Correa reflects on turbulent free agency as Twins host Giants

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carlos Correa's eventful offseason included a period where the free agent shortstop agreed to a deal with the San Francisco Giants. But an ankle issue led to a failed physical, and the deal with the Giants fell apart.

Correa ended up re-signing with Minnesota on a six-year guaranteed deal, much shorter than the 13 years he would have signed for with the Giants. On Monday, Correa faced off against the team he nearly joined in the offseason as San Francisco opened a three-game series at Target Field against Correa and the Twins.

“I’m the type of guy that turns the page pretty easily," Correa said Monday. “When that didn’t get done, then we moved on from that. We go play this game like any other game and any other series, just try to win the series.”

Correa said he had good conversations with many players and personnel in the Giants organization before the deal fell apart. That included manager Gabe Kapler, who was asked Monday about Correa.

“I think it was one of the reasons that we were trying so hard to sign him, because from a character perspective, from a work ethic perspective, the teammate that he has been in his career, it's really elite,” Kapler said. “I think Carlos is going to get the best out of his ability. We obviously wish him a ton of success. Hopefully that happens after we leave town."

Asked Monday if he was surprised his ankle caused him to fail the physical, Correa said he was “very shocked.” He became the second big-time free agent the Giants courted in the offseason to sign elsewhere, as slugger Aaron Judge stayed with the Yankees.

In his first season with the Twins last year, Correa hit .291 with 22 homers and 64 RBI in 136 games. He's been off to a slow start offensively in 2023, hitting just .206 with six homers in 43 games.

But as he reflected on his turbulent offseason, Correa reiterated he's glad to be back with Minnesota.

“Now that I’m in a stage with my son that I’m enjoying every single thing that he does now, it makes me really happy,” Correa said. “It just makes me realize that I might not have wanted to play all the 13 years, because at some point I want to be a full-time father and I want to be present for my kid. Looking back at it now, me and my wife, we think it worked out for the best. Now I can make the decision after six years if I want to keep playing or not. ”

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports