Carlos Correa, Brooks Lee, and the Twins’ Defensive Future

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota's superstar shortstop has missed time in each of the last two seasons due to plantar fasciitis. Does his recurring injury point to the Twins needing to make a long-term defensive switch?

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Everything was going great for Carlos Correa during the first half of the 2024 season. He had recovered from the plantar fasciitis that plagued him during the previous year, and hit .308/.377/.520 with 16 doubles and 13 home runs. Correa was named to the AL All-Star team for the first time in a Twins uniform, and he'd helped the Twins fight back from a disastrous start to the season to put the team into playoff contention. It might have been the high point of his Twins' tenure--and then, that blasted foot thing happened again.

The Twins placed Correa on the injured list coming out of the All-Star break for treatment of plantar fasciitis in his right foot, the opposite of the one that flared up in 2023. At the time, it was seen as precautionary rest--the kind he didn’t get last season. The Twins and Correa spoke optimistically about him returning quickly to help the team in the second half. Unfortunately, the injury took longer than expected, including a new treatment that Correa called “painful to the point it would bring tears to my eyes.” After a two-month stint on the IL, he returned to the Twins, but he's clearly playing at something less than 100% health.

Over the last two seasons, age and his growing injury history have changed Correa’s long-term defensive outlook. He continues to provide value at shortstop, with an overall Outs Above Average rating and Arm Strength that each rank in the 80th percentile or higher. One of the reasons the Twins were willing to sign Correa to a lucrative long-term deal was because of the value he provides on both sides of the ball. Few guys can play one of baseball’s most demanding positions throughout their careers. It might be time for the Twins to start considering whether a position switch is in the best long-term interest of Correa and his health. 

One of the most common positional switches for shortstops is to move to third base. Correa was willing to move to third base with the Mets, before New York backed out of their deal due to concerns over his injury-repaired ankle. The Twins could consider moving Correa to third, but that position might inflict of the same wear and tear, because of how baseball teams now position third basemen and what they ask of those players in terms of range. His plantar fasciitis may continue to flare up at the hot corner, and the club might need to consider other options. 

Another potential option is to move Correa to first base, a position with demonstrably lighter defensive responsibilities. Minnesota has seen firsthand how valuable first base defense can be this year, with Carlos Santana expected to win the AL Gold Glove. An argument can be made that the Twins should bring back Santana next season, because of what he has provided to the club. However, the Twins have shown a propensity to add veteran position players for one year and let them walk for the following season (e.g., Michael A. Taylor, Donovan Solano, and Gio Urshela). Given that the team also faces severe financial constraints this winter, first figures to be open.

It seems unlikely Correa would want to move to first base, but it might be in the best long-term interest of his health. Hall of Fame shortstop Ernie Banks extended his career and ensured his own longevity with a mid-career move to first base. Correa, a student of the game well aware of the unforgiving aging curve of the modern game, might find that example instructive.

So, who would be the replacement for Correa at shortstop? Brooks Lee is the natural choice, since he has primarily played shortstop throughout his collegiate and professional career. His defense at shortstop is worse than Correa's, but he is younger and has a high baseball IQ. Fielding Run Value and Outs Above Average currently peg him as roughly average there, but the sample is tiny. He has shown some flaws at the position, and his defensive shortcomings might be more evident over a 162-game season. On the other hand, he's looked great going to his right, and made some impressive plays. 

The Twins have Correa under team control for at least four more seasons, and a defensive switch has to be on the table at some point. If his feet keep bothering him, Correa must be open to moving to a less demanding defensive position. The Twins have a viable alternative to him, si next spring could be the right time for that shift.

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Do the Twins need to consider a switch with Correa for next season? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[Karbo]

One thing that has been plain to see is that Castro is not the answer at short. He is fine as a spot starter there, but not as a regular. I don't know much about the planter issue, but I would think the shoe companies could figure out something to help him. 

[dxpavelka]

I'd be shocked to be sitting here on April 1 of next year and seeing Correa playing anything but SS.  My hope would be Lee at 2B and Royce at 3B and those three guys all playing at least a hundred games together at those spots with Buxton in CF.  I know many are concerned about Lewis' defense at 3B but most of those concerns started to arise when Correa was out.  Just want to see all the pieces in the right places and how it works.  Meanwhile Kiriloff will be on the IL with a hangnail.

[Doctor Gast]

My hope is that with this new treatment & Correa would get better footwear (if he's too stubborn to get over Nike, that he'd get insoles better suited for the abuse at SS), he'll stick at SS. IMO Twins were thinking of moving him to 3B (thus the big desperation of moving Lewis to 2B). But the new treatment gave us a reprieve. Sooner or later Correa will move off SS, it'll be tough to replace him. IMO keep him at SS as long as possible, 1B seems to be a waste of defense but if we can cover 3B better or as good as him, I'd yield.

