Sep 20, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4) bats against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets made a shocking move, stealing Carlos Correa from the Giants and adding a huge bat to their already-stacked lineup.
Correa was supposed to be a member of the San Francisco Giants but they hesitated after something showed up in his physical, opening the door for the Mets to swoop in and steal him on a 12-year, $315 million contract. It’s a development we could be talking about for years and a move that could change the power structure of the NL.
As Tim Boyle noted at Rising Apple, “The Mets have landed the bat they’ve needed all winter. Correa might tip this offseason into become [sic] the best the organization has ever had. ”
What could the New York Mets lineup look like around Carlos Correa next season?
- Brandon Nimmo — CF
- Starling Marte — RF
- Francisco Lindor — SS
- Pete Alonzo — 1B
- Carlos Correa — SS
- Jeff McNeil — 2B
- Mark Canha — LF
- Daniel Vogelbach — DH
- Omar Narvaez — C
Correa adds a big and versatile offensive presence to the lineup and help juice an offense that was already one of MLB’s best last season. As Boyle pointed out, having him take over 3B also gives the Mets additional trade options and more flexibility at DH to tinker with different possibilities.
“What Correa does do is make Eduardo Escobar expendable via trade and puts a lot less pressure on youngsters Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty. If the Mets have faith in any of those bats, they could even get regular action as the DH. Escobar, in particular, could be a fit for at-bats there. His flexible history of playing third base and second base might be tempting enough to keep him around. A full year in Triple-A for Baty could be in order before the club decides on his fate.”
We still have a few months before Spring Training opens but right now the Mets might have made themselves the team to beat next season.