Funviralpark Carlos Correa remained in the North Pole on Monday, and his destination was as a fitting gift to an as-yet-unknown recipient.
Neither the Mets nor the All-Star shortstop camp declined to say if the discussion had resumed after the Christmas break on Sunday after concerns arose over Correa’s health last week. An agreement was reached on a 12-year contract worth $315 million, subject to passage.
At issue was Correa’s right ankle injury suffered in the minor leagues, prompting the Giants to terminate a 13-year contract with the shortstop worth $350 million.
There is optimism that a deal could still be completed between Correa and the Mets, with a source putting a 55% chance of the two sides finding common ground on Monday. Among the possibilities is the addition of contractual language that protects the Mets from financial liability should Correa’s chronic illness cause him to be sidelined for an extended period of time. Following a five-year, $110 million contract with JD Martinez, he signed a similar contract clause.
However, there is a belief that Correa, who has a strong desire to play for the Mets, is not open to restructuring the length of his contract or financial terms. But Correa is still trying to close a deal with the Mets.
Correa underwent arthroscopic surgery in 2014 after breaking his right fibula as a minor leaguer and suffering a ligament injury that slid him down to third base. But Correa has dealt with other ailments that have sidelined him in recent seasons, including a back injury that kept him out for a significant amount of time in 2018 and 2019.
The Mets can’t simply target another big bat in the free agent market and those options will evaporate. And what leverage will Correa have in negotiations? The Twins (who acquired him last season) are embarrassed to offer Correa a $285 million, 10-year deal. I didn’t mind, but it was before his two flagged physicals.
Stakeholders in this postponement include Eduardo Escobar and Luis Guerume, either or both of whom could be traded if Correa’s deal with the Mets goes through. Correa played third base for the team, while friend Francisco Lindor remained shortstop.
If Correa isn’t signed, the Mets could try a deal with the Red Sox for Rafael Devers, but that’s not a favorable course for an organization looking to retain prospects and build a formidable farming system.
Correa, 28, wasn’t on the Mets’ radar until late in free agency. Team owner Steve Cohen told The Post’s Jon Heyman that the Mets need another bat after adding Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, Jose Quintana, David Robertson and Adam Ottavino. rice field. In 2023, his salary topped the plateau of $350 million (that doesn’t include an additional $75 million in fines for exceeding the luxury tax cap). After the Giants delayed reaching a final agreement as a result of Correa’s health check, Boras called Cohen while on vacation in Hawaii to sign a late-night deal.
