Free agency is back in MLB following the 99-day lockout and although things were quiet Thursday night the rumors have certainly picked up Friday morning. For Cubs fans that means getting a taste of more Carlos Correa reports and boy is this one juicy.
According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the Cubs are among the favorites to sign Correa.
Source: The #Cubs, who engaged with Carlos Correa in negotiations before the lockout began, are among the favorites to sign him as the market reopens. @MLBNetwork @MLB https://t.co/rmnpEZcJYC
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 11, 2022
As tantalizing as that overview seems from Morosi on the prospect of the Cubs signing Correa I will have to reign in some of the optimism because this story mainly stems from the interest prior to the lockout and the expectation that the Cubs will continue to pursue the top free agent.
Here’s what Morosi wrote about Correa and the Cubs.
Perhaps most intriguingly, the Chicago Cubs are poised to play a major role in the courtship of Correa as the baseball industry bursts back to life. The Cubs were among the teams that had the heaviest dialogue with Correa’s camp in the hours before the lockout began in early December, and there is every reason to believe those conversations will resume. While the Cubs weren’t a popular pick to land the superstar shortstop last fall, there’s a logical fit between the parties.
So two things: we’ve seen several reports saying that the Cubs were talking with Correa’s camp prior to the lockout and this once again confirms that and secondly Morosi is probably taking an informed guess here that those discussions will continue now.
Correa, who turned 27-years-old last September, reportedly turned down a 10-year, $275 million contract from the Tigers prior to the start of the lockout. According to this story, there were three opt-outs included in that proposal. However, by now we know that Correa is seeking to top Corey Seager’s deal with the Rangers that came in at 10 years and $325 million.
There have been rumors about Correa potentially asking for more money than Francisco Lindor, who signed a 10-year, $341 million contract with the Mets.
While the Cubs have been reportedly in the mix for Correa according to the national media, Chicago’s Bruce Levine has also tempered expectations. Last night on the Marquee Sports Network, Levine did talk about a potential Correa signing with the Cubs, but he still doesn’t think a 10-year deal will happen.
Bruce Levine reiterates on The Score that he's not so sure the Cubs are ready to make Carlos Correa a 10-year offer. But that interest before the lockout (on a shorter deal) was at least real at the time.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) March 11, 2022
So, interest pre-lockout was real from the Cubs and according to Morosi this morning, Jed Hoyer will keep that dialogue open with Correa.
At first glance you’d think there’s no shot this happens, especially with the inactivity we’ve seen the prior three years from the team, but here’s a reminder that the Cubs do not have much money committed to future payrolls.
The #Cubs have $22.5 million committed to their 2024 payroll, assuming they'll pick up Kyle Hendricks club option.
If they don't pick it up, they've got just $8M committed. Eight. Million.
Go buy some players.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) December 1, 2021
They should absolutely be in the market for Correa and by the looks of things, they are.
And minutes after Morosi shared his report, ESPN’s Buster Olney added to the frenzy.
Buster Olney just now on ESPN: “watch out for the Chicago Cubs on Carlos Correa”
— WhenClarkMetAddison (@ClarkMetAddison) March 11, 2022
Ahhhhhh! Rumor szn is back!
But also, maybe this means that Scott Boras is out here pumping up the Cubs’ tires in order to get other teams interested in Correa to increase their offers…
We shall see.
