Astros Interested in Carlos Correa Return
Astros Eyeing Familiar Face in Carlos Correa Amidst Injury Woes
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The Houston Astros are reportedly exploring a reunion with former star shortstop Carlos Correa as they navigate a challenging period marked by meaningful injuries to key players.The club’s interest in Correa, who spent his first seven MLB seasons with Houston, was initially reported by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Injury Bug Bites Houston
The Astros’ pursuit of potential reinforcements comes as they grapple with a growing list of players on the injured list. Most recently,third baseman Isaac Paredes was sidelined with a right hamstring strain,an injury that is expected to keep him out for an extended period. Paredes joins a notable group of Houston hitters currently unavailable, including Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Peña, Jake Meyers, and Brendan rodgers, all of whom are dealing with their own respective injuries.
Correa’s Minnesota Tenure and Contractual Situation
Correa,30,departed the Astros as a free agent following the 2021 season,signing a three-year,$105.3 million contract with the Minnesota Twins. He later opted out of his contract after the 2022 campaign but ultimately returned to Minnesota on a more considerable six-year, $200 million deal. This contract includes vesting options that could extend his stay through 2032 and a full no-trade clause, meaning any potential move would require his explicit approval.
A Look at Correa’s Current Performance
A three-time All-Star, Correa is experiencing a statistically down year at the plate in 2024. Through 92 games, he is hitting .265 with seven home runs and a .701 OPS. However, this performance is a stark contrast to his 2023 season, where he slashed .310/.388/.517 with a 152 OPS+ over 86 games, showcasing his potential to rebound.
Twins’ Trade Landscape and Houston’s broader Search
With the twins reportedly entering a selling phase,pending free agents like Harrison Bader,Willi Castro,and Danny Coulombe are considered the most likely candidates to be traded. Minnesota is also reportedly open to listening to offers for other controllable players such as Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax, all of whom are under contract through 2027. It’s plausible that the Twins would consider trading Correa to gain payroll versatility, though they might need to absorb a portion of his salary to facilitate such a deal.
Other Astros Targets
The Astros are not solely focused on Correa as they look to bolster their roster. On the offensive side, they have also been linked to other players, including Eugenio suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Ryan O’Hearn of the Baltimore Orioles. Notably, the astros had previously pursued Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals, but Arenado utilized his no-trade clause to block a potential move to Houston in December. On the pitching front, the Astros have expressed interest in Padres starter Dylan Cease, as their pitching staff has also been hampered by injuries.