The San Francisco Giants made a huge splash last night, signing veteran shortstop Carlos Correa to a 13-year, $350 million contract.
The 2017 World Series champion had spent the 2022 season with the Minnesota Twins after signing a three-year, $105.3 million contract.
The star shortstop ultimately opted out after hitting .291 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI in hopes of earning a larger deal.
But prior to signing with the Twins last offseason, the 28-year-old was offered five years and $160 million from the Houston Astros.
Correa turned that offer down and ultimately bet on himself by signing with the Twins on a shorter-term deal.
In the end, it earned him a fortune.
The Astros offered Carlos Correa a five-year, $160 million contract at the end of the 2021 season. He ended up getting 14 years and $395 million guaranteed between the Twins and Giants.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 14, 2022
Correa Earns A Fortune
Correa would have obviously made more right away had he accepted the Astros offer.
But by betting on himself, he found a way to become one of the highest-paid players in all of baseball.
In fact, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Correa ended up signing the largest contract for any shortstop in the history of baseball.
Needless to say, the choice to bet on himself after the end of the lockout was a smart move for the two-time All-Star.
The Giants now have a star to build around.
Ultimately, things worked out just fine for the Astros, who replaced Correa with Jeremy Pena, the ALCS and World Series MVP.
But Correa made a judgement call after the 2021 season and decided to take a shorter-term deal, which in the end got him a long-term contract worth more than $300 million.
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