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Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals “dark horse” candidates for Carlos Correa

By Noah Yingling

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting an RBI double against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning in Game Five of the World Series at Truist Park on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting an RBI double against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning in Game Five of the World Series at Truist Park on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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In the final week or so before the MLB lockout, there were a lot free agents who signed deals with new teams, including shortstops Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, and Javier Báez. But one of them who didn’t sign is, arguably, the best free agent of all of them: Carlos Correa. And the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals could be fits for him.

The Texas Rangers signed both Semien and Seager and the Detroit Tigers signed Báez so the Rangers definitely won’t be in the market for Correa and the Tigers are unlikely to be. But there are still plenty of options for possible landing spots for Carlos Correa. They include the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, and two other teams that may surprise you.

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals may be in on Carlos Correa

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals are two “dark horse” teams that could be in on Carlos Correa, per MLB.com. As they noted, both the Cubs and Nationals were trade deadline sellers last season but neither team plans on having a rebuild.

Both teams are larger market teams and they have money to spend. The Cubs already showed that they want to win now by agreeing to terms with starting pitcher Marcus Stroman on a three-year deal for $71 million. The Cubs would not sign him unless they a) plan on winning and b) are willing to spend some money.

The Nationals, on the other hand, have a payroll of approximately $103 million, according to Sportrac. In 2019, when they won the World Series, their payroll was approximately double that. Considering that some teams (like the Rangers) are returning to their pre-pandemic level of salary, the Nationals could be one of those teams too.

Currently, the Cubs have Nico Hoerner penciled in at shortstop and the Nationals have Alcides Escobar penciled in at shortstop but Correa would obviously fit into either lineup at shortstop. Also, if the new CBA brings the designated hitter to the National League, both teams become even better fits.

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Especially after their 2021 seasons, you wouldn’t think of the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals as being fits for Carlos Correa. However, both teams would show that they plan on contending in 2022 and beyond with the addition of Correa when the lockout ends.

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