MLB rumors: Here’s what it will take for Yankees to sign Astros’ Carlos Correa

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) will be one of the top free agents on the open market this winter.

Carlos Correa is going to get paid. It’s just a matter of how much the two-time All-Star will be offered.

Correa headlines a bumper crop of free-agent shortstops, which also includes the Los Angeles DodgersCorey Seager, Colorado Rockies Trevor Story and New York MetsJavier Baez.

So what will it take to sign the Houston Astros stud? Correa told NBC Sports Chicago what he’s looking for in free agency.

“You know, a lot of people don’t believe in 10-year contracts and in long-term deals and all that,” he said. “But when you look at most of the 10-year contracts they’ve been giving out, the long-term deals, they’re players that are 31, 30, 32. I’m going to be 27 on my first year. I’m young, I’m healthy, and I perform. So we’ll see what happens.”

The precedent of decade-long deals for shortstops was established earlier this year when the San Diego Padres gave Fernando Tatis Jr. a 14-year, $330 million contract and the Mets signed Francisco Lindor to a 10-year, $341 million contract.

As for Correa, he explained why he believes he’s worthy of such an agreement.

“I led the league in WAR for Baseball Reference, led the league in defensive WAR and had a great offensive year. So when you talk about shortstops that can do both things at an elite level, I think you should mention my name.”

Want more Yankees coverage? Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text directly with beat writers

Among the teams which could be interested in Correa is the New York Yankees, who need a shortstop after moving Gleyber Torres to second base. However, the Yankees already have a pair of $300-million contracts on the payroll (Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton) and are expected to explore a long-term contract extension with right fielder Aaron Judge. The Yankees also have to decide if they want to re-sign first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who could command a nine-figure contract.

It’s entirely possible general manager Brian Cashman decides to pass on the top free-agent shortstops, and comes up with a short-term solution until top-ranked prospect Anthony Volpe is ready for his MLB debut.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

X

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

If you opt out, we won’t sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.