The question of where free agent shortstop Carlos Correa will sign is one of the biggest mysteries of the MLB offseason. It has provided plenty of intrigue before baseball's world ground to a halt with the work stoppage (though he's still creating news by recently announcing that his new agent is Scott Boras).
But the game will come back—eventually—so let's start thinking again about where one of the best shortstops in the game will land.
Correa is no doubt looking for, and going to land, a $300+ million mega-deal, which certainly limits the number of teams in the running to sign him. Additionally, squads like the Texas Rangers with Corey Seager and Detroit Tigers with Javier Baez have already addressed their infield needs.
So what teams are left with pockets deep enough to sign Correa?
Five possible destinations for Carlos Correa
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
You can't possibly predict where the most coveted and expensive free agent on the market will go without mentioning the Dodgers. Even with Trea Turner at shortstop, and even with Correa's infamous role in the sign-stealing scandal with the Houston Astros in 2017, LA will still likely kick the tires. After all, Turner has played second base before and the recently re-signed Chris Taylor can essentially play anywhere. Oh, and there's Gavin Lux in the mix too.
The Dodgers have so much talent across the board, it's not even clear how much they'd really want to pursue Correa or if they even really need him at what will certainly be an incredible cost. LA will spend boatloads of money, sure, but the organization is primarily built on developing young talent within the system and making as many smart signings and moves as possible, which has worked to great results to this point (Trevor Bauer aside).
Correa feels like something of a risk the Dodgers just might not ultimately feel like taking.
4. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners were one of the more active teams before the lockout, signing Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and trading for second baseman Adam Frazier. Seattle just missed making the MLB Playoffs in 2021 and looks to be on the cusp of contention. Signing Correa would be a big step towards making that happen, especially within one of the most loaded divisions in baseball.
The Mariners have made big splashes for free agent infielders before. In December 2013, Seattle signed second baseman Robinson Cano to a 10-year, $240 million deal, which was a complete and utter disaster until the team traded him to the New York Mets in 2018 along with Edwin Diaz. That deal ended up bringing outfielder Jarred Kelenic and pitcher Justin Dunn to Seattle.
It's doubtful the Mariners are going to be shy about a deal just because of the past, but it's worth mentioning. Seattle hasn't been to the MLB Playoffs in more than 20 years and they really do not want to mess up a rebuild that finally looks promising.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have been described as a sleeper team to sign Carlos Correa, but it just seems hard to believe they'd do it in spite of their pressing need at shortstop (Didi Gregorius, 31, is still signed through this season as well).
Money might hardly be an object for Philadelphia, but when you consider Bryce Harper's huge contract, that would still be a lot of money tied up in two players. Plus, the Phillies would likely be best served shoring up the pitching staff if they want to finally make the MLB Playoffs for the first time since 2011.
2. Houston Astros
If Correa ends up back with the Astros, it will be for significantly less than he wanted on the open market. He turned down a five-year, $160 million extension from the team last year, which was really just for Houston to get a compensatory pick for eventually losing Correa in free agency. But sure, the Astros would certainly take Correa at that price.
The biggest issue for a player like Correa will be how much time he has to sign somewhere after the lockout ends. Every team will be sorting through the wreckage of the lockout and a new collective bargaining agreement, and there may be even fewer teams ready to spend big money right out of the gate and yet so close to spring training and the actual 2022 season.
1. New York Yankees
This is the likeliest destination for Correa—again, despite his involvement in the 2017 scandal and what Yankees fans are going to think about it. New York has the money to spend, of course, but the Yankees do have a legitimate hole at shortstop. From 2020-21, Gleyber Torres, the team's primary shortstop, has hit .256/.337/.366 with 12 home runs, 30 doubles, 15 stolen bases, 67 RBIs, and a 100 wRC+ in 595 at-bats.
If the Yankees sign Carlos Correa, they can easily move around the pieces of their infield, with Torres playing second base and even DJ LeMahieu playing first base—especially if New York moves on from Luke Voit or can no longer sign Anthony Rizzo.
Believer it or not, though, the Yankees are trying to actually manage their payroll these days to avoid as much of the luxury tax penalty as possible. With gargantuan contracts already on the books for Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole and ones seemingly on the way for Aaron Judge and Joey Gallo, will the Yankees opt to bring in yet another one that could hamper their flexibility for years to come?
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