STUNNER: Carlos Correa Agrees to Terms with Minnesota Twins

[garn from vancouver]

1. what he can bring to the field is a good thing

2. why would you want a player that doesn't want to be here?

3. this will end badly in about three years when he wants to re-negotiate.

4. isn't this like your girlfriend dumping you, going out and trying her time with two other guys and then coming back to you?

5. is anyone else highly suspect of this whole thing?

[wabene]

It appears the Twins are now playing at our even above their market now. I'll bet Joe had a little talk with DSP about his comments early in the off-season. Is this the dawning off a new, above average age, lol?

[KnoblauchWasFramed]

I'm always confused on why everyone in here is calling for trading half the team for a SP?  First, he don't have the prospect capitol to take in a true #1 SP which will also come with a high salary.  Second, the last 3 years the Twins have have no less than a dozen opportunities to bring in 3-4 #1 SPs but refused to pay the price from even one.  Third, trading Polanco, Kepler, and/or Arreaz will never bring back a #1 SP.  At best they could bring back some RP options to fill out the bullpen.  And fourth, the Twins currently have a SP rotation next season that will rival, if not pass, the 1991 rotation.

1.) Sonny Gray  2.) Tyler Mahle  3.) Joe Ryan  4.) Kenta Maeda 5.) Chris Paddock (eventually) and he have still have Jax, Winder, Varland, and etc that call fill out the 5-6 spots. 

The bullpen is now the biggest blackhole on this team.  That's the trade market the Twins need to be swimming in right now.  A stronger bullpen could easily be the difference between a 74 win season and a 90 win season.   

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour 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.)

Oh please... don't even go there. Do not even think in these terms. Not now. Not today. Let's just bask in the limelight of this magnificent Twins achievement for today. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, Whitey333 said:

First who cares?  Secondly what makes the Twins doctors better than those of the Mets and giants?  Pending physical just like the other two signings.  What's to get excited about?  Why should we assume a deal will go through here when he couldn't get signed in San Francisco or New York?  Why wouldn't the Giants or Mets able to sign him at a reduced rate of 6 at 200 million?  Plus this team needs a lot more than Correa to be a legit contender.  Unless this a new commitment from ownership and they also invest in other players, I think they will rue the day they agreed to this.  Pending physical.

Just say the following: "I think I can, I think I can."

[KirbyDome89]

27 minutes ago, Danchat said:

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.

The Twins might've been serious about signing him for $285M, but before he failed 2 physicals we all knew that number wasn't going to get it done. Unless we want to believe this team can tell the future, I don't think that offer was seriously entertained at any point. I'm glad Correa is back. I think the FO stumbled into this opportunity, but they took advantage, so credit where it's due. 

[Craig Arko]

58 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Major respect to you for owning up to past comments! You can’t go wrong with Cajun or blackened crow. 

General Tso’s crow.

[Steve Lein]

29 minutes ago, KnoblauchWasFramed said:

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.  

At a minimum, I think you're devaluing Luis Arraez here. I don't think BTV is gospel, but Arraez is the best player on their site in any trade involving Marlins pitchers Pablo Lopez, Jesus Luzardo, Edward Cabrera, or Max Meyer. Kepler/etc... is the tax.

Edit: Actually Lopez is, I  remember being confused by their valuation of him in comparison to all the others. Because Lopez is the one I'd want the least, and he has by far the least team control left.

 

Edited January 10, 2023 by Steve Lein

[Loosey]

If they stay healthy the Twins will have 2 superstar players in their prime for a fraction of what many expected them to be paid.  Buxton on the open market (if healthy) could demand $250M+ and obviously we know someone is willing to pay Correa $350M if it weren't for his physical. 

Good on them,

 

[Whitey333]

I am hoping that if he passes his physical, which I think he will, then I'm hoping other moves are coming before the season starts.  If the Correa signing is the only move made I'm afraid we will just be another mediocre team with a highly paid superstar.  I sincerely hope there is more coming.

