Mark Berman: Astros offering Carlos Correa a 5 year/160 million dollar contract

The Astros will be good with or without Correa.

The reality is that the Astros are going to use the money in their budget regardless.

I am personally at peace with whatever happens, because the Astros are a well ran organization with excellent player evaluation and skill development.

If the Astros decide to let Correa walk they will fill holes to compensate for the loss.

 

That would be very interesting, but a crazy contract.

 

Yep, if Houston actually does sign Correa (which I do not expect), the $260M/8yr deal rockbox described is very close to what I expect the deal to look like. Something like $130M/3yrs then Correa chooses between free agency or $130M/5yrs.

 

Detroit seems to be everybody's default right now... for good reason... but they literally aren't in the position to be giving blank check-like contracts such as this.

Now, with what I'm hearing that the Yankees aren't really going to make a push for him, it comes down to who is Detroit actually going to be bidding against to take it to that level?

And while I don't foresee the Astros entertaining any sort of bidding war with anybody, they'll be in a good position to see what are the more realistic offers coming through for Carlos and whether or not they want to get close.

I actually don't see a long list of teams ponying up crazy money... and there simply aren't a long list of teams that can literally afford crazy money at this point.

 

I just don’t see Detroit giving Correa that massive type contract. They’re still sitting on Miguel Cabrera’s disgusting contract and look where that’s got them.

 

We are all just guessing. Who had the Padres dumping 300 million on Machado? He was meeting with the Yankees and Phillies. Then out of nowhere he's a Padre.

Cabrera's contract will be done in 2 years plus a buyout. He's not vesting the options for 2024 and 2025 that require top 10 MVP finishes. That lines up pretty well with when the Tigers should be competing for a playoff spot.

 

I've been saying this for awhile now. When you look at the FA class that's loaded with offensive talent, especially at SS, and logically consider what teams would even consider giving out a $300M deal...there aren't many teams out there. Combine that with teams continuing to become more analytically savvy and the fact this post season once again proves you win from building within (SF, MIL, ATL, and TB all were in the bottom half of teams in payroll total), I just don't see the dollars flying.

The Mets owner going on a stupid spending spree and paying Lindor way too much should not be considered - other teams aren't going to be stupid and bid against themselves for Correa with that many stud SS on the market. Cubs have already said they're out. Mets obviously are out. Dodgers are out. Angels have learned their lesson I'd hope by now and therefore they are likely out. Boston has a stud SS already and Toronto will just resign Semien, if anything, so they're out.

I feel like this Tigers narrative is being pushed by Correa's camp because they need "wildcard teams interested" to push his price tag up...because we sure as hell know the Astros aren't going to do something stupid and outbid themselves.

 

If I recall, him and Harper were the only two prize free agents that winter.

 

I’ve heard that Correa has heavy interest from a team that his wife is not too keen on going to. That sounds like Detroit.

 

"There are rich teams and there are poor teams. Then there's 50 feet of crap... and then there's us.......What we can do is replace him in the aggregate."

 

This offer is pretty insulting to Correa. At least give him 7 years, 8 years 240 million would be better. He's gonna get 10 years from someone at least make the Astros offer competitive and hope that loyalty pushes him over the edge to sign with us.

 

I believe the Astros have made their final offer to Correa. I will be surprised if 6/210 is not the best offer he gets. I also believe the Astros will have moved on ahead of Correa's decision.

 

The Angels need pitching desperately, so if they drop big money on Correa, I’d be shocked. Toronto has Bichette at SS and a very high income tax rate. Boston would have to move Bogaerts to 2B to accommodate Correa. The Giants would have to move a franchise icon from shortstop for Correa or play Carlos at third. The White Sox could move Anderson to 2B, but they don’t really have the room in the budget for him.

Other than the Yankees (have an extremely high payroll and Judge is a free agent next year), the Phillies could be a threat, but the Harper deal has led to no playoff appearances, and they need to build a bullpen, desperately. Besides Detroit, the one team I could see as a wildcard is Seattle because they are ready to ascend and have a lot of payroll flexibility. But, Dipoto also likely remembers how the Robinson Cano deal worked out. I actually think they are a more likely destination for Corey Seager, especially if they keep his brother at 3B.

I can’t see Correa considering teams like Baltimore or the Rangers because they are too far away from being competitive. I don’t see Miami as a threat because the Jeter-run Marlins haven’t shown any indication they are willing to spend a lot of money.

 

I would say no .

what happens if another team signs one of those shortstops ? Then, that means a potential contender for Correa just went out the window .

I’ve seen people in this thread (not you) talk about the years as being far and away more important than AAV . But frankly , if you invest well an extra 5-6 million now could be about the same as 30 7 years from now ..
Especially considering he might have another contract by then too .

 

This is how I felt about Springer - I'm with you here, I still feel that way once again with Correa (and any other future Astro we lose to free agency)

 

In fairness to his wife's viewpoint, Detroit is indeed a horrible place. Super cold, no media/hidden from view, and then life within the city limits itself is akin to a warzone -- completely unsafe.

 

$160 million? How is he supposed to eat on that? He has a kid to feed soon. Why should that child be subjected to eating food cooked by his own parents when a top chef is obviously the only way to go.

It's gonna take at least 7/$220 million to stay off of Welfare.

 

There is also a downside to living in Detroit.

 

I wonder how many people here would take substantially less than market value from their companies because the very wealthy company owner wanted to make more money and lower his own risk? Would you be good with it, as long as the lower salary was enough to feed your family?

 

That's asinine.