Carlos Correa has a billion reasons to be bitter, but he has come to view his past contract turmoil as a blessing.
Correa lost out on $300 million-plus contracts with the Giants and Mets due to concerns over past ankle injuries, and he ended up signing a six-year, $200 million contract with the Twins in 2023 (with an option to exercise four more years).
Still, Correa is batting .305 with 11 homers and an .883 OPS, and is on pace to post his best showing of the season with Minnesota.
In an interview with USA TodayCorrea spoke glowingly about the Twins situation.
“This is the best thing that has happened to me and my family,” Correa said. “I don’t know what it was like elsewhere, but this is a great place with a great family atmosphere and great caring people around. I’ve grown to feel comfortable and love the people here.”
He also believed that if he had no guaranteed money remaining on his contract, it would be easier to retire if he wanted to.
“I think a six-year contract and option is much better than 13 years because kids grow up so quickly and they need a lot of attention,” Correa continued. “At some point you have to make the difficult decision of, ‘Do I want to continue or do I want to be with my family?’ So the structure of this contract is much easier than a 13-year or 12-year contract. This is definitely the best thing for me and my family.”
Those comments echo sentiments Correa expressed to The Washington Post’s Jon Heyman during spring training earlier this year.
“I’m a simple person. I’m a calm person,” Correa told The Post in March. “I don’t hold grudges. That’s the nature of sport, that’s the nature of business. You have to move forward. You can’t let it consume you. I have two kids now and I have to set a good example. I’m very happy with the life God has given me so far and where he has put me.”
