Carlos Correa likely to be an option for Chicago Cubs again

Although we’re still a month away from the 2022 All-Star break, rumors of the impending Hot Stove have already commenced, and the Chicago Cubs could be involved.

According to a report from ESPN insider Buster Olney, SS Carlos Correa of the Minnesota Twins is likely to opt for free agency after the 2022 season (subscription required).

Correa is on the first year of his three-year, $105 million deal with the Twins, but he has an opt-out clause after each season.

Although his numbers have been underwhelming compared to his .277/.356/.481 slash line in seven seasons with the Houston Astros, Correa will no doubt command a huge market and land a new hefty, potentially long-term deal should he opt for free agency again. He’ll turn 28 just before the end of the 2022 campaign.

Sources said that the Chicago Cubs offered Correa a 7-year deal during the offseason, but the actual offer never reached Correa and his agent as he had just changed representation to Scott Boras.

Regardless of whether or not the representation issue is correct, it’s likely that the Cubs will again pursue Correa after the season. While it remains to be seen just how serious the Cubs will be about signing him, they’ll no doubt at least kick the tires to gauge interest between the two sides.

According to ESPN insider Buster Olney, SS Carlos Correa will likely opt out after one year with the Minnesota Twins. It’s likely that he’ll again be a target for the Chicago Cubs.

If the Cubs do decide to sign Correa, they’ll have some other decisions to make in regards to the overall shape of the roster.

SS Nico Hoerner has been playing quite respectably in his 29 games this season prior to a freak injury when he collided with umpire Dan Iassogna on May 12. Though the recovery timeframe is uncertain, Hoerner’s X-rays came back negative. He was diagnosed with an ankle sprain.

Though Hoerner has spent an equal amount of time at second base as he has at shortstop (68 games each), the Cubs 2B position already seems to be set between David Bote and Nick Madrigal.

Bote has yet to play this season, as he had surgery to repair his shoulder over the offseason. He’s likely to begin a rehab assignment soon and will hopefully join the team in June barring any setbacks.

It’s possible that the Cubs could deal one of Hoerner or Bote to make room for Correa while keeping the other to remain at second. The addition of a player like Correa could justify trading a young player with less experience.

But it also could make more sense for the Cubs to pass on Correa, save the money and build around young players like Bote and Hoerner while saving the money for pitching and outfield depth.

The Cubs also have young second baseman Nick Madrigal, who has gotten the nod in 23 games for the Cubs. He’s currently on the IL with lower back tightness.

A lot could happen between now and then, but it seems that the Correa will at least be a point of interest from the Cubs should he opt for free agency this season.