ESPN: To “Cement” the World Series, the Yankees trade for a $200 million all-star shortstop.

ESPN: To “Cement” the World Series, the Yankees trade for a $200 million all-star shortstop.

Why I can now wholeheartedly cheer for Carlos Correa - Twinkie Town

The New York Yankees lost an offensive power that will be hard to replace when the New York Mets made Juan Soto the most paid athlete in sports history. Soto had the sixth-best Wins Above Replacement (WAR) total in the Major Leagues with 7.9. Second place went to his.989 OPS (on base plus slugging percentage). His total of 41 home runs placed him third.

So far, the Yankees have made a pathetic attempt to replace Soto. The Yankees have instead concentrated mostly on improving their pitching staff. The one significant offensive move they have made this offseason is the deal with the Chicago Cubs to acquire Cody Bellinger, an outfielder/first baseman who finished the previous season with 18 home runs, 2.2 WAR, and.751 OPS. Not quite Soto-caliber output.

A well-known Yankees podcast now calls on the organization to acquire a player who led the Major Leagues in WAR in his most recent totally healthy season in an attempt to both make up for the loss of Soto’s offense and just add another player of All Star level.

Twins shortstop Carlos Correa is being targeted by the Yankees.
That was his 7.2 in 2021, but when he was benched on July 13 due to a heel injury in 2024, Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa was, in the words of Twins Daily, “having one of the best seasons of his career… on a scorching midsummer heater.”

Carlos Correa Agrees to $105.3 Million Contract With Twins - The New York  Times

However, Correa’s condition turned out to be considerably worse: plantar fasciitis, a severe foot ailment.After his comeback on September 14, Correa batted in 11 more games.325 with 13 hits in 40 at-bats the remainder of the way.

Last week, Fireside Yankees co-hosts Ryan Garcia and Alex Wilson urged the Yankees to acquire Correa from the Twins, citing his continued progress toward full health.

“Carlos Correa is what we desire. Garcia stated in a podcast on December 26 that the Twins are still open if they are at least paying attention to discussions. “This guy is a monster in the regular season and in the playoffs.”

Wilson said, “With a move like that, you’ve punched your ticket to the World Series.” “Be careful—that’s a ‘American League. That kind of “you are on notice” action. The Yankees would have such a well-rounded lineup if they were to get Carlos Correa. They would leave as a stronger squad in the end.

However, they admitted that “the financial hurdle and prospect haul could be a ton” in a post on their X (previously Twitter) account, but they also stated that “this move would cement the Yankees as legitimate World Series contenders.”

Carlos Correa trade rumors: Astros SS could be 'odd man out' as club looks  to cut payroll | Sporting News

In New York, Correa remains a villain due to the Astros scandal.
The Twins were 19th in MLB in 2024 with a total salary of $129,080,051. Correa used up 26% of the compensation after only two years of a $200 million, six-year contract. Of course, cutting Correa’s contract would be a top priority if the Twins intend to keep their payroll low to medium.

However, not all Yankee fans supported the idea of wearing pinstripes on Correa. Correa’s apparent prominent participation in the Houston Astros 2017 sign-stealing controversy, while he was a member of that team, appears to be the primary cause. That season, the Astros won the World Series after defeating the Yankees 4-3 in the American League Championship Series. Some players and Yankee supporters still harbor animosity against that incident.

“Correa isn’t just costly; he’s $200 million over four years. The site Bleeding Yankee Blue stated, “That’s the kind of money you drop on an MVP bat, not a guy who might spend his first month in pinstripes dodging boos louder than the subway at rush hour.” “He’s talented, no doubt, but we have more important things to do.”

 

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