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The Carlos Correa free agency saga continues to be one of the strangest in recent Major League Baseball history.
The 28-year-old is a two-time MLB All-Star who is entering free agency for the second straight year after opting out of the three-year deal he signed with the Minnesota Twins just last spring.
Correa appeared to agree to a 13-year, $350 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, who were big game hunting after missing out on Aaron Judge. But that deal fell apart.
The Giants backed out of the deal over concerns following Correa’s physical examination.
That’s when the New York Mets swooped in. Or so we thought.
New York appeared to have tied down Correa to a 12-year, $315 million deal. But they too had concerns over Correa’s physical and now have backed away from signing the star shortstop, at least to those terms. There was optimism in New York that Correa could agree to an amended deal, but now that appears unlikely.
New York Post Report Suggests Carlos Correa Won’t Renegotiate With Mets
Despite the early optimism, it now seems that Correa has reached an “all or nothing” stage with the Mets according to New York Post reporter Mike Puma.
But the belief is Correa — whose strong preference is to play for the Mets — isn’t open to restructuring the length or financial terms of the contract. At least three teams have been in contact with Correa’s camp in recent days, but Correa remains committed for now to trying to finalize his deal with the Mets. – via The New York Post
Puma also suggested that if the two sides can’t come to terms, the Mets may turn their attention to another superstar.
If Correa isn’t signed, the Mets could still try to trade with the Red Sox for Rafael Devers, but that is hardly the preferred course for an organization looking to retain prospects and build a formidable farm system.
In either situation, it appears that New York owner Steve Cohen isn’t done ruffling feathers.