MLB Rumors: Carlos Correa Options Dwindling; Revisits Astros Talks

Could Carlos Correa and Scott Boras have overplayed their hand? With Correa's options dwindling, he has now ramped up talks of a potential return to the Houston Astros, on a deal much shorter than the 10 years he was looking for. 

Would Carlos Correa sign a one-year deal?

If he was willing, it would transform the market, @Ken_Rosenthal writes.

More: https://t.co/JvOnWhUb3P pic.twitter.com/KruTCFBfSw

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 14, 2022

While Ken Rosenthal, in The Athletic, wonders if Correa might even accept a one-year deal, fellow insider Buster Olney is hearing about a six-year possibility, with an opt-out after one year. 

Agents have been predicting for weeks that Correa could take a deal in the range of six years with the Astros, at a high salary, with an opt-out after the first year. Mitigates some of the risk for him, and HOU would get a key player back. Crane has no interest in rebuilding.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 14, 2022

The problem for Correa is that his expected potential suitors are going in different directions. The New York Yankees seem to have settled on Isiah Kiner-Falefa as their shortstop for 2022; the Chicago Cubs are out, after signing defensive whiz Andrelton Simmons; and the Los Angeles Dodgers are focusing on giving Freddie Freeman a huge 9-figure contract.

That leaves the one team where Correa still seems to fit best, the Astros. 

Unless, as Rosenthal suggests, he's willing to accept a one-year deal from any team, for an astronomical sum, like $45M, topping the single-season record set earlier this winter by Max Scherzer's $43M. We all know how much Scott Boras likes being No. 1 at something...anything. 

For one year, Rosenthal says "the Yankees, Dodgers and perhaps other clubs might jump, clubhouse concerns be damned. The opportunity to land an elite talent on a one-year deal is the kind of thing that moves front-office executives to tears."

At that point, it's every GM for himself. 

Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports