Giants ‘in the driver’s seat’ to land star shortstop Carlos Correa
Dec 8, 2022, 2:50 PM | Updated: 3:00 pm
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
It’s been a painful week for the San Francisco Giants, but things could be taking a turn for the better as the Winter Meetings begin to wind down.
After missing out on another high-profile free agent in superstar slugger Aaron Judge, the Giants have reportedly turned their attention to 28-year-old shortstop Carlos Correa as they hope to lure in the two-time All-Star.
San Francisco’s interest in Correa is legitimate, and Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Thursday that the Giants are “in the driver’s seat” when it comes to obtaining the shortstop’s services.
The Giants are still short one outfielder, a middle infielder and a front-line starter. San Francisco’s top priority is shortstop Carlos Correa.@susanslusser breaks down where things stand after the winter meetings: https://t.co/SaHhRO7HZx
— Sporting Green (@SportingGreenSF) December 8, 2022
The consensus around the industry is that the Giants are in the driver’s seat for Correa, given their financial flexibility and need for a big name, but the Twins and Cubs are in the hunt, and it’s likely that Boston, after losing Bogaerts, would make a play for Correa, too.
Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle on free agent shortstop Carlos Correa (December 8, 2022)
Correa, who recently opted out of his three-year, $105 million deal with the Minnesota Twins, will surely be in the neighborhood for a similar price tag that recently-signed star shortstops Trea Turner (11 years, $300 million with Philadelphia) and Xander Bogaerts (11 years, $280 million with San Diego) received during the past week of free agency developments.
Unfortunately for the Giants, the market has set the price for Correa, which will be steep.
Of course, team president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi had made it clear that San Francisco will be aggressive this offseason in hopes of bringing in a marquee talent that can roam Oracle Park for the next several years. Money doesn’t appear to be an issue for the Giants, as they currently have just $40.5 million on the books for the 2024 season.
During the failed attempt at signing Judge this week, the Giants were not outbid, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, as one could assume that Zaidi was prepared to top the New York Yankees’ accepted offer of $360 million over nine years.
To secure a commitment from Correa–a client of super-agent Scott Boras, who has famously guaranteed big paydays for his players–the Giants will need to hand out a deal in the eight-to-ten-year range with the money landing in the neighborhood of $300 million.
With aging shortstop Brandon Crawford entering what could be his final year in the orange and black, San Francisco has a chance to bring in the best position player remaining on the market and place him at short for the next decade.
Correa is a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove award winner, meaning that there won’t be much drop-off from Crawford’s famous defensive excellence if a switch is made.
The possibility is there for the Giants, but it will all come down to dollars and years. It’s time to make a commitment, and it appears that Zaidi and the rest of San Francisco’s front office is up for the challenge.
