Very few people had the Minnesota Twins coming after star free agent shortstop Carlos Correa, but they knocked on his door with a lucrative short-term deal that he ended up taking.
It was a three-year, $105.3 million deal that will pay him $35.1 million per season.
The pact has two opt-out clauses for Correa: one after the 2022 season, and one after 2023, so he can re-enter the market in the offseason if he wants.
The player seems happy with the decision he made, and the team’s most recent pictures in training camp show it.
The Twins’ Twitter account posted four photos of Twins players smiling, jumping, and getting ready for the season, under the title “infield having fun on a Friday.”
Infield having fun on a Friday 😆 pic.twitter.com/opXqBeb9lo
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 25, 2022
Luis Arraez, Gio Urshela (another newcomer, in his case, in a trade with the New York Yankees) and Correa were some of the infielders captured by the Twins’ cameras.
Correa was seen touching gloves with a fellow infielder.
Correa Will Help Carry The Twins
The 27-year-old will try to contribute some of his offensive and defensive prowess to Minnesota, not to mention his playoff pedigree.
The former Houston Astros star is tied for seventh in postseason home runs, with 18.
In 2021, he won the Gold and Platinum Glove awards: the latter is given to the best overall fielder in each league.
With the bat, he was equally good, slashing .279/.366/.485 with 26 home runs, 104 runs scored, and 92 RBI.
The Twins are still at least a couple of pitchers short of making a true postseason push, but they could make some noise and surprise a few if Joe Ryan, Josh Winder, and Bailey Ober all develop into reliable starters and if Dylan Bundy can have a decent season behind staff ace Sonny Gray.
That’s a lot of ifs, but Correa seems to be enjoying his time as a Twin and the organization is thrilled to have him.
NEXT: Twins Showing Off Impressive New Pitcher-Catcher Duo In 2022
