Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa made all kinds of headlines during the MLB offseason.
He agreed to three different contracts with three teams, but the first two (a $350 million deal with the San Francisco Giants and a $315 million pact with the New York Mets) were nixed due to concerns over his surgically-repaired right ankle.
The third time was the charm, as the Twins snagged him for $200 million and a chance to make it $270 million.
He has been a regular for Team Puerto Rico in international competitions such as the World Baseball Classic.
However, he has decided to step away and not represent his country in the 2023 edition that will start in a little over a month.
“Carlos Correa is withdrawing from the World Baseball Classic after making a joint decision with the #MNTwins. Correa’s wife is due with the couple’s second child the same week that Puerto Rico opens WBC play. Twins don’t want Correa juggling family/WBC. Story to follow,” Twins insider Dan Hayes tweeted.
Carlos Correa is withdrawing from the World Baseball Classic after making a joint decision with the #MNTwins. Correa's wife is due with the couple's second child the same week that Puerto Rico opens WBC play. Twins don't want Correa juggling family/WBC.
Story to follow.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) February 6, 2023
It appears that the decision was a joint one between Correa and the team and doesn’t have anything to do with his ankle.
Correa has played, so far, in eight WBC games, in two editions.
He has performed admirably, with a .333/.500/.750 line (10-for-24), 10 runs scored, three homers, and nine RBI.
He has a cool 10/4 BB/K ratio, too.
In other words, Puerto Rico just lost one of their best players for the tournament.
Will they be able to overcome that loss? It remains to be seen.
The player, meanwhile, will be focusing on his family before focusing on the Twins’ 2023 season and the challenges ahead.
NEXT: MLB Insider Questions New Carlos Correa Rumor
