After a weekend that saw the final big names removed from the list of free agents, Keith Law breaks down what to expect from each player.
Carlos Correa to Minnesota Twins
The Twins’ signing of Carlos Correa might be the biggest shock of the offseason, but it’s also one of the best moves any team has made and further underscores the Twins’ determination to return to contention after a disappointing showing in 2021. He addresses one of their biggest needs and comes on a short-term deal that limits the Twins’ downside, and could end up being as simple as a one-year contract for one of the best players in baseball.
The Twins got nothing out of shortstop in 2021, with an aggregate line of .233/.298/.323, mostly from a not-100 percent Andrelton Simmons, who fielded well but hasn’t hit since suffering a serious ankle injury in 2020. Correa was worth nearly six more wins than Simmons last year, hitting .279/.366/.485, and that’s not even his career-best. He alone had 14 more homers, 14 more doubles and 28 more walks than all Twins shortstops combined. With Simmons gone to the Cubs, the Twins didn’t have anyone on the roster capable of playing shortstop every day in the majors right now, so they had to get someone. But instead of just settling for anybody who could stand at the position, they got the best free agent on the market.
Correa’s contract guarantees just one year at $35.1 million, after which he has two player options for 2023 and 2024 at the same salary.