Will Carlos Correa be the Minnesota Twins Greatest Shortstop in Franchise History?

[Nate Palmer]

Carlos Correa, one of the top free agents of the offseason, is back with the Minnesota Twins. How long and what does he need to accomplish to be considered the greatest to ever play shortstop for the Twins? 

Image courtesy of © Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

If you haven’t heard, the Minnesota Twins pulled off the improbable and signed Carlos Correa to a long-term deal. With Correa in the fold as the Twins shortstop for the next six seasons and potentially ten and carrying the richest contract in franchise history, it feels safe to ask one question. How long until Correa can be considered the best shortstop in Twins history?

To open the answer to that question, we can state the obvious: it won’t take much. In case you missed it, the shortstop position has been a bit of a revolving door over the years. While that is true, it has also been filled by some Twins favorites like Christian Guzman . While we have loved many of those players over the years, the position has lacked some much needed star talent until the arrival of Correa and the numbers show that. 

In Correa’s one season in Minnesota, he put up a 5.4 bWAR. In what felt like a pretty mediocre season by Correa standards after a slow start to 2022. Still, that WAR number landed third on the Twins all-time single-season list (when sorted for players playing at least 50% of their time at shortstop). Correa finds himself behind only the incredible 1965 MVP season produces by Zoilo Versalles that tops the list at 7.2 bWAR. Roy Smalley is between Versalles and Correa with his 5.9 bWAR in 1978. 

Correa has already put himself firmly in a place where his name will have to be mentioned amongst some of the best to play shortstop for the Twins. Correa should only continue to put up similar, if not better, numbers as he returns to Minnesota. Correa has twice in his career put up WAR numbers above 7, with his 2021 season matching Versalles’ 7.2. While that is impressive, the greatest of all time assumes some longevity. So who tops that list for the Twins, and what will it take Correa to get there?

Before we talk about the top of the list, there are some fun names on this all-time list to highlight. Two shortstops put in one season with the Twins and rank 14th and 15th according to WAR. Number 14 is Andrelton Simmons (1.5 WAR) and at 15 J.J. Hardy (1.4 WAR). Even Pedro Florimon makes the list at 12 with his 2.0 WAR from 2012 to 2014. Not exactly the start of a storied history. The focus of the present already finds himself 10th on this all time ranking. 

At the top is the guy with the longest tenure, Smalley. Over his career with the Twins and multiple positions, he accrued 20.9 WAR. Greg Gagne comes in second with 17.9 WAR over his career. Gagne's claim, over everyone else on this list, is that he was the shortstop for both World Series titles. Coming in tied for third, but with plenty of WAR accrued at another position, is Jorge Polanco with 15.3 WAR. Almost half of those numbers have come after his switch to second base. The aforementioned Versalles is tied with Polanco, with almost half of his total coming from his one MVP season. 

If we make WAR the benchmark for Correa, three more identical seasons to 2022 puts him 0.1 WAR shy of Smalley’s mark with the Twins. Outside of the shortened 2020 season, Correa’s lowest total for a single season was 3.1 WAR in 2018. If Correa even performed at that level over the next six seasons he would become the Twins all-time WAR leader at shortstop at 23.8 WAR. 

Numbers are part of the story but may not mean everything when discussing the best shortstop of all time for the Twins. There is a lot of love for the players who have brought the two rings to Minnesota. Because of that, it would help Correa’s case to bring the Twins back to that level of play finally. He may not even need to win a championship, but serious contention for one will be needed in order to hurdle Gagne and Smalley when considering more than purely numbers.

The best WAR total is very much within reach for Correa. The question will be how those other achievements fit into the equation and what team achievements he will lead everyone in accomplishing. Correa is already a well-rounded baseball player hitting for average, for power, providing good defense, and great leadership. It would be hard to see Correa not fill out those superlatives one would look for when crowning the greatest player at the franchise’s shortstop position.

Whether it is only six years or the length of the full reported contract, Carlos Correa could very easily be considered the best shortstop in Twins history by the contract’s end. 

