STUNNER: Carlos Correa Agrees to Terms with Minnesota Twins

[howeda7]

4 minutes ago, baul0010 said:

It would be interesting to know what could be had with Arreaz and Kepler in a trade.  I think Arraez will still be on the team.  He could be the DH and hope his knees hold up better.

I'm still against trading Arreaz or Polanco at least right now. The offense is still the weak spot of this team and Arreaz and Miranda can split 1B/DH duties. If the Marlins are willing to deal Lopez, I think Kepler and prospects can get it done. Or maybe Kepler/Farmer/prospects.

[BuxtonBonanza]

Truly crazy but it seems like it is a win for both sides. High AAV for a high value player and if everything goes well with the leg, the ability to extend for a reasonable amount of money (especially considering the value of money with inflation in the years to come). Yet another creative deal by this FO after the deal last year as well as Buxton's. You don't necessarily need to throw a ton of money for a ton of years to get it done in today's FA market and they are showing it. Interesting! 

[cmoss84]

?Now go get Bauer! 

But seriously,  would Arraez be enough for Luzardo?

I'd rather keep him and trade Polanco and Kepler for SP...

[South Dakota Tom]

I think any potential Miami trade will come down to the internal assessment of Alex Kiriloff's wrist - if they believe in him, I could see the Arraez/Kepler deal, but would rather have multiple years of Luzardo than 2 of Lopez.

 

[Rosterman]

52 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

I have a question for those of you that know more than I do about the weird-a$$ financial/payroll rules using Correa as an example.  If Correa were to suffer a career-ending injury in year 3 of the contract, the Twins are still liable for the remaining $33M/year until the six years are complete.  This is correct, isn't it?  But does that $33M still count towards the luxury tax even though Correa is no longer in baseball?  (I understand that the Twins will never have to worry about the luxury tax.  This just a question for a curious mind.)

And I'm sure the Twins will be carrying some sort of insurance policy on the contract. Wonder how many millions that will cost?

[JD-TWINS]

Gotta LIGHTEN UP on FO!!! CC signing done.

If they sign a FA reliever we’ve had an outstanding off season……..Gallo is a big swing for a guy that has a shot at having Power Impact………lower risk with the young depth behind him. Vázquez is also a very good signing………I’m sure CC was well aware of these adds.

Trading Kepler along with López/Pagan and a Farm System IF that’s no longer needed for a front line starter……….Grand Slam Off-season!!!!!

Miranda - Correa - Polanco - Araez - Vázquez is one of best Offensive Infields in the game!!

Farmer is high end Utility guy & rounds out IF with Kirilof & Jeffers.

Gordon - Buxton - Gallo………Larnach & Garlick

5-6 RH guys vs. Lefties & 5 LH guys vs. Righties in line-up.

Araez - Buxton - Larnach - Polanco - Correa - Miranda - Gordon - Vázquez - Gallo………healthy Larnach & we’re awfully solid!

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, South Dakota Tom said:

I think any potential Miami trade will come down to the internal assessment of Alex Kiriloff's wrist - if they believe in him, I could see the Arraez/Kepler deal, but would rather have multiple years of Luzardo than 2 of Lopez.

 

I'm not interested in dealing prospects for two years of Lopez..... Agreed. 

[Danchat]

B-B-But they were never serious about signing him, or so it went from so many people. Turns out Kyle Farmer was not plan A for the starting SS job.

6/200 is fine, I highly prefer the shorter term. I give the deal an A+, with the only concern being the injuries. Turns out the Twins we’re willing to spend again this year, just like how they set a new payroll record every past year. Still don’t like the Gallo move, but ‘cheap Pohlads’ whiners be damned.

And can we stop acting like Boras is some sort of genius? He didn’t end up getting Correa that big of a deal and it turned out Carlos was open to playing here long term. We just needed to pony up the most cash, and while it took some MRIs to get there, in the end the Twins are risking it. I will laid them for that over signing mediocre FAs.

[terrydactyls]

37 minutes ago, bighat said:

Anyone know a good recipe for crow? I'll be eating some shortly and I'm looking for some zesty ideas. 

Use either a crockpot or braise the crow.  You always prepare a tough cut of meat slowly.  And it goes well with fava beans and a nice chianti.

 

[nicksaviking]

2 minutes ago, South Dakota Tom said:

I think any potential Miami trade will come down to the internal assessment of Alex Kiriloff's wrist - if they believe in him, I could see the Arraez/Kepler deal, but would rather have multiple years of Luzardo than 2 of Lopez.

 

I don't think Miami would have any interest in Kepler. They have two 100 win teams in their division in addition to the World Series champs. Kepler will be long gone before that team is ready to compete.

[Trov]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

So just how bad was that Mets deal?  200M over 6 years all of his prime years is the best deal I could have imagined.  If he meets the vesting option add another 4 years at 70M Absolutely perfect.  Am I dreaming?  Why would the Mets or Giants not do this deal?  They don't want the high AAV?  This sets the Twins up to give out larger contracts if some of the young players turn into stars or superstars.  Like I said I couldn't imagine a more perfect deal for the Twins.  Correa just needs to stay healthy and bring that 4 WAR a year or so and he will really, really, help this team.

