Mets' Blockbuster Deal With Correa Likely To Be Altered As Leg Injury Concerns Grow

Carlos Correa is due a huge payday, and the New York Mets are ready to give it.

Unfortunately, it has yet to be sealed and the numbers may be altered due to a leg injury that the All-Star shortstop incurred and needed to be surgically repaired in 2014.

According to sources cited by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the supposed 12-year deal which would pay Correa roughly $315 million is now in jeopardy.

The scenario is seen as something similar to what Correa had with the San Francisco Giants that fell apart.

The Giants were all set to sign the World Series champion until concerns about Correa's right lower leg sufficed.

Correa was having a great run in 2013, ranked as a top prospect under the Houston Astros farm system. That included a 10-game hitting streak that was cut short after the Puerto Rican player suffered the injury.

Like most MLB players, Correa has had his share of injuries. However, these did not include issues tied to his surgically repaired leg.

But given that this is a long-term contract with huge money involved, it becomes the first time that Correa would have to deal with such with teams taking the cautious route due to health concerns.

Hence, a potential scenario would see the Mets probably restructuring the deal with Correa.

This could mean fewer years or lesser money according to sources in a report by ESPN.

Another possibility would be not to guarantee a certain sum if the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year misses significant time related to the leg ailment.

As things stand now, the Mets and Correa are at a standstill.

A deal between the two sides remains unofficial until the player passes a physical and signs a contract.

It was also mentioned in the report by Rosenthal that it would be hard to see Correa re-enter the free-agent market and land a comparable contract, especially after two MLB clubs identified the same issue in their physical examinations of him.

Correa hit .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs in 136 games in 2022.

He is a career .279/.357/.479 hitter who has historically played splendid defense at shortstop.

It all adds up to 39.5 WAR through Correa's age-27 season.