2 min read • December 25, 2022
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In the latest twist to the Carlos Correa saga, the New York Mets reportedly have concerns with the star shortstop’s physical – likely stemming from an ankle fracture in 2014.
After Correa’s ankle fracture, when he was in the Astros minor league system, he had screws and a plate inserted before returning to AA in April 2014. Correa made his Astros debut on June 8, 2015 and has not landed back on the injured list for any right leg issues.
Given the ligament damage associated with the fracture, it’s possible Correa’s physical showed early signs of ankle joint arthritis, according to the Pro Baseball Docs. That would likely relegate him to a designated hitter role toward the latter end of any 10+ year deal.
Last Sept. 20, Correa said he felt the plate get hit on a tag when he slid into second base.
“Just kind of felt numb, vibrating. So I was just waiting for it to calm down,” Correa told reporters at the time. “It was a little scary, but when I moved I knew I was good.”
If teams have an issue with the plate remaining in his leg, it is a simple surgery to remove the plate and would not negatively affect Correa or his longevity, according to the Pro Baseball Docs.
Correa reportedly agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract with the Mets less than 24 hours after the San Francisco Giants postponed his introductory press conference.
The former Astro had agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract with San Francisco until an issue popped up in his physical with that club.
The Twins, who offered Correa a 10-year, $285 million deal, also reportedly “pressed pause” on negotiating a contract after the Giants flagged medical concerns and Minnesota has not been able to “thoroughly examine” him since March.
Correa has a lengthy history of lower back issues, as we detailed here, but it’s unlikely there’s anything structural that would give teams pause on a physical.
Correa played in 294 games from 2017 through 2019 – 60.5% of the games in that span – but has played in 342 of 384 games since 2020.
The 2021 gold glover would reportedly move to third base if the signing with the Mets goes through. He has played just one career game at third base, while in AA in 2015.
Through 8 seasons, Correa is a career .279 hitter with 155 home runs, 553 runs batted in and 33 stolen bases.
It’s unclear where negotiations stand at this point, but he could sign on a shorter deal if concerns with the long-term health of his ankle don’t subside.
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