Report I read, Mets offer was to cut their 12 year in half to 6, but the value in half as well, to 157.  Then vesting options for the remaining 6 years and value.  So in the end, assuming we do not balk too, we offered the most money to CC, and less than what our original offer was. 

I am will still believe it when pen is to paper, but rumors are the Twins have already looked at the medicals that have been holding up the other deals.  Also, taking risk on 6 years is much better than 12 or 13 years. 

Now I bet we wee a bunch of other moves, possibly prospects getting moved, because SS or 3B, will be locked for 6 years min.  That means Lewis, Lee, and Martin will have to fill other spots. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Trov said:

Report I read, Mets offer was to cut their 12 year in half to 6, but the value in half as well, to 157.  Then vesting options for the remaining 6 years and value.  So in the end, assuming we do not balk too, we offered the most money to CC, and less than what our original offer was. 

He also had to pass a physical every year..... So not even the short term was guaranteed.

[puckstopper1]

Helps the Twins in the short run but I still struggle to believe they are going to be a playoff threat without more strong arms.  

Also this should keep the Correa family out of the soup line for awhile, which was a concern that CC shared when he opted out of the previous contract with the Twins.

[Beast]

Phenomenal deal.  Holy crap.  I feel 100x better about this off-season now.  Amazing turn of events.  6 years, $200M is a steal.

And, no, a player again falling into their lap that nobody else wanted to sign doesn’t make the FO geniuses.  I’m not ready to concede that.  Still need more successful moves to be convinced they’re a quality FO.  Full credit for making this happen, but they have some work to do to get back in the right side of the ledger.

Committing $200M in this day and age, after getting outbid twice, doesn’t mean the Pohlads aren’t stingy with payroll.  Still well below what it could/should be.  Bump the payroll above last year’s, adjusted for inflation, and I’ll give them all due credit.  Win a competitive negotiation be. A default because every backed out…. I’ll give them all due credit.  Still more work to do to get back on the right side of the ledger.

This is a step in the right direction, for sure.  This is a significant move in that direction.  Criticize all you want, I still need more to say all is right in the world.  We’re about where we left off last year…when we sucked.

I can hold both opinions simultaneously.  I’m now excited as hell about the season.  I have some hope.  I also think they need to do a little more to really solidify this team as a contender.

At the end of the day, whether luck or skill, awesome outcome.

[LA VIkes Fan]

41 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I know most won't agree, but I think this means they aren't dealing Kepler, unless it's part of a deal for an impact starter. They are all in.

Disagree here. I think this makes it more likely they will deal Kepler. Going "all in" for this team means getting 3 things - (1) another #1 or #2 starter, (2) getting one more good to very good bullpen piece (Chafin or Fulmer come to mind), and (3) getting a big bat to hit #4 behind Arraez, Buxton and Correa. Gallo and Polanco are much more suited to hit #5 or #6 ahead or behind Miranda at the other and the LF or C at 7. Kepler fills none of those needs since he doesn't hit much but he can be a trade piece to accomplish need #1, he can be replaced by Gallo in RF, and LF can be filled internally by Larnach, Gordon, Kirilloff or Wallner. 

My wishful thinking scenario is the following:

- Trade Kepler, Enlow and either Larnach or Wallner plus a MiLB prospect to Miami for Lopez, Luzardo, or Rogers.

- Sign Chafin (or Fulmer) for 2 years. Move Maeda to the bullpen and sign him for another 2-3 years to deal with his contract structure that right now pays him a lot more as a starter than as a reliever. 

- Sign Trey Mancini or even our old friend Nelson Cruz to hit in the middle of the order. Wish there was someone better. 

2023 is now looking a lot brighter! 

 

[strumdatjag]

This is a lot to spend but it’s for  a special player in his prime years, at least for the first 2/3rds of the contract.  Keep Arraez and Farmer, but trade one or two of the lefty outfielders, maybe Arraez and more  for young, stud starter  - until then - 
Line-up:   Arraez (DH), Correa (SS), Kirilloff (1B), Buxton (CF), Gallo (RF), Miranda (3B), Polanco (2B), Vazquez (C), Gordon (LF)    
I like that this is not a ridiculously long contract.    

 

[Nine of twelve]

46 minutes ago, Original_JB said:

I'll want to puke every time they play up the "I really like it here and wanted to be here", "this was really my 1st choice", "these are the guys I want to win with"  LIES, LIES, and more LIES. You wanted max dollars, period. Don't even try to lie about it. You literally agreed to deals with two other teams already, so don't go trying to blow smoke up everyone's ass.

