By The big allure of this year’s free agent class was that it possessed some of the game’s most exciting shortstops. Guys like Corey Seager, Javy Baez, Carlos Correa, and Trevor Story would have their first shot on the open market to get their big paydays. There was a stir around the league of how much money would these middle infielders pull in after Fernando Tatis Jr. got a shocking 14 year $340 million after barely 3 years in the pros. Shortstop is undeniably one of the most crucial defensive positions in baseball. And having guys like these 4 that can provide so much at the plate while playing solid defense will warrant a high price tag.
Corey Seager got it started with a 10 year $325 million contract from the Texas Rangers, surprisingly leaving his longtime Dodgers. Javy Baez kept it rolling signing for $140 million over 6 years. Both guys left better teams for (assumingly) money and to offer a veteran presence to younger clubs. Story and Correa had to wait for the lockout to conclude to officially make their decisions. What were those and what impact will they have?
New Shortstop in Minnesota
After reports that a lot of the bigger markets teams were tapped in on Correa like the Yankees, Cubs, or just back to Houston, Carlos had other ideas. A stunning dark horse, the Minnesota Twins stepped in and swooped up the 27-year-old shortstop. I think this deal is an absolute win for both sides. Here is why.
Win for Correa
He is 27. He signed a 3 year contract with opt-outs after every year of the deal. So this leaves him with so much flexibility that can only benefit himself.
Let’s say he has a near MVP level season this year. He could just opt-out and become one of the top players in a weak 2023 free agent class and get that mega-contract that players dream of. If that MVP level season does not come year 1, but year 2 instead, he can do the same exact thing. If that year never comes he can just ride out the 3 year deal and make $105.3 million in the progress. Correa would then hit the market at only 30 years old and have the opportunity of another large contract. Correa cannot really lose and will get another sizeable contract one way or another.
Win for Twins
Look. Nobody is really clamoring to come to Minnesota to play baseball. The Twins are coming off a 5th place finish in the AL Central and only have so many valuable players on their team. Even if you did overspend, it is up for debate, you bring in a superstar-level talent to a team that desperately needs it. You still probably will not make much noise, but the AL Central is not as strong as it used to be so who knows. Correa could play recruiter and bring in some more talent if the team could show any promise and entice Correa to stick around longer than 3 years. Nonetheless, you got a guy who just finished 5th in MVP voting and you are the Twins. Job well done.
New “Shortstop” in Boston
Another dark horse team steals the last big shortstop on the market, but this one is less surprising. The Red Sox reportedly had interest in Story for a while and they were able to convince him to call Fenway home. After the signing, news broke that other teams offered the 29-year-old shortstop more money, but the attraction of winning baseball games swayed Story to choose Boston. Making him the only shortstop to opt for a better opportunity than better money. Just like Correa, I think this signing is a win for both parties.
Win for Story
Trevor finally gets to get away from all that comes with Colorado. Gets away from the stigma that his numbers are only that good because he plays in the high altitude of Coors Field. He also gets away from potential snow games in April.
There was that cloud over his home/away splits and that he might be a product of Coors. The Red Sox saw through that and rewarded the potential player they saw. And rewarded him in a big way with a backloaded 6 year deal containing an opt-out. Quite player-friendly. They count on the athlete that Story is and the talent he has. As an added bonus, Story now gets to play for a winning organization in front of some of baseball’s best fans. Two things he has never done in his career. Good for you Trevor.
Win for Red Sox
The initial concern for Boston was that Story only wanted to play shortstop. The Red Sox have Xander Bogaerts who only wants to play shortstop as well and he takes priority. After calls from numerous Red Sox players, including Bogaerts, Story realized how much he was wanted and “gave in” to playing second for $140 million. The Red Sox now get a long-term answer at second base. This is something that has eluded them ever since Dustin Pedroia started to break down late in his career. The hope is that they can lock up Bogaerts and star third baseman, Rafael Devers, over the next couple of years and have 3 franchise pieces in a highly talented infield. They needed to make a splash to keep up in baseball’s best division and they did so. Well done Chaim Bloom.
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