The much-anticipated consummation of the blockbuster Carlos Correa/Mets deal has been put on hold for the Christmas holiday Sunday. But there still seems to be reason for a healthy dose of hope.
The Mets and Correa camp are said to have been trying to work things out since the team mentioned an issue with Correa’s physical exam, which was conducted in New York on Thursday and Friday. The raid, which broke on Saturday, is believed to involve an ankle surgery performed in 2014 and a subsequent MRI.
Before the leave briefly intervened, teams debated the value of a dodgy MRI versus the joint’s “functionality” and Correa’s history of reliability — he’s only missed an average of 14 games over the past three seasons, and according to agent Scott Boras, he has never received any relevant treatment since this surgery done in 2014.
The sides seemed excited and motivated to finalize this deal when it was agreed, and with the Mets and Correa camp set to “work on things” on Saturday, there seems to be some optimism that things could be worked out. The Mets understood the Giants’ doctor found this problem when, in the middle of the night, the Mets and Correa camp approved the 12-year, $315 million deal that rocked New York.
Word is that some other teams checked in after the Mets’ results. But unlike the Giants’ case, where they just briefed Correa’s camp that they needed more time, according to Bora’s New York writers Thursday, there appears to be more substantive talks between the Mets and Correa’s reps following this latest medical.
The Mets remain optimistic about the Carlos Correa deal. Getty Images
Carlos Correa’s MRI has raised concerns. MLB photos via Getty Images
There was a lot of excitement about this deal following the settlement between Mets owner Steve Cohen and Boras Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in Hawaii (2:30 a.m. New York time), where Cohen was vacationing. (Boras was on the phone from San Francisco, where Correa’s press conference had been canceled just hours earlier.)
“We needed one more thing, and that’s it,” Cohen told the Post shortly after the deal was struck. “That was important. … That puts us at the top.”
Correa is said to be similarly excited to join this star-studded Mets team, which now has a record $380 million+ and a good chance of being the World Series favorite (if that deal goes through). Correa has been said to be fine giving up the shortstop position, although he is considered one of the two or three best defensive shortstops in the game, if not the best, for moving to third base and accommodating friend Francisco Lindor.
Scott Boras speaks at Carlos Rodon’s introductory Yankees press conference. AP
Much of the conversation following the Mets’ medical exam appears to center on the value of relying on an MRI versus actual reliability and performance on the field. But ultimately, the sides may have to agree on some language to at least protect the Mets. It’s unknown if Correa is motivated enough to agree to a terms revision, or if the Mets will propose anything along those lines at all.
Boras has in the past sometimes resolved medical issues with revised contract language, as he did in the case of JD Martinez, whose previous foot problems were found in a Red Sox investigation after settlement on his $110 million five-year contract with Boston.
“There are no current health issues with Carlos,” Boras told New York writers Thursday while in town for Carlos Rodon’s Yankees press conference. However, the Mets appear concerned about his future.