Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Carlos Correa, a World Series champion and Rookie of the Year with Houston, is headed back to the Astros in a blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Twins at Major League Baseball’s trade deadline on Thursday. The Astros confirmed Correa was headed back to Houston, with media reports saying he had agreed to play third base.
Correa, who waived his no-trade clause, told MLB.com that he and the Twins had agreed it was time for him to move on. “I had some conversations with the front office in Minnesota and we were not moving (the direction) I thought we were after making the playoffs (in 2023),” Correa told the website. “And they agreed with me that it was time to move me. I let them know there was only one team I would allow that to happen… I’m coming home and there’s only one goal in mind and that’s to win championships.”
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Puerto Rico’s Correa was the American League Rookie of the Year with the Astros in 2015 and won a World Series title in 2017. Correa inked a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins in March 2022. He opted out of the final two seasons but after failing to make a move as a free agent, re-signed with Minnesota. USA Today reported the Twins will send $33 million to help cover his remaining contract.
Correa, 30, has had an inconsistent offensive season with seven home runs in 93 games. A three-time All-Star as a shortstop, Correa said he had been wanting to make the switch to third base “for the past couple of years.” That move will be key for the Astros with third baseman Isaac Paredes dealing with a right hamstring injury.
In other major moves before the trade deadline, the San Diego Padres acquired right-handed pitcher Mason Miller from the Athletics. Miller boasts the fastest pitches in the major leagues and reports indicate the Padres might transition him from a reliever back to the starting ranks. The Seattle Mariners bolstered their offense with the acquisition of slugger Eugenio Suarez from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Suarez has 36 home runs in 106 games and returns to Seattle where he played in 2022 and 2023.
© 2024 AFP