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[theBOMisthebomb]

The first shortstop that came to mind as competition was Gagne. He was solid, steady, and dependable for 10 seasons, 8 as the starter. The top of the list isn't actually too bad and better than expected - Smalley, Polanco, and Gagne are all fine players. Correa had better surpass all three for $200 million. My hopes are two World Series titles with Correa at shortstop and Carlos inducted into the Hall of Fame with a Twins cap. 

 

 

 

 

[jmlease1]

SS has not been a position of real strength for this franchise. After Versalles, Gagne, and Smalley it falls off pretty quickly. We've churned a lot of players through looking for a long-term solution, and made some bad choices over the years (i.e., dumping JJ Hardy after one season).

Correa's performance last season was already one of the better single season efforts and if he lives up to his contract (mostly) over the next 6 seasons, he'll be the best SS in franchise history. Smalley is a bit underrated still as a player; during his first stint as a Twin he provided quality defense with better hitting than was really appreciated at the time from the position. But at the end of the day he only spent 6 years with the Twins as a SS, with 2 all-star quality seasons. Correa already has 1. Gagne had 8 seasons at SS for the Twins, 5 of them were quality, but never had the peaks because of his inability to take walks and get on base. A fine defender, but not a good hitter.

The odds are good that Correa will go down as the best SS in Twins history if he's able to stick at the position for at least 4 more seasons.

[mikelink45]

If he doesn't we will all be disappointed. Now let's hope that old injury doesn't flare up. 

[TruthInDuluth]

Just hope he is not another John Castino

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Correa is already the best SS ever to play for the Twins in my book.  Whether he will be the biggest SS contributor to the Twins, will depend on the length of time he plays and his future performance. 

[Doctor Gast]

He'll be our greatest SS. He has a lot to prove to the rest of MLB. We can surprise MLB by making the post season. From there we can let the "magic" happen, maybe win another WS? If we are willing to make the necessary sacrifices. 

[Whitey333]

We better all hope that Correa becomes the best Twins as ever.  Otherwise it will prove only that the Twins are an ordinary team with a superstar shortstop.  But there is no way he is the Twins best shortstop ever after only one season.  I hope he becomes it though.  If Buxton ever gets in gear and plays a near full season, the Twins could have quite a lineup.  

[Trov]

He better put up the highest career WAR as a SS for Twins, or we made a bad signing. 

[Reptevia]

Is there a no trade clause in this new contract?

[Fatbat]

Considering that he is embarking on season #2 with the twins and we will have him for at least 8 total. No way he won’t vest his first option year (or two) He has HOF talent and a great pipeline of young talent around him. The twins finally figured out a path of drafting the best athletes instead of just position players. If they continue to stack their draft with middle field athletes and pitchers, the pipeline will continue to improve! Im super excited to see who they target next week in international signings as they have nearly $6.4M to use. Back to correa, there is absolutely no reason he can’t become our best SS of all time but he has to win a WS or there will always be an asterisk and arguments both ways. I have always thought of Gagne over Smalley for that very reason even tho Smalley was my childhood idol. 

[Mark G]

I am old enough to still pine for another Zoilo, but if anyone can capture the audience like he did, I believe it will be Carlos.  He is the complete player.  

[old nurse]

Well, the Twins began as the Washington Senators and back in the day they had this fella named Joe Cronin. So for franchise history the bar got set a little higher. 

[Blyleven2011]

If Correa could win a MVP it wouldn't hurt and be worth the contract ...

If he is a true leader and helps the other players get better as mentor  that is worth the contract too ...

[Craig Arko]

Let’s worry about 2023 before crowning anybody king.

[Aerodeliria]

WAR HOO, What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. 

Well maybe not but winning in playoff games supercedes wins against replacement IMHO.

Gagne was a very slick fielder and very durable. He has a ring for the Twins. You gotta get a ring here to be the best.

[Fatbat]

43 minutes ago, Reptevia said:

Is there a no trade clause in this new contract?

Yes, full no trade clause. He will retire here.