[terrydactyls]

Plantar fasciitis has been a frequent visitor of mine and it doesn't seem to give a crap if I'm doing nothing or playing hockey.  It just shows up out of the blue.  It shouldn't have any bearing on where Correa plays.  And as for hoping for 100 games a year from players, why not 150 games?  Ohtani just reach the 50 homerun-50 stolen bases mark.  He's played 150 out of 153 games this year.  Don't the Dodgers know about mandatory days off?  The theory that young men in superior physical condition have to have a weekly break from their three-hour a day job is nonsense (insert IMHO here).

[umterp23]

$30+MM for 75% of playing time at best last two years.  Is he valuable for sure, but did other teams dodge the injury bullet and balk at the contract, maybe they knew something we don't.  Could the remedy be the shoes, change of position, let's hope so.  If not, going to be a really expensive contract as he ages.  

I like Lee as he gets more and more comfortable, but I do believe he is a 2nd basemen and SS for short Correa stints

[arby58]

30 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

My hope is that with this new treatment & Correa would get better footwear (if he's too stubborn to get over Nike, that he'd get insoles better suited for the abuse at SS), he'll stick at SS. IMO Twins were thinking of moving him to 3B (thus the big desperation of moving Lewis to 2B). But the new treatment gave us a reprieve. Sooner or later Correa will move off SS, it'll be tough to replace him. IMO keep him at SS as long as possible, 1B seems to be a waste of defense but if we can cover 3B better or as good as him, I'd yield.

I think either Correa or Lewis will eventually end up at first base. They are both tall enough (Lewis is 6'2 and Correa 6'4) to have the wingspan to handle errant throws. It'd be great to have Santana around for mentorship for another year, but I agree the Twins may wish to put money elsewhere (or not at all).

[arby58]

24 minutes ago, umterp23 said:

$30+MM for 75% of playing time at best last two years.  Is he valuable for sure, but did other teams dodge the injury bullet and balk at the contract, maybe they knew something we don't.  Could the remedy be the shoes, change of position, let's hope so.  If not, going to be a really expensive contract as he ages.  

I like Lee as he gets more and more comfortable, but I do believe he is a 2nd basemen and SS for short Correa stints

He has a 3.6 WAR in 79 games. A 4-5 WAR is generally considered All Star level, and he certainly could get to 4 by the end of the year. 

[S Bart]

I strongly believe that some of this "young talent" should be traded for pitchers. The team has Mirandi, Lee, Lewis, Julian, Larnach, Martin, Wallner and a few others (possibly Kiriloff) that could produce assistance. Although, stay away from these pitchers that need rehabs upon entrance.

It's a rainy morning in Boston, but I will be at the game tonight with my Twins' cap and shirt on to cheer on the team.

[TopGunn#22]

There is no doubt a position change is in Correa's future at some time during his contract.  But I think he's our SS next season for sure.  He still makes plays few SS's can make.  Brooks Lee is the obvious           heir-apparent at short, but he will probably be playing 2B next year and SS on days Correa DH's.  

In 2 or 3 years, when a change seems more possible, why not a move to 2B??  One thing Correa has that Ernie Banks didn't is an absolute cannon for an arm.  I'd like to see Correa making the throw from 2B on a double play.  First baseman DO need to make throws on relays, but it seems less and less nowadays.  Correa as a 2B would still be involved in a lot of relay throws.  

Who knows?  Maybe Danny Andrade has a big year next year and barges into the "SS of the Future" discussion, allowing Lee to stay at 2B or move to 3B.  Culpepper may continue to shine and advance more quickly than we anticipate.  He's already turning heads.  Next year for sure, Correa is the primary SS.  Possibly even in 2026.  But 2 years from now, with the way the Twins draft SS's we may have an excellent replacement ready to roll.  

[David Maro]

I don't know what people have been watching.If there is no changes made with the FO or the manager you will not see everyday position players.Every position but 1st base and catcher has had 4 or more players play there.We now have a team of utility players over all.So I would say Castro has lost the label.

Edited September 20, 2024 by David Maro
Wasn't finished

[NYCTK]

57 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

Plantar fasciitis has been a frequent visitor of mine and it doesn't seem to give a crap if I'm doing nothing or playing hockey.  It just shows up out of the blue.  It shouldn't have any bearing on where Correa plays.  And as for hoping for 100 games a year from players, why not 150 games?  Ohtani just reach the 50 homerun-50 stolen bases mark.  He's played 150 out of 153 games this year.  Don't the Dodgers know about mandatory days off?  The theory that young men in superior physical condition have to have a weekly break from their three-hour a day job is nonsense (insert IMHO here).

Ironically, I went to a game this year only because Ohtani was in town. 

He sat. 😭

[Riverbrian]

I've stated often times that I don't have any problem moving players to other positions if it helps put the best lineup on the lineup card.  

However... Correa... He's fantastic at SS, perhaps the most important defensive position. He stays at SS.

Other players capable of playing SS move to other positions so Correa stays at SS. Putting the best lineup in the field means... Correa at SS.

If we trade a low level minor league player for Bobby Witt because Kansas City wanted to... Bobby Witt moves to a different position or positions to accommodate. 

   

 

[saviking]

59 minutes ago, umterp23 said:