[clone52]

1 hour 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.

It does give them a ton of options now to bolster the roster, either during the offseason or before the trade deadline.  All of the OFs could be available for the right deal (Kepler, Larnach, Kiriloff, Wallner, even Gallo).  Polanco, Arraez or Miranda could go and they wouldn't have a huge hole.  Even prospects like Lewis, Lee, Martin or Julian become more available theoretically.

I think they could put together a deal for about any SP that became available if they thought it moved the needle.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Perfection.

 

 

[Loosey]

10 minutes ago, KnoblauchWasFramed said:

I'm always confused on why everyone in here is calling for trading half the team for a SP?  First, he don't have the prospect capitol to take in a true #1 SP which will also come with a high salary.  Second, the last 3 years the Twins have have no less than a dozen opportunities to bring in 3-4 #1 SPs but refused to pay the price from even one.  Third, trading Polanco, Kepler, and/or Arreaz will never bring back a #1 SP.  At best they could bring back some RP options to fill out the bullpen.  And fourth, the Twins currently have a SP rotation next season that will rival, if not pass, the 1991 rotation.

1.) Sonny Gray  2.) Tyler Mahle  3.) Joe Ryan  4.) Kenta Maeda 5.) Chris Paddock (eventually) and he have still have Jax, Winder, Varland, and etc that call fill out the 5-6 spots. 

The bullpen is now the biggest blackhole on this team.  That's the trade market the Twins need to be swimming in right now.  A stronger bullpen could easily be the difference between a 74 win season and a 90 win season.   

I agree with you partially.  I think the Twins have players to trade for front of rotation starters.  However, the players to backfill them are question marks for the time being.  Arraez, Polanco and Kepler specifically.  For them to be moved for a starter someone needs to take their place.  Lewis, Lee, Martin, Kiriloff are unknowns today.  Maybe in July we will see Brooks Lee looking like a future all-star and have the freedom to trade Polanco for a starter, or maybe Lewis comes back and can be a 3rd baseman/LF and move Miranda to 1st which frees up Arraez.  Lots of moving parts that are too unknown for a team that looks like they are going all in to trade away known commodities as of now.

 

 

[KirbyDome89]

I really want to know what went down with the Mets where they weren't willing to beat this offer from MN. Medical concern? Pride? Spite?

[terrydactyls]

13 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Oh please... don't even go there. Do not even think in these terms. Not now. Not today. Let's just bask in the limelight of this magnificent Twins achievement for today. 

I wasn't going anywhere.  I was just curious how actual payroll is calculated.

[nicksaviking]

5 minutes ago, KirbyDome89 said:

I really want to know what went down with the Mets where they weren't willing to beat this offer from MN. Medical concern? Pride? Spite?

AAV. Their highest yearly offer was only 26.25M. Even the offer the Twins made, which we all knew was subpar overall, was 28M.

Once they had injury concerns, naturally it was the length of the deal that the Mets wanted to cut down, the initial salary they were offering probably wasn't the issue to them.

[Original_JB]

37 minutes ago, PseudoSABR said:

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, Original_JB said:

I guess it makes the team better overall, so in that I'm glad. 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 like living in my little town in North Carolina. I was raised here. My friends are here. My siblings and children and grandchildren are all in North Carolina or on the east coast. I enjoy visiting Chapel Hill and Oak Island several times every year. I enjoy North Carolina BBQ. I like the slow pace of a small southern town. It is my "First Choice " of where to live. But I'd move in a New York minute, and live anywhere in the US (even San Franscisco or New York City) for 13 spring, summer and fall months, when half of the time I would be traveling away from home anyway... for 350 million dollars. I'd spend a lot of that 350 million dollars on plane tickets, large comfortable vehicles and a chauffeur, and a large winter home at some Florida beach location, plus a huge farm in my North Carolina home county, where all my grandchildren and children and in-laws could gather frequently. Taking 350 million dollars does not change the fact that I still love living here in North Carolina.  I don't doubt that Correa actually did enjoy living in Minnesota. And now Correa and his family can enjoy Minnesota during the warm seasons and the winter if they wish, and enjoy all Minnesota has to offer, plus $200,000,000. This is truly "Minnesota nice". 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

7 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

I wasn't going anywhere.  I was just curious how actual payroll is calculated.

