Back in 2022, with the Houston Astros seemingly having no need for him anymore, Carlos Correa inked a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Minnesota Twins. Earlier this week, reports surfaced of Correa potentially getting traded back to the team that made him the first overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft.
On Thursday, with just hours to go before the MLB trade deadline passed, Correa waived his no-trade clause to get traded back to the Astros.
According to ESPN’s MLB expert Jeff Passan, the deal is done, with the Astros re-acquiring Correa, a former Platinum Glove winner. Isaac Paredes being ruled out with a season-ending injury reopened the door for Correa’s return.
The Twins will receive 26-year-old left-handed pitching prospect Matt Mikulski in exchange for Correa. He’s not one of the Astros’ top 30 prospects according to MLB.com.
Correa signed another contract with the Twins this past offseason, landing a six-year, $200 million contract. Considering his hitting has dropped to a career-low OPS of .704, Correa’s contract was a big talking point during negotiations.
According to USA Today’s MLB expert Bob Nightengale, the Twins “didn’t eat $50 million” of Correa’s contract, despite the Astros’ insistence on doing so. The Twins did, however, agree to pay $33 million of Correa’s contract, which presumably landed them a stronger return of players and prospects.
The Astros also acquired outfielder Jesus Sanchez from the Miami Marlins in a separate trade. Sanchez, 27, has an OPS+ of 104 in what’s been one of the best years of his professional career.
Related: Chicago Cubs Targeting Last Minute Trade for All-Star
