Correa wants to be an ‘Astro for life’
Star’s fate uncertain after Springer’s exit
The trajectory of George Springer’s free agency felt familiar. Members of the Astros’ front office acknowledged his greatness but spoke in vague terms about a possible reunion. He was given a qualifying offer for nothing more than the draft pick compensation attached to it. Springer declined and, for all intents and purposes, the Astros’ pursuit of him concluded.
It was the third time in three years the Astros did the same dance with a marquee free agent. Dallas Keuchel departed after the 2018 season, later saying he didn’t feel “valued.” Gerrit Cole left following the 2019 season for a record deal with the New York Yankees — a contract the Astros had no prayer of matching. Both
men declined the Astros’ qualifying offers. Neither was legitimately courted afterward.
Carlos Correa, the former first overall pick and a franchise cornerstone, could face a similar fate following the 2021 season. He will head into free agency alongside Lance McCullers Jr., another homegrown talent. Fans have already launched an online petition for owner Jim Crane to bring both men back. One is all in.
“I love this organization. I love the Astros. I would love to be an Astro for life,” Correa said. “I hope they’re on the same side I am. If they’re on the same side, I would love to be an Astro for the rest of my life.
“This is where I got drafted. This is where I’ve played. This is where I’ve developed and grown as a man. Nothing would make me happier than to represent this organization and be a franchise player.”
Next month, Correa and the Astros will go to an arbitration hearing over his 2021 salary. The two sides sit about $3 million apart. Correa filed at $12.5 million. The Astros countered at $9.75 million. The Astros are a file-and-trial club, meaning any negotiations about a settlement ceased after the Jan. 15 deadline to exchange figures.
Going to an arbitration hearing with a free-agent-to-be can set an ominous tone for any negotiations for a long-term deal. The Astros took Cole to a hearing prior to the 2019 season. They were set to take Springer to one last winter, too, before owner Jim Crane stepped in and settled the dispute before a hearing.
“The most important thing to understand is it’s a business, and you have to leave your feelings out of it,” Correa said. “You have to understand that teams are trying to build the best team possible and try to spend (a) less amount of money. That’s what business means. You want to be able to profit and still have a solid team. I understand that. I leave feelings outside of it. I know arbitration is a process that happens to a lot of people.”
Earlier this month, firstyear general manager James Click seemed optimistic that presenting an “objective” case against Correa would lead to no ill will. Last week, Click acknowledged the two sides had engaged in talks about a contract extension but decided to “get through this one (the arbitration hearing)” first.
“This is not anything other than just we see the market one way, and they see the market the other way. That’s why the arbitration system is there: to resolve disagreements like this,” Click said.
“Sometimes you have cases that might have a very small spread, and if one side or the other does not conduct themselves professionally, I think that can lead to lingering bad feelings. We have nothing but the utmost respect for Carlos and his group. Again, I can’t emphasize this enough.”
Correa will enter his final season of club control with a fascinating résumé. He won American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2015 before playing 153 games and posting an .811 OPS in 2016. Correa’s talent and upside is unmistakable. His health and durability raise concerns, making his value somewhat difficult to assess.
In each of the three 162game seasons since 2016, Correa missed at least 50 games. His injuries range from chronic to comical. Back problems plagued him in 2018 and 2019. A masseuse broke his rib during the 2019 season.
Correa played healthy throughout the 60-game season in 2020 but slugged just .383. He struck more home runs in 14 postseason games (six) than he did in 58 regular-season games (five). Thirty-nine of Correa’s 53 regular-season hits were singles, though he attributed the malaise to the season’s unconventional nature.
After this season, Correa will join a star-studded group of shortstops on the free-agent market. Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story, Corey Seager and Javier Baez are all slated to be available. Correa could build his value and distinguish himself by playing an injury-free, elite 2021 season.
Correa will be 27 next winter and plays a premium position. Springer signed with the Blue Jays as a 31-year-old center fielder who seems likely to move into one of the corners as he ages. Assuming Springer plays out the entire contract, he will depart as a 37year-old.
The Astros gave third baseman Alex Bregman an extension at 25 and second baseman Jose Altuve another at 28. Bregman’s was a pre-free agency pact — buying out all of his arbitration years. Justin Verlander’s extension arrived before his final season of club control, too. Many wonder why the Astros aren’t huge spenders in free agency. Verlander and Bregman accentuate a good reason: The club often doesn’t let some of its targets get to free agency.
Cole, Keuchel and Charlie Morton were exceptions. Long-term or lucrative deals for starting pitchers always involve huge risk. During Crane’s ownership tenure, the Astros have shied away from lengthy commitments to pitchers. Scott Feldman’s three-year, $30 million deal remains the longest for a free-agent starter.
Even their most lucrative short-term deal backfired. Verlander signed a two-year, $66 million contract extension in March 2019, his final season before free agency. His $33 million average annual value in 2020 and 2021 was a record for starting pitchers. Verlander made one mound appearance during the contract before injuring his elbow. He underwent Tommy John surgery in October and will not pitch in 2021.
Verlander’s $33 million will come off the books after the 2021 season. Zack Greinke will hit free agency, too, eliminating his $24,666,667 salary. Jose Altuve will still make $29 million, and Michael Brantley will have a $16 million salary, but the wiggle room, ostensibly, gives the Astros a shot to splurge on something.
Could it be Correa?