Correa savors spending time with old mates
MINNEAPOLIS — On Tuesday afternoon, Carlos Correa coaxed Joe Espada out of the Astros’ clubhouse. Correa promised his former bench coach a few pictures with trophies he helped him win. Espada coaches Houston’s infielders and Correa has credited him for his transformation into the sport’s best defensive shortstop.
Correa kept the Gold Glove and Platinum Glove trophies he won last season at Target Field for this sole purpose. He brought both out to the backstop, posed for some iphone photos with Espada and presented a surprise. Correa gifted his coach two gloves — one with a gold patch and the other with a platinum one — to thank him for their four years together in Houston.
“The guy just knows how to treat people,” Espada said, “(with) how respectful he is.”
“I told him he didn’t have to do that, but he just values people that go out and help him. The guy is just a class act. It’s very rare, but I’m not surprised. He was raised that way, to say thanks and to show respect for others.”
Relationships matter to Correa. A new contract and clubhouse did not change that. He still follows the Astros from afar, tracking box scores and fielding phone calls from former teammates he’s now trying to beat. Some players prefer to sever ties completely, make a clean break and start anew. Correa cannot take such drastic measures, even while starting a new phase of his career in Minnesota.
“For me it’s not looking back at the organization, for me it’s looking back at my brothers,” Correa said. “Anything I can do to help them. I’ve talked to some of the guys that are struggling, trying to give them some
hitting advice or defensive advice or they ask me about this certain stat — what does it mean, how can they improve it. I always keep that connection and always have that bond with my ex-teammates.”
Tuesday offered the truest illustration of it. After Correa gifted Espada his gloves, the Target Field backstop hosted a family reunion for about 30 minutes. Astros players, coaches and front office staff arrived in waves to greet their former shortstop, another face of the franchise that walked away in free agency.
“We still think of him as one of our own,” first baseman Yuli Gurriel said through an interpreter.
Correa spent about an hour greeting the Astros' entire traveling party. Most expected handshakes or high-fives. Correa wrapped all of them in bear hugs, everyone from general manager James Click to bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte to second baseman Jose Altuve, the only double play partner he'd ever known.
“I was truly looking forward to it,” Correa said. “I'm very happy I get to see them again, spend some time with them. They were not teammates. They were family. It feels good to see them.”
It is all Correa will do this week. The Twins placed him on the injured list prior to Tuesday's game, ensuring he will not play in these three games. The Twins initially feared Correa fractured his right middle finger after he was hit by a pitch last week, but further tests revealed only a bruise. A fracture could have sidelined Correa for six to eight weeks.
Correa maintained some hope he could play at some point during this series. He tried to swing a bat and field ground balls on Monday, but said he “couldn't do it without a lot of pain.” The Twins could ill afford playing with another series with a short bench and swapped Correa for outfielder Mark Contreras.
Tuesday's move sapped this road trip of its most intriguing storyline. Correa has not faced the Astros since signing a three-year, $105.3 million contract with Minnesota during spring training. After owners lifted their lockout in March, the Astros made no legitimate attempt to reunite with their former first-overall pick, who is now the sport's highest-paid infielder.
Correa is scheduled to return to Minute Maid Park on Aug. 23-25 when the Astros host the Twins for a three-game series, though that reunion also feels tenuous. The Twins entered Tuesday's seriesopener atop the American League Central, but if they falter and fall out of playoff contention across the next two months, Correa will become a prime trade candidate at the Aug. 2 trade deadline.
Correa appeared close to his true form before hitting the injured list. He raised his OPS from .570 to .693 with a 14-for-34 stretch across the final eight games he played. The turnaround, coupled with George Springer's heroics last month in Toronto, left many within Houston's organization wondering whether a repeat loomed.
It will not, allowing Correa to watch for what he wants the most.
“It's always fun to keep up with the boys,” Correa said. “I want them all to do good.”