December 26: Heyman Reports that a few teams have “checked in” since the Mets showed concern about physicality. A situation similar to what happened in San Francisco just a week ago doesn’t seem close, however, as Heyman adds that discussions between the Mets and Correa’s camp appear to have been more substantive than meets the eye. moved on to the Giants following Correa’s physical there.
December 24, 2:51 p.m.: According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, a deal with the Mets is still “likely,” although he reports the contract could be reworked given the issue. While it’s unclear what a reworked contract would look like, it could include changing the length or financial guarantee of the contract, or rewording to change the amount of guaranteed money Correa would earn if he missed a period due to a specific disease of the leg. which raises concerns. Rogers adds that there is no timetable in place to resolve the issue.
10:56 a.m.: Carlos CorreaPhysical examination with Mets ‘raised concerns,’ according to report Ken Rosenthal and Dan Hayes of The Athletic. According to the report, concern is focused on Correa’s surgically repaired lower right leg. Correa agreed to a 12-year, $315 million deal with the Mets just days after a 13-year, $350 million deal with the Giants fell through due to fitness concerns.
While this is shocking to hear given the events of the past week, it is not yet clear what this means for the status of the deal. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that both sides are currently trying to resolve the issue.
Mets owner Steve Cohen has previously addressed the deal, saying Heyman earlier this week “We needed one more thing, and that’s it.” This is especially important because, according to The Athletic’s report, addressing the deal formally could make it more difficult to get out of the deal, although there is no indication that is what the Mets are looking to do.
It’s been a fascinating development going on in Correa’s free agency over the past week. Generally speaking, announced deals awaiting a physical agreement have become official without a hitch, but Correa’s has now hit a snag twice in the space of a week. Additionally, he is one of the top free agents this winter and has made deals worth over $300 million. Correa agreed to a long-term contract with the Giants on Dec. 13, but that fell through Monday after the Giants reportedly asked for more time to review medicals after finding something that gave them pause. However, agent Scott Boras quickly pivoted and went to the Mets, who quickly agreed to their own long-term deal for $35 million less than the Giants’ original deal.
Boras also sought to re-sign with the Twins after the Giants deal fell through. According to The Athletic’s report, they offered him a ten-year, $285 million contract, but reportedly placed more emphasis on a physical before that deal than the deal he signed with Minnesota more early in 2022, given the long-term nature of the contract. proposal. The report also adds that after Correa became available again, the Twins were not willing to change their initial proposal and reportedly wanted to investigate issues raised during the player’s physical with the Giants.
The Giants have remained silent on the subject. HIPAA laws prevent them from releasing clear answers about the precise nature of the injury, but President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi released a statement: “Although we are prohibited from disclosing confidential medical information, as Scott Boras has publicly stated, there has been a difference of opinion regarding the results of Carlos’ physical examination. We wish Carlos the best.
The Correa camp denied any concerns. Before beginning his physical with the Mets, Boras said: “thThere is nothing with him currently that is any medical issue,” via Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. He also added that the Giants were trying to use a “crystal ball” to try to predict Correa’s long-term health (via Newsday’s Laura Albanese).
Various reports have mentioned Correa’s right leg as a source of concern for both the Giants and Mets. In 2014, a teenage Correa fractured his right fibula and suffered minor ligament damage while playing High-A in the Astros organization. This injury required arthroscopic surgery to repair. Correa missed time with thumb, back and rib issues in the major leagues, but the right leg never sent him to the injured list in his eight seasons in the big leagues.
It’s worth remembering that it was only a few years ago that the Mets walked away from a player deal. In 2021, they wrote Kumar Rocker 10th overall and agreed to a $6 million signing bonus, before walking away from the deal after becoming concerned about something they saw in the physique. Of course, giving up a $6 million deal for a draft pick and a $315 million contract for an All-Star are two different things, and Cohen’s comments certainly provide confidence that a deal can still be concluded in one form or another.
It’s the latest twist in what has been a tumultuous time for Correa on the open market. He was the top free agent after leaving the Astros last year, but after the long-term deal he sought didn’t pan out, he agreed to a three-year, $105.1 million deal , responsible for deregistration, with the Twins. After making $35.1 million last season and having another good season, he opted out and hit the open market for the second winter in a row. The long-term mega-deal he was seeking finally seemed to have come to fruition when it was reported that the Giants had agreed to a 13-year, $350 million pact. That deal fell through, but Correa was able to quickly reach a deal worth over $300 million with the Mets. Although there is a good chance that a deal with New York will still be reached, there remains at least some doubt about it.