I'd say this is essentially true but an overstatement. There have been millions of times in the world where someone has a job that they like but want to see if something else is available. So they shop around a little bit, maybe get an interview or two, maybe get an offer that later falls through. So they go back to the original job, maybe getting a pay raise from that employer who is glad for them to stay. I don't think Correa and Boras are dense enough to think that people don't know the situation here, so I hope and expect them to be straightforward about it. And my guess is that Correa genuinely did and will continue to enjoy playing here. If he didn't want to come here, even if it's not his first choice, he wouldn't have agreed to terms.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, LA VIkes Fan said:

Disagree here. I think this makes it more likely they will deal Kepler. Going "all in" for this team means getting 3 things - (1) another #1 or #2 starter, (2) getting one more good to very good bullpen piece (Chafin or Fulmer come to mind), and (3) getting a big bat to hit #4 behind Arraez, Buxton and Correa. Gallo and Polanco are much more suited to hit #5 or #6 ahead or behind Miranda at the other and the LF or C at 7. Kepler fills none of those needs since he doesn't hit much but he can be a trade piece to accomplish need #1, he can be replaced by Gallo in RF, and LF can be filled internally by Larnach, Gordon, Kirilloff or Wallner. 

My wishful thinking scenario is the following:

- Trade Kepler, Enlow and either Larnach or Wallner plus a MiLB prospect to Miami for Lopez, Luzardo, or Rogers.

- Sign Chafin (or Fulmer) for 2 years. Move Maeda to the bullpen and sign him for another 2-3 years to deal with his contract structure that right now pays him a lot more as a starter than as a reliever. 

- Sign Trey Mancini or even our old friend Nelson Cruz to hit in the middle of the order. Wish there was someone better. 

2023 is now looking a lot brighter! 

 

I don't think Miami wants Kepler, as he doesn't have a ton of control left. But I'm certainly open to the idea I'm wrong here

[HoskenPowell]

72 hours from now a Marlins starting pitcher is on the plane heading here , hopefully with another starter sitting next to him!!!!

[IA Bean Counter]

I have wanted to say this all offseason.  

The Twins decided to shop at Target rather than Dior but it all worked out.   

[Nine of twelve]

52 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Hard to know what Miami is thinking right now as they just signed Cueto

This is not a major deal. Keep in mind they are getting the 2023 Johnny Cueto, not the 2014 Johnny Cueto.

[Doctor Gast]

Always thought we had a chance but I didn't think it quite turn out this way. I didn't think he'd go this low on years. It makes me wonder what the Mets offered him. It must have gotten a little nasty.

It seems a trade w/ MIA is eminent. Hope they make a good trade. 

There for a long time I've watched the video on Lewis getting hurt. I always thought he hurt his knee running into the wall. But as I watched it more closely, it appears to me that after was running full blast he jumped up & when he landed on that leg  before he hit the wall he actually hurt his knee.

I was a big advocate to keep Lewis out of the OF especially CF after his 1st surgery. But now I'm even more venomous because how can you keep a player like Lewis from running full blast & jump for a ball in the OF? You can't, so put him in SS or 3B & give him time at 2B & 1B while he gets his feet under him at AAA. For God sake keep him out of the OF!

[PseudoSABR]

 

[Minderbinder]

17 minutes ago, Trov said:

Now I bet we wee a bunch of other moves, possibly prospects getting moved, because SS or 3B, will be locked for 6 years min.  That means Lewis, Lee, and Martin will have to fill other spots. 

..., unless Correa injures his leg (or something else).

 

I never realized why Correa, who has excellent speed, didn't like to steal bases.  Now I know.

 

Formerly an optimist, I'd written off Correa after Boras targeted SF and the Mets and had mentally accepted Plan B (Farmer) until Lewis or Lee was ready.  This is a nice result at a fair price.  But, the FO needs two kinds of insurance should CC get injured, the kind that covers the Twins financially and the kind the Twins put on the field.  [Now, fast-forward six weeks and see that I'm wrong again.]

[dex8425]

Props to the FO. I'm stoked. 6/200 for Correa is a steal compared to what Seager, Turner, Bogaerts, Lindor, Machado, etc. are earning at their ages. 

[KnoblauchWasFramed]

57 minutes ago, mickster said:

Now we can see a trade coming.   Kepler along with either Polanco or Araez will go to Miami for Lopez.   They just signed Cueto to take the spot in the rotation.   Farmer becomes the utility man

Bro.... in what world would the Marlins EVER make that deal?  When do the Marlins trade young emerging starts for 3rd rate aged players?  Especially a SP?  Max is not good and is not an asset for the Twins that would ever net a SP like Lopez in return.  Best case scenario, he's involved in a partial salary dump of a quality bullpen arm.  

[bowserthedog]

This is really amazing new for the Twins.  We now have the ability to have a window to compete. And that window is currently open. Now lets go out and get Pablo Lopez. 

[dex8425]

5 minutes ago, Minderbinder said:

 

I never realized why Correa, who has excellent speed, didn't like to steal bases.  Now I know.

Actually his speed is below league average. Has been for the last two years.  https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/carlos-correa-621043?stats=statcast-r-running-mlb

[terrydactyls]

Question for John Bonnes 

Is this the exact same article title that you used last year?  Sounds very familiar.

 

 

 

[Nine of twelve]

I think that one of the reasons Correa accepted the Twins' offer is that the players, the front office, and the on-field staff all were consistent in establishing good will with him. Not all teams work that way, for example the Vikings under Zimmer.