Are Detroit Tigers pricing themselves out of Carlos Correa sweepstakes?

It’s long been thought that the Detroit Tigers would be one of the leading teams to sign shortstop Carlos Correa away from the Houston Astros this offseason. However, the price tag that comes with Correa potentially being a part of Detroit’s upward trajectory could reportedly keep the Tigers from obtaining him.

Rumor: Carlos Correa could be too expensive for the Detroit Tigers

According to a tweet from Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the willingness of the Detroit Tigers to sign a player who would command roughly $250 million is “uncertain.” That could be a problem if the Tigers are wanting to ink Correa, one of the elite members of the very deep 2021-22 shortstop free agent class. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required), Correa could sign a 10-year contract this offseason worth $300 million. That’s an average salary of $30 million per year meaning that, if the Tigers were in theory stopping at a $250 million milestone, they would need to offer fewer years at that value or fewer years at a much higher average annual value (AAV).

Bowden also lists the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Boston Red Sox as potential suitors for Correa and his expected high contract demands as well.

Of course, there’s a natural connection for Correa in Detroit with former Astros manager AJ Hinch now managing the Tigers. However, it’s also known that the Tigers are likely to chase free agent pitching as well this offseason. As Morosi points out, Detroit has already started some early conversations with pitchers who might be able to help the Tigers. Those free agent arms, of course, will cost money to obtain, so could Detroit be hesitant to short-change those efforts by putting big money on Correa?

Morosi seems to indicate in another tweet that the Tigers are covering their bases when it comes to the free agent shortstop market. Could someone expected to fetch a lower AAV like Trevor Story, Javier Báez, or Chris Taylor make more sense if Detroit’s money has to be spread around?

Certainly Correa is the prized pick of this free agent class in the minds of many Detroit fans. However, economics may keep that dream from becoming a reality if the Tigers want to make several splashes instead of just one big one.