Twins investigate the issue while demanding they raise their offer to Mets levels. "No, no...trust me!" That doesn't work when you're talking this kind of money. 

It is a little wild that it's playing out like this. Correa was taking a significant haircut to bail on the Giants (or did the Giants bail on him?) to go to the Mets. If the Mets are now grouching about his medicals...what does that really mean?

[DocBauer]

Guess it's time to post in this OP as well as the other, LOL.

Let's say the Mets just go for it, even with an adjusted offer. No problem. Probably what ends up happening. But let's say they cut the years and the $ amount, or even want to include some sort of team option.

Circle back to the Twins in this scenario. The Twins would have every right to A) want a physical and all pertinent information, and B) considering amending their original offer. Now, amending said offer only goes so far as I doubt the Mets would just low ball Correa. 

But let's say the Mets drop to around 10 and $290. And even if the Twins have some concerns, they still have an opportunity to add someone special...playing the odds...that's going to probably be pretty good for at least the first half of the deal. They MIGHT still go 10yrs, but front load a bit more, and maybe drop their offer $10-20M, theoretically, and still offer an opt out after 4yrs. 

The $ are still very close. Correa still has the ability to bet on himself in 4yrs at only age 31. Further, instead of moving to 3B, he still plays SS. Don't think I've heard anyone bring up the difference, for Correa, of still playing SS vs moving to 3B. 

There's way too many moving parts here. And I can easily see him sticking with an adjusted offer from the Mets. But if the Twins are willing to take a bit of a risk...that might never cause an issue...they might "steal" a top ML SS for the next 4-6-7yrs for their original offer, or a slightly amended version. And Correa, and his family, might just prefer Minnesota vs NY and allow him to continue at SS for very close $, but with the option to still bet on himself in 4yrs.

[ashbury]

Coming next Friday, a RandBall's Stu article headline: "Pirates withdraw 1-year league-minimum make-good contract offer to Correa, citing concern about medicals."

[Brandon]

I think the other owners chimed in and said something to him along the lines of we will make sure no one goes above a certain spending amount in the next CBA if your going to spend like this.  Also the Mets are probably thinking about 12 years down the road or even 8 or 9 and wondering how Correa will hold up.  I think Correa can play another 10 years but I bet the last 3 won’t be all star caliber play.  

[Kal Lis]

"concerns it will reduce his lateral mobility as he ages. "

Baseball Reference has Correa listed at 6'4, 220; he will likely lose lateral mobility even if he had not had the injury in 2014. Further, he likely will be moving to third in 5 years not matter what. There are not a ton of 33 year old major league shortstops. Also, I can't remember who reported it, but  a few scouts believe he has a couple of 40 home run seasons in him. If that's the case, first base isn't a bad option. Finally, he played well in the games after the slide that shook him up a bit. 

It seems as if the original offer is still  a risk worth taking.

[se7799]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

100%

110%

[strumdatjag]

If he falls to the Twins on a 1 year (then opt out) deal again, that would be great.  He fits in well with this team in the short term. 

[rv78]

Without an Ace, an improved bullpen, a healthy outfield filled with at least 2 guys that can hit, a Correa won't make a difference. Been there, done that.

[CRF]

At this point...I really don't care where he signs, or the amount of money he gets. Time to move on from this mess.

[Nashvilletwin]

3 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

***Disclaimer- nutty conspiracy theory post alert****

Is it possible, the other big market clubs with entrenched owners reached out to Cohen and said he had to knock this crap off? That they all had a good thing going and his actions may end up provoking unwanted changes? Like greater broadcast revenue sharing?

I don’t think this totally crazy. Lots of rumours that the other owners are mad because he’s making such a joke of the luxury tax.  Plenty of talk among fans and owners that the Correa signing was bad for the league. 

[LewFordLives]

3 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

***Disclaimer- nutty conspiracy theory post alert****

Is it possible, the other big market clubs with entrenched owners reached out to Cohen and said he had to knock this crap off? That they all had a good thing going and his actions may end up provoking unwanted changes? Like greater broadcast revenue sharing?

Maybe, although if Cohen is not dissuaded by a 90 percent luxery tax I doubt he gives a damn what the Steinbrenner's think. Rich people are weird.

[h2oface]

Looks like Thrift Store shopping now. Dior this!

[Vanimal46]

He may just end up in a Twins uniform again… And all of their leverage is gone if New York also bows out. Correa at a discount and reduced years is an ideal situation for the Twins. 

[nicksaviking]

9 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

He may just end up in a Twins uniform again… And all of their leverage is gone if New York also bows out. Correa at a discount and reduced years is an ideal situation for the Twins. 

If they do it at a discount, they’d have to fire their team doctors right? They’d basically be saying that last year the Twins doctors were incapable of detecting what the Giants and Mets doctors did.

 

[Vanimal46]

28 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

If they do it at a discount, they’d have to fire their team doctors right? They’d basically be saying that last year the Twins doctors were incapable of detecting what the Giants and Mets doctors did.

 

Not necessarily. From what I’m gathering, both teams are concerned about his ability to stay healthy and effective long term into his late 30s. The risk is not as significant on a shorter term deal.