With Juan Soto signing his contract, teams can turn their attention in another direction, which includes potentially trading for Carlos Correa. While attending the Winter Meetings, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the Minnesota Twins have received phone calls about the All-Star shortstop. Speaking with Nightengale, Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey stated, “Obviously, you expect teams to call on players like that…but we want to win, so a high bar is set.”
Derek Falvey on Carlos Correa: “Obviously, you expect teams to call on players like that, especially with where we are and some of the conversations we’re having with other clubs, but we want to win, so a high bar is set.” https://t.co/ttgmFngOQN
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) December 10, 2024
Carlos Correa’s Trade Value
While the Twins’ current owners, the Pohlad family, are trying to sell the team, keeping the payroll at $130 million is the expectation. Nightengale notes that for a team to add a starting pitcher and corner outfielder without increasing payroll, the Twins will likely need to do this through the trade market. Nightengale mentioned Chris Paddack, Christian Vázquez, and All-Star utility man Willi Castro as possible trade candidates since they will be free agents after the 2025 season. An issue noted, though, is that these players underperformed in the second half of last season, garnering little value in a trade.
For the Twins to make a significant move via trade, it must come from a player with meaningful value. Correa fits this bill with his skill and salary. He will make $37 million in 2025, and if the Twins exercise their team options, his contract could run through the 2032 season. Even though discussions have occurred, Nightengale notes that there has been “no indication anything has advanced beyond a preliminary phone call.” Another thing worth noting is that Correa has a no-trade clause in his contract.
Despite the Twins’ downfall to end the 2024 season, Falvey reiterated to Nightengale that, “While there is never a perfect roster — you always want to try to get it better, augment it — there is a good foundation and a good core here that we think can go compete.” When healthy, the Twins have a strong core of position players, including Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis, and Correa. The Twins will have to decide whether or not breaking up that core will improve their team in 2025.
Photo Credit: © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
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