Carlos Correa Free Agency: Minnesota Twins Could Sign Star Away From New York Mets

Carlos Correa to the New York Mets is no longer the done deal that it once appeared to be. The two sides have yet to officially agree on a contract, opening the door for another team to sign the free agent.

The Minnesota Twins are still involved in Correa's free agency, according to MLB Network Radio's Jim Bowden. The former Cincinnati Reds general manager said that the Twins are willing to take on more of a risk than the Mets when it comes to questions about Correa's surgically repaired lower leg.

Rumors of Minnesota's interest come on the heels of a report that stated New York is considering walking away from negotiations with Correa. According to SNY's Andy Martino, the Mets are "very frustrated" and unable to agree on a new deal that would protect them from Correa's injury risks.

The Mets and Correa agreed in principle to a 12-year, $315 million contract on Dec. 21. The deal fell apart when New York saw the medical information related to an injury that Correa suffered in 2014. The 13-year, $350 million contract that Correa thought he had with the San Francisco Giants never materialized because the team feared the shortstop's injury might present issues later in his career.

There has been an expectation that the Mets and Correa would eventually reach some sort of an agreement, featuring far less than the $315 million guaranteed he was originally promised, pending a physical. Now that other teams are speaking with Correa, the shortstop might not be as likely to end up in the Big Apple.

Correa left the Houston Astros for Minnesota a year ago during his first foray into free agency. The Twins gave Correa a three-year, $105.3 million deal at $35.1 million per year. The contract included an opt-out after the 2022 MLB season, which Correa exercised.

Correa has been looking to join the shortstops who have recently signed massive contracts that run for at least a decade. Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts signed 11-year contracts worth a combined $580 million this offseason. When Correa first hit the open market a year ago, Corey Seager inked a 10-year, $325 million deal.

Francisco Lindor is signed to a 10-year, $341 million contract with the Mets. New York has been hoping that Correa would move to third base and be part of a star-studded infield in Queens.

Lindor finished ninth in the 2022 NL MVP voting. First baseman Pete Alonso and second baseman Jeff McNeil both represented the Mets in the 2022 All-Star Game.

Correa is a two-time All-Star. He finished fifth in the 2021 AL MVP race.