Correa, the shortstop with the best contract

In the season of disbursement of millions of dollars for players, the San Francisco Giants ambitiously opened the wallet.

Carlos Correa found a long-term home. The shortstop agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract with the Giants, the largest in team history, the most money ever committed to a player at that position, and the most any team has ever paid for a shortstop. free agent.

In MLB history, only Mike Trout ($426.5 million), Mookie Betts ($365 million) and Aaron Judge (360 million) have more money guaranteed in a contract.

Correa, currently 28, will be 41 when the deal ends. The Dominican took advantage of last year’s free agency and it paid off. Not finding a long-term deal to his liking, he surprised by accepting a three-year, $105 million offer from the Minnesota Twins that allowed him to opt out this winter and join Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson. Correa, meanwhile, posted another solid season: He hit .291 with 22 home runs in 136 games, the best among shortstop stars on the market, and earned rave reviews for the winning approach he brought to the Twins organization.

“He has the highest standard of excellence. You can’t expect more from yourself and your party than him. And he infects everyone. He even sticks to me,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said.

Correa becomes the face of the Giants, who have been searching for a star since Buster Posey retired in 2021.

The Giants had a starting shortstop in Brandon Crawford and he’ll be 36 on Opening Day. The arrival of Correa, a franchise player in a privileged position for years to come, makes sense.

deportes@eleconomista.mx