From the Athletic: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6529725/2025/08/01/minnesota-twins-trade-carlos-correa-astros/ Correa, 30, and Falvey, 42, built a mutual trust when Correa first signed with the Twins as a free agent in March 2022, then opted out less than a year later and re-signed for a deal nearly twice as large. They shared a goal of bringing Minnesota its first World Series title in more than three decades. But as they spoke in that private room — the start of nearly two days of tumult that would unravel years of hard work — it was clear that their vision was coming apart. [...] “The direction we are going,” Correa recalled Falvey telling him the previous day, “is not the one you signed up for.” [...] Once Correa got to Target Field, he sought out Falvey, who confirmed that the Astros had indeed called about a potential trade. The initial discussions, according to a source briefed on the conversations, were not serious. The Astros wanted other major leaguers attached to Correa and for the Twins to pay a sizable amount of his remaining $103 million. Falvey told Correa he would update him if the deal became more feasible from the Twins’ perspective. Correa told Falvey the Astros were the only team for which he would waive his no-trade clause. His family lives in Houston. Both his parents and Daniella’s parents live in Houston. He would be going home. “Carlos was never sitting there saying anything about demanding a trade or wanting to do something else,” Falvey said. “If it was right for the Twins and it was right for him, he was open to the conversation.” [...] “When he told (me) that we were going to go into rebuild mode, I said then I deserve to go somewhere where I have a chance to win and my kids can watch me go out there in the playoffs and perform,” Correa said. “He agreed with me and he said out of respect for me he would get to work.” Falvey got to work, all right. And when deadline day was complete, Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, referenced the nickname of Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh to describe the Twins’ maneuvers to slash payroll. “Apparently the Big Dumper has a Twin.”
I was okay when we let Correa leave. Between trips to the Dior store and batting like .100 after the “it’s MY TIME” home run, there were some things that rubbed me the wrong way. He had an awesome career here though and forever grateful for his time with the Astros. But not gonna lie, I’m unreasonably excited about having him back now. This is ****ing awesome.
I wonder if signing Urias was partly insurance in case the Correa trade didn't go through and also to force the Twins' hand with Dana saying, "Look, we just traded for a third baseman, we'll take his contract if you pay us $30 mil and we'll give you a minor leaguer." Next season, if everyone is healthy, it will be quite a battle for bench spots and playing time. Does Sanchez play some LF & Altuve more 2B? Where do Paredes & Urias fit in if Matthews & Dubon are also at 2B? Let's say Matthews starts at 2B. The bench would consist of 4 from this group: Paredes Sanchez Dubon Urias (Backup Catcher) On the outside looking in: McCormick Melton Leon Dezenzo Whitcomb
The Astros' offense is better than it was two days ago. Correa might not get to where Paredes was - but Sanchez is a big-time addition who punishes RHP and Urias is a better bat than the AAAA guys they've been rolling with the past several weeks. But what has me REALLY excited: when the Astros are fully healthy, this is an *elite* defense. Correa, Pena, Urias/Dubon and Walker might be the best defensive infield in baseball; Smith and Meyers are very good OF gloves, and Yordan has never been a defensive liability. And McCormick is not a bad fourth OFer. Seriously, Framber must be drooling at the thought of pitching in October with this defense.
Dude the watch celebration was absolute electricity. Between that and the helmet jump shot, Carlos is a hof level homer run pimper
For as talented as he is, Correa has been curiously inconsistent as a hitter over his career. This is is 4th season with an OPS+ under 100. It's one of the reasons I'm not too scared about him being "washed" as a hitter. He just has long stretches like this occasionally, plus 30 is a bit on the young side for such a big decline(though not unheard of). He's actually been pretty good for most of the season after a dreadful start. The possibility that this is age related is obviously there, but it would not shock me at all if we get multiple 800+ OPS seasons from him on top of what I expect to be excellent 3rd base defense.
Yep. So far he's had great years with the bat with only one full season, 2020, and this season so far while being a defensive plus. Most of the time he's been a plus bat. As I think the Astros are likely to get worse the few years, I don't mind the risk of Correa. The Astros likely need some luck to fall their way.
Correa failing those two physicals in '23 likely points to something chronic. My guess is that he's probably never 100% healthy and that the up and down is directly tied to how healthy he is. I have a slipped disc in my back - and I have long stretches of good health, where I can do most anything I want. And then one day, I'll reach down to pick something up off the floor and BOOM! I'm limping around for several weeks and downing copious amounts of medications to get through the day.
I am OK with filling our areas of need going forward from our minor league teams. I consider the need to hire impact free agents a failure anyway.
Nice. I saw that he DH'ed in a game so I assumed that they would let him bat before playing the field.
