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As the MLB postseason is set to kick off next week, some teams are already looking ahead to the upcoming free agency period and the big-name shortstops who will be out of a contract, including Houston Astros star Carlos Correa.
For one, Correa is drawing early free agency interest from the Detroit Tigers, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
The Tigers are showing an intrigue in pursuing Correa, while the likes of the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins are all also expected to join the sweepstakes for the Astros star.
Tigers are one team interested in Carlos Correa, whose 7.0 WAR ranks him 3rd in AL. Set himself up nicely. Rangers, Yankees, Twins among others teams likely in an alltime great SS market. In Detroit, there’s an AJ Hinch link.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 1, 2021
As Heyman noted, Detroit has a formidable link to Correa with A.J. Hinch. The Tigers manager most notably spent five seasons with the Astros as their manager until he was let go following the notable sign-stealing scandal last year. Hinch hinted in August that the Tigers plan to be a notable contender in free agency.
On the other hand, the Yankees, Twins and Rangers each currently have notable shortstop dilemmas of their own. Much has been speculated over whether Gleyber Torres is the Yankees' long-term answer at the position. For Minnesota, the team has featured Andrelton Simmons at shortstop this season, although he is slated to become a free agent in the offseason. And finally, the Rangers are still longing for a player capable of mirroring Elvis Andrus' production from during his prime days.
It still remains to be seen on whether Correa will elect to move on from Houston later this year. He did note in August that he aims to win another championship in his “last year” with the Astros.
Many within the Astros sure do not want to see Correa leave the team in the offseason. After Houston clinched the AL West on Thursday, manager Dusty Baker made clear he wants the team to keep Correa. Jose Altuve also added that he still has “hope” the two-time All-Star will stay put in Houston.
As mentioned, Correa is set to join a highly touted shortstop market in free agency later this year that will also include the likes of Corey Seager and Trevor Story.
