Correa expects big season, deal extension
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Early Monday morning, Carlos Correa confronted the cruel realities of his new normal. Chefs aren’t in the Houston Astros’ spring training complex to cater to every player’s specific needs.
“We didn’t have the guys that make me the great omelet with banana pancakes every single morning,” Correa said after Monday’s first full-squad workout, “so I had to eat whatever was in the hot box, which was scrambled eggs with potatoes.”
Correa took his plate and found no cafeteria. The team must now eat outdoors under tents and with acceptable social distance. Once Correa finished, he found his way to the minor league clubhouse — a building he probably hadn’t entered in this facility’s five-year existence. Position players are dressing there throughout camp. Pitchers reside in the major league clubhouse.
Correa came out in a longsleeved shirt. His neon orange sleeves distinguished him from other teammates. He made infield practice appear effortless, flashing a smile and barking Spanish to bench coach Joe Espada. He pulled a few batting practice pitches down the left-field line. As morning morphed into afternoon, Correa gathered his belongings and concluded his first day.
“I’ve never been more excited to show up to spring training in my career than this year. I’m super excited to be here,” Correa said. “I’m happy that baseball is back. I feel something special in this clubhouse. The way everybody showed up today really told me a lot of how everybody put in the work to make sure they’re ready — ready to compete and ready to win another championship.”
At 26, Correa can speak with the sort of authority otherwise reserved for an elder. If any one man will be this team’s leader, it is Correa. His voice carries weight. His actions at shortstop can bail out the team in its tightest spot. His presence is paramount, if not mandatory, for the continuation of a clubhouse culture.
“Whenever a new guy shows up or a guy comes up from the minor leagues, we have to make sure that we teach them the ways and how we do things here and the atmosphere we’ve been able to build for almost five years now,” Correa said.
Consider Correa something of an architect for the Astros’ renaissance. His arrival in 2015 invigorated a club just learning how to win. His only All-star appearance coincided with the franchise’s only World Series. And a possible departure could determine the franchise’s long-term future.
Correa did not want to acknowledge that Monday might have been his final first day at Astros spring training. A post-workout meeting with reporters made the task impossible.
Peppered with questions about his future — a subject he stoked with an eye-opening radio interview last month — Correa appeared prepared.
On Monday, within 10 minutes, he proclaimed himself one of the two best shortstops eligible for free agency following this season. Then, without prompt, Correa revealed he could — and would — move to third base if the right situation arises.
“If it’s here, I’d love to stay here and play third base if that’s the case. That’s just a position I also enjoy,” Correa said. “I’m the one that has the option that can go shortstop, can go third base, can play defense at a high level and can produce power at the plate and can hit.”
Discussions with the Astros about a long-term contract extension are nonexistent, Correa said. Mutual interest still exists on both sides. Correa gave an opening day deadline to get a deal done.
“Talks are nowhere right now,” he said. “I leave that up to my agent and the organization. But right now, there’s no talks about it. If the Astros want to extend me, I would like to get it done before the season starts.”