[dex8425]

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Correa is already the best SS ever to play for the Twins in my book.  Whether he will be the biggest SS contributor to the Twins, will depend on the length of time he plays and his future performance. 

Right. He's the only shortstop to play for the Twins who has ever had a shot at the HOF. He will likely be a first ballot HOF'er if he has six more productive seasons. I'd like to see him get MVP votes in a couple seasons to improve his resume though. 

[dex8425]

1 hour ago, Reptevia said:

Is there a no trade clause in this new contract?

Yes. Full no trade clause.

[Beast]

In terms of raw talent, he already is and it’s not even really close (unless I’m forgetting someone).

Whether he can remain healthy enough, long enough, is the question.  But, with one 5.5 WAR season with a .834 OPS, 140 OPS+, with a 1.1 dWAR, he’s already well on his way.  Smalley had one season better than that with the Twins.  Gagne, maybe one season better with the Twins.  Guzman had one season on par with that in terms of WAR, but largely stunk in terms of WAA (career -6.4).  He doesn’t have to do much other than show up and stand at shortstop the next few years.

[theBOMisthebomb]

1 hour ago, Aerodeliria said:

WAR HOO, What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. 

Well maybe not but winning in playoff games supercedes wins against replacement IMHO.

Gagne was a very slick fielder and very durable. He has a ring for the Twins. You gotta get a ring here to be the best.

"You gotta get a ring here to be the best."

Maybe so for an NBA player or an NFL quarterback. Not for a baseball player, though. 

[Dave The Dastardly]

Versalles and Gagne are numbers one and two in my book. Saw both of them play shortstop and they were cat-like vacuum cleaners. Made difficult plays look easy, bringing fans to their feet and smiles to the faces of Twins pitchers. Correa will have a tough time changing my mind but more power to him if he can.

 

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

2 hours ago, Mark G said:

I am old enough to still pine for another Zoilo, but if anyone can capture the audience like he did, I believe it will be Carlos.  He is the complete player.  

I still have the Christmas card which Zoilo sent me when I was a boy. I had written him during the baseball season and asked for an autographed picture, which he had sent. I was thrilled several months later to receive this Christmas card. from him. That was a nice thing for him to do.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

6 minutes ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

Versalles and Gagne are numbers one and two in my book. Saw both of them play shortstop and they were cat-like vacuum cleaners. Made difficult plays look easy, bringing fans to their feet and smiles to the faces of Twins pitchers. Correa will have a tough time changing my mind but more power to him if he can.

 

 

Zoilo and Greg were really good fielders, and I am so glad they played for the Twins, but neither had an arm like Carlos, nor did either have Carlos' power hitting.   

[PseudoSABR]

No mention of Juan Castro?  Jeeze.

[joefish]

Evaluating players by numbers alone is like reading the index of a Playboy magazine but not looking at the pictures. 

[MarcF]

Best shortstop ever? Who cares? How about a winning team being the priority? Let's not forget that the Twins were six games under .500 last season, and Correa was there for almost every game. One great player doesn't make for a great lineup. Mauer (who really wasn't a game-changer) is proof of that. Thank goodness the Twins are in the AL Central. In the east or west, they still wouldn't come close to contending. For what it's worth, Cleveland is a lot better than they are being given credit for, and the White Sox have improved themselves this off-season, too. First, playing .500 ball is a necessity. Correa isn't a Judge, Trout, or Vlad Guerrero.

[sweetmusicviola16]

Gagne, since the question is Greatest Shortstop. Correa will not play SS like Gagne. No Gagne was never the hitter that Correa is. But Gagne could hit. He hardly ever drew a walk but he could hit.

I am glad the Twins signed Correa. But honestly I don't see myself ever liking the guy. He is a cheater.

[whitsbrain]

And really, who can forget Alexi Casilla?  When I think back to the legendary pairing with Tsuyoshi Nishioka in 2011...it's going to be tough to top that.

[sweetmusicviola16]

It was always interesting that Gagne and Smalley were swapped for each other. Along with Ron Davis.....Twins and NYY