Carlos Correa FINALLY ends his long contract saga by passing his physical with the Twins

Carlos Correa’s off-season contract odyssey has finally ended after the Minnesota Twins officially announced the All-Star shortstop’s return on Wednesday. 

Earlier in the day, Correa improved his average to .333 on off-season physicals as Twins doctors gave the ‘OK’ to finalize his reported six-year, $200 million deal with the club. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman first reported that Correa passed his physical.

Although Correa did not technically fail his team physicals with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, concerns over his surgically repaired leg led both clubs to back out of nine-figure agreements with the two-time All-Star. The Mets were reportedly interested in working out a compromise with Correa, who ultimately decided to return to Minnesota.

The Mets released their own statement Wednesday, wishing Correa ‘the best’: ‘We were unable to reach an agreement.’ 

Carlos Correa improved his average to .333 on off-season physicals this week as the Minnesota Twins doctors cleared him to finalize his reported six-year, $200 million deal

ESPN was the first to report Correa’s agreement in Minnesota, which could be worth as much as $270 million due to a vesting option tied to certain benchmarks. 

According to ESPN, Correa’s vesting option becomes official, and would add four years to the deal, if he can pass a medical review beginning Tuesday and concluding on Wednesday. The shortstop had surgery in 2014 to repair a fractured right fibula as well as damage to his ligaments. The Mets and Giants were reportedly concerned about how Correa’s leg would age, prompting both clubs to pull out of their respective agreements. 

Correa played for Minnesota last season, but declined a $35.1 million player option on his contract to test the free agency market this winter. 

Twins spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for confirmation.  

Tuesday morning, Jon Heyman first reported that the Twins’ talks with Correa were ‘gaining steam,’ which may have surprised Mets fans, who believed their team was still working to finalize their 12-year, $315million agreement with the two-time All-Star. 

A similar problem put the kibosh on his 13-year, $350 million deal with the Giants, who abruptly canceled a December 20 press conference with their new shortstop when doctors flagged the results of his physical in San Francisco. 

SNY insider Andy Martino reported last week that the Mets became ‘very frustrated’ during negotiations, and may have considered abandoning negotiations. 

A team source cited by SNY claimed New York was ‘considering walking away altogether.’ Though another source mentioned there is a ‘strong chance’ an accord is reached despite the current difficulties. 

Other teams also expressed interest in the two-time All-Star, according to Heyman, but it appears as though he is going to remain in Minneapolis. 

Correa’s $200 million deal would be the largest in club history, topping home-state hero Joe Mauer’s eight-year, $184 million contract extension from 2010. 

Minnesota appeared ready to hand over the shortstop job to highly touted prospect Royce Lewis, who is coming off a torn ACL in 2022. He is likely to be out until at least June, but there no longer appears to be any urgency on that front now that Correa is returning. 

Correa signed a three-year deal with the Twins before the 2022 campaign, only to opt out of his contract after the season. Since then, two agreements have unraveled over injury concerns

Minnesota appeared ready to hand over the shortstop job to highly touted prospect Royce Lewis (pictured), who is coming off a torn ACL in 2022. He is likely to be out until at least June, but there no longer appears to be any urgency on that front now that Correa is returning 

The good news for the Mets is that the loss of Correa significantly reduces their payroll for 2022.

Billionaire owner Steve Cohen was prepared to spend close to $500 million in player salaries and luxury taxes. Now, without Correa on the books for 2023, that figure will be closer to $444 million, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman.

Of course, that is little consolation to Mets fans, many of whom were looking forward to seeing Correa moving to third base alongside All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor.

Some fans consoled themselves by predicting that two-way Los Angeles Angels sensation Shohei Ohtani will sign in Queens next offseason.

Meanwhile New York Yankees fans poked fun at their crosstown National League rivals, who briefly thought they had stolen the city’s spotlight from Aaron Judge and his decision to return to the Bronx in free agency.

‘I’m old enough to remember when the Mets signing Carlos Correa ‘overshadowed’ Aaron Judge staying home,’ read a tweet from documentary film maker Randy Wilkins.

Newsday’s Laura Albanese joked that she ‘cant’ wait for the Correa tribute video at Citi [Field],’ poking fun at his 0-game tenure with the Mets.

Some fans consoled themselves by predicting that two-way Los Angeles Angels sensation Shohei Ohtani will sign in Queens next offseason

Newsday’s Laura Albanese joked that she ‘cant’ wait for the Correa tribute video at Citi [Field],’ poking fun at his 0-game tenure with the Mets

The Twins haven’t been silent this offseason, adding former Yankees outfielder Joey Gallo and long-time Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vasquez.

The team is also hopeful to get a full season from oft-injured centerfielder Byron Buxton, a 29-year-old who hit 28 home runs in just 92 games in 2022.

The Mets, meanwhile, now have a vacancy at third base, where Correa had been penciled in alongside Lindor. Aging infielder Eduardo Escobar is still under contract, but his on-base percentage dipped below .300 last season, taking much of his value with it.

Another option is promising 23-year-old Brett Baty, who homered twice in 38 at-bats last season.

New York also has 21-year-old Dominican shortstop Ronny Mauricio, who could conceivably be moved to third base.

The Mets, meanwhile, now have a vacancy at third base, where Correa had been penciled in alongside Lindor. Aging infielder Eduardo Escobar is still under contract, but his on-base percentage dipped below .300 last season, taking much of his value with it. Another option is promising 23-year-old Brett Baty, who homered twice in 38 at-bats last season. New York also has 21-year-old Dominican shortstop Ronny Mauricio, who could be moved to third base