MLB free company predictions – who will go the place?
1. SS Carlos Correa (Age: 27)
Projected Contract: 10 years, $320 million
Final Contract: 1 yr, $11.7 million
Former Astros’ shortstop and World Collection Champion Carlos Correa is undoubtedly the largest title left on the free-agent board. He was earlier than the lockout and nonetheless is. This offseason was presupposed to be one of many largest winters ever for free-agent shortstops and really properly might be nonetheless. Just one large title shortstop signed earlier than the lockout: Corey Seager, who will likely be teaming up with Marcus Semien in Texas this yr.
With a lot to show in 2021, Correa delivered, slashing .279/.366/.485 and ending fifth in AL MVP voting. There had been some considerations about Correa’s means to remain wholesome contemplating the previous Rookie of the Yr performed in solely 185 video games between 2018 and 2019, however after taking part in in 148 video games in 2021, these worries have all however subsided. Correa brings a unbelievable glove and highly effective bat to the shortstop place and he’s simply 27 years outdated. Anticipate him to signal a deal just like what Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor signed final season.
A number of groups are probably concerned with signing Correa, and whereas it will make sense for a group just like the New York Yankees or Philadelphia Phillies to go after Correa in an try to win a World Collection, maybe a reunion with the Houston Astros is sensible as properly, it appears more likely {that a} group seeking to construct round Correa will spend extra on him for extra years.
The Chicago Cubs have at all times been one of the closely rumored groups round Correa, and after a tumultuous 2021 that noticed Chicago ship off everybody not named Wilson Contreras, they’ve tons of cash to spend. The Tigers probably priced themselves out after signing Javy Báez and the Astros by no means appeared too concerned with re-signing Correa on condition that their extension talks final yr by no means received previous $125 million whole. Correa will likely be searching for rather more than that.
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
