Correa picks Twins for $35.1M a year
One of the most surprising signings of the spring trickled out after most people went to sleep Friday night.
Former Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, 27, agreed to a three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins, according to people familiar with the matter who said it will be worth $105.3 million — or $35.1 million annually, just more than the previous high for an infielder, secured by Anthony Rendon of the Los Angeles Angels.
Everything about Correa’s style, temperament, résumé and price tag suggested he was destined for a major market team, to stay in Houston or head somewhere like Detroit that is spending freely to rebuild.
That he ended up with the Twins — a middle-ofthe-pack spender — was nothing short of shocking.
Correa’s deal reportedly includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, meaning he can hit the market if he wants after this season to pursue a long-term deal worth more than $300 million.
He joins a team that has lost 18 consecutive postseason games and last season finished last in the AL Central at 73-89.
His average salary becomes baseball’s fourthhighest behind New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer ($43.3 million), New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole ($36 million) and Angels outfielder Mike Trout ($35.5 million).
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Braves: Atlanta capped a busy week with another stunning move, signing three-time All-Star closer Kenley Jansen toa $16 million, one-year contract Friday night.
Jansen, 34, had 38 saves and a 2.22 ERA in 69 appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. The righty is expected to take over from left-hander Will Smith as the Braves’
Aprimary closer.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos said he discussed the signing with Smith before finalizing it.
Smith had 37 saves and was especially effective down the stretch and in the postseason for the World Series champions. In the playoffs, he had six saves and didn’t allow a run over 11 innings.
The Braves started wheeling and dealing Monday, trading four prospects to the Oakland Athletics for first baseman
Matt Olson and signaling the end of Freddie Freeman’s career in Atlanta.
Anthopoulos also landed reliever Collin McHugh with a two-year, $10 million deal and brought back outfielder
Eddie Rosario for $18 million over two years.
Phillies: Free-agent outfielder Nick Castellanos, 30, agreed to a $100 million, five-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal.
It was the second big free-agent splash this
Aweek for the Phillies, who are beefing up their lineup to compete with the
Braves and Mets in the NL East. Outfielder Kyle Schwarber agreed Wednesday to a four-year contract worth about $80 million.
Castellanos hit .309 with 34 homers, 100 RBIs and a .939 OPS last year for the Cincinnati Reds, making his first All-Star team. He is a .278 career hitter with 168 home runs, 594 RBIs and an .814 OPS in nine seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and Reds.
A corner outfielder with a suspect glove, Castellanos joins reigning NL
MVP Bryce Harper in the middle of a lineup that also features All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto.
Tigers: Right-hander Michael Pineda agreed to a one-year deal. He was 9-8 with a 3.62 ERA for Minnesota last season and was 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA in his final five games, leading the majors in wins in September.
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