San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi explained why the Carlos Correa deal fell through.
Although the San Francisco Giants missed out on bringing in outfielder Aaron Judge, the team seemingly got one of the top shortstops available in free agency in Carlos Correa. In what was reported to be a massive 13-year, $350 million contract to make Correa their face of the franchise. But then, the deal fell through after the Giants became concerned with the results of Correa’s physical. That resulted in Correa and agent Scott Boras negotiating a deal with the New York Mets, which is also up in the air.
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has been under scrutiny for how the offseason played out for the team, with most of it pointed towards the failed Correa contract. Zaidi met with the media on Dec. 30 and discussed how the Correa deal fell through.
Farhan Zaidi explains the Carlos Correa contract/physical drama
“I was on the phone with Scott Boras on the Monday that we did Carlos’ physical right when his plane landed in San Francisco at 5 p.m. and those conversations continued from that point,” Zaidi said, h/t SNY. “As soon as we had information we shared it.”
Zaidi also brought up that he did talk with Boras with Correa’s deal held up by the Mets, but said that fans shouldn’t expect the the shortstop and the Giants to make another deal.
“We’ve had some conversations since then, but our understanding is they’re focused on a deal elsewhere at this point. I think the chances of a deal with us at this point are pretty unlikely based on their position.”
Reports have circulated that the Giants were concerned with an ankle injury Correa suffered back in 2014. While in the minor leagues, Correa suffered a fractured fibula and minor ligament damage. The Mets also have similar concerns with the injury, hence why they have not finalized their deal with Correa.
While Zaidi and the Giants didn’t get either Judge or Correa, they did make additions. They signed former Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger to a three-year, $43.5 million contract. After the Correa deal fell through, the Giants signed Boras client and former New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto to a two-year, $36 million contract. The team added to their starting rotation after Carlos Rodon left for the New York Yankees, signing Sean Manaea to a two-year, $25 million contract.
With Correa to the Mets currently on pause, Zaidi told Giants fans not to expect the team to jump back into the sweepstakes.