Hey, I was just joking. :) I am so happy to be a Twins fan today. 

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

1 hour 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

54 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

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.

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

I think Miami would prefer younger players. Maybe ONE of those three vets along with younger players.

59 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.

 

My guess, totally just a guess based on this signing and the status of the younger players: They now are not going to trade anyone very impactful this offseason, but Lewis and Lee will be on the table for trades at midseason or next offseason. 

For now those guys aren't blocked by Correa yet. Lee can play his first full pro season, Lewis can rehab, and the team can see what they're getting from the current roster. If at midseason the hitters are underperforming or (more likely) the starting pitching isn't healthy or deep enough, they're better positioned to use one of the young infielders to make a big move.

 

[nicksaviking]

36M the first three years then 31-30M the years after. The Twins have really structured this contract well. Most teams try to structure them to make the payouts higher at the end (let's earn some interest!!!!!), but clearly the front loaded deal works for the Twins current payroll situation best. That's a great sign that to them, doing this deal right is worth more than doing it economically.

[clone52]

1 hour ago, roger said:

WOW!

I was one of the few who was hopeful Correa didn't return.  My concern is whether or not the Twins will have the dollars to retain/extend Lewis, Lee, Miranda, AK, Larnach and some of the young pitchers.  You see, I believe most of those guys are going to become very good/and/or/great ballplayers.

Assuming this actually gets signed, gonna have to think about how this affects the Twins in both the short and long term.  Money isn't a problem for the next few years.  But where will guys like Lewis, Lee and perhaps a few others (Julien, Martin) play with Carlos at short?  Expect that could become a good problem.  Also expect it increases the liklihood that one of those young studs is traded.  Probably will wait until summer to give someone like Martin a chance to improve his value.  Hopefully, Lee and Lewis ain't going anywhere, hopefully.

I wouldn't worry about signing those young guys.  They are under control for a long time.

Larnach, Kiriloff, Duran, Ryan, Ober won't be free agents until 2028.

Lewis, Miranda, Winder, Sands, Woods-Richardson won't be a free agent until 2029.

Lee, Martin, Julian, Rodriguez, Prielipp won't be a free agents until 2030 or later.

Correa will only be making $30M in 2029 and $25M in 2030 if he's still around.

By 2029, the Twins payroll should increase up to $160M at minimum I would guess.  That still leaves a lot of money for retaining their best young players.  Plus, the probably try to sign some of them up for extensions early, which would mean it wouldn't be like they are signing them all to $30M/year contracts of their own.

 

 

 

[Brandon]

1 hour ago, bighat said:

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

Here is a link to over 900 recipes for eating crow on Pinterest 

https://www.pinterest.com/kerrykuss/eating-crow/ 

[Brandon]

41 minutes ago, KnoblauchWasFramed said:

I'm always confused on why everyone in here is calling for trading half the team for a SP?  First, he don't have the prospect capitol to take in a true #1 SP which will also come with a high salary.  Second, the last 3 years the Twins have have no less than a dozen opportunities to bring in 3-4 #1 SPs but refused to pay the price from even one.  Third, trading Polanco, Kepler, and/or Arreaz will never bring back a #1 SP.  At best they could bring back some RP options to fill out the bullpen.  And fourth, the Twins currently have a SP rotation next season that will rival, if not pass, the 1991 rotation.

1.) Sonny Gray  2.) Tyler Mahle  3.) Joe Ryan  4.) Kenta Maeda 5.) Chris Paddock (eventually) and he have still have Jax, Winder, Varland, and etc that call fill out the 5-6 spots. 

The bullpen is now the biggest blackhole on this team.  That's the trade market the Twins need to be swimming in right now.  A stronger bullpen could easily be the difference between a 74 win season and a 90 win season.   

We want a starter for 2 reasons 1.  To be a top of rotation pitcher who will give us a better chance in the playoffs. 2.  And this is likely the bigger reason.  We have 3 starters headed to free agency after this season and having another controllable good starter helps us compete next season.

[Brandon]

Does this signing mean we don’t get to fire the front office?

[PseudoSABR]

More details

 

[clone52]

44 minutes ago, garn from vancouver said:

1. what he can bring to the field is a good thing

2. why would you want a player that doesn't want to be here?

3. this will end badly in about three years when he wants to re-negotiate.

4. isn't this like your girlfriend dumping you, going out and trying her time with two other guys and then coming back to you?

5. is anyone else highly suspect of this whole thing?

 

1.  Agree, but don't underrate his clubhouse presence.  Sounds like his mentorship really helped Miranda.

2.  He does want to be here.  If the Twins had offered 12/350 like the Giants did, I bet he picks the Twins.  If the Twins had offered 12/315 like the Mets did, I bet he picks the Twins.  The fact that he chose more long term security and money than average money per year doesn't mean he didn't like Minnesota.

3.  BS.  When was the last time a big time contract had someone who wanted to renegotiate in baseball?  Does it ever happen?  Is Mike Trout begging to get a contract like Aaron Judge.

4.  Its more like your hooker dropping you, trying some other guys and then coming back.  There is money involved.  A personal relationship typically doesn't involve money or a contract.  At least for most, maybe your relationships do.

5.  It is really weird.  Definitely a risk, but you gotta take some risks.

[KnoblauchWasFramed]

6 minutes ago, Brandon said:

We want a starter for 2 reasons 1.  To be a top of rotation pitcher who will give us a better chance in the playoffs. 2.  And this is likely the bigger reason.  We have 3 starters headed to free agency after this season and having another controllable good starter helps us compete next season.

Good point.... which is something else that drives me crazy about the Twins.  We literally gave up the entire 2021 draft to get these guys, so why not go another step further and lock down Gray and Mahle for 3-4 years so that's one less issue for the Twins to worry about for half of the time Correa is here.  If they were good enough to give up those prospect for then they should be good enough to lock down too.   

[KirbyDome89]

27 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

AAV. Their highest yearly offer was only 26.25M. Even the offer the Twins made, which we all knew was subpar overall, was 28M.

Once they had injury concerns, naturally it was the length of the deal that the Mets wanted to cut down, the initial salary they were offering probably wasn't the issue to them.

Sure, but it seems Correa was willing to do a shorter term deal, so why not best MN's AAV? That's what I don't get. You've protected yourself from the long term concerns and we know the luxury tax is an afterthought for NY. 

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, roger said:

WOW!

I was one of the few who was hopeful Correa didn't return.  My concern is whether or not the Twins will have the dollars to retain/extend Lewis, Lee, Miranda, AK, Larnach and some of the young pitchers.  You see, I believe most of those guys are going to become very good/and/or/great ballplayers.

Assuming this actually gets signed, gonna have to think about how this affects the Twins in both the short and long term.  Money isn't a problem for the next few years.  But where will guys like Lewis, Lee and perhaps a few others (Julien, Martin) play with Carlos at short?  Expect that could become a good problem.  Also expect it increases the liklihood that one of those young studs is traded.  Probably will wait until summer to give someone like Martin a chance to improve his value.  Hopefully, Lee and Lewis ain't going anywhere, hopefully.

It won't be an impediment to extending other players if their pitching prospects can fill 4 or all 5 spots in the rotation.  The limitation is they can't sign an expensive pitcher and extend other players.   Hard to pass on a deal like this for a player as good as Correa.