The Twins made a shocking Saturday morning move, bringing star shortstop Carlos Correa to Minnesota in a blockbuster deal.
A source confirmed that the top free agent has a three-year, $105.3 million waiver contract after 2022 and 2023 to become a free agent again. His average annual salary of $36 million would make him the highest paid MLB infielder and fourth highest overall.
This offseason, the Shortstop has been a clear must for the Twins, their biggest priority along with the pitch. Correa became a two-time All-Star with the Houston Astros. The 27-year-old won the controversial 2017 World Series championship with the team and received honors such as Rookie of the Year in 2015 and Golden Glove in 2021.
The Puerto Rican native had a .981 fielding percentage and a .279 batting percentage last season.
Correa’s arrival means the Twins will get both first picks in the 2012 draft; Correa was selected first overall by the Astros, one pick ahead of Byron Buxton. Both now have nine-figure contracts with the Gemini.
Correa is a .277 hitter and .850 on miss percentage. Last season, he batted .279 with 26 home runs and 92 RBIs. His best season was 2017, when he made his first All-Star team, hitting .315 with 24 homers, 84 RBIs and a .941 OPS.
The addition of Correa means newly acquired infielder Gio Urshela is likely to be an Opening Day starter at third base, his best position.
The Twins have been linked with shortstop Trevor Story in recent weeks with no sign that Correa was on their radar. There were indications that the Astros were trying to keep him, but around 1 a.m. Saturday, word got out that Correa was heading to Minnesota instead.