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Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa has crazy asking price in free agency

Many experts conclude that Houston Astros star shortstop Carlos Correa is the best player on the MLB free-agent market this winter.

Correa, 27, has been aiming for a huge contract since he became arbitration eligible years ago. For good reason. We’re talking about a two-time All-Star who is coming off a Gold Glove performance and has already won a World Series title.

At this point, we’re just not too sure how the market will play out for Correa and other big-name free agency with a work stoppage on the horizon.

With that said, Correa is said to be demanding a pretty penny on the open market. In reality, it also likely takes the Astros out of contention to re-sign one of their franchise cornerstones.

“Sources have indicated that when it comes to Correa in particular, he will not settle for anything less than the $341 million figure that Francisco Lindor got from the Mets,” Matthew Roberson of the NY Daily News reported on Wednesday.

Related: Ideal free agent landing spots for Carlos Correa

Placing a value on Carlos Correa

carlos correa contract, mlb free agency
Oct 31, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) during the third inning of game five of the 2021 World Series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

It stands to reason that the $341 million figure is over 10 years — the exact same contract Lindor received in his extension with the New York Mets back in March. As Roberson notes, this pretty much takes the New York Yankees out of the running.

They have been linked to shortstops this winter. However, the feeling now is that New York’s brass will look at a stopgap option. In this scenario, the likes of Andrelton Simmons and even Javier Baez become likelier scenarios.

That’s the one issue for Correa. If he is dead set on matching Lindor’s contract, interest in the star’s services will be limited to larger-market teams or those looking to open up their pocketbooks. With the Yankees potentially being out of the market, it shrinks to an extent.

Carlos Correa stats

Carlos Correa, Carlos Correa free agency
Oct 16, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) reacts after hitting a single against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning in game two of the 2021 ALCS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
  • 2021: .279 average, 26 homers, 92 RBI, .850 OPS
  • 2020: .264 average, five homers, 25 RBI, .709 OPS (COVID shortened)
  • 2019: .279 average, 21 homers, 59 RBI, .926 OPS
  • 2018: .239 average, 15 homers, 65 RBI, .728 OPS
  • 2017: .315 average, 24 homers, 82 RBI, .941 OPS
  • 2016: .274 average, 20 homers, 96 RBI, .811 OPS
  • 2016: .279 average, 22 homers, 68 RBI, .957 OPS

Related: Carlos Correa and other top MLB free agents

As you can see, Correa is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. At the very least, it beats what we saw from him in 2016, 2018 and during the shortened 2020 campaign.

Markets fluctuate every off-season around MLB. The question here is whether teams view Carlos Correa in the same light as the aforementioned Lindor. When looking at pretty much every statistical measure, Lindor has been a better player than Correa throughout their careers.

There’s also this thing called market competition. Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Trevor Story and Javier Baez are other top-end middle infielders currently on the free-agent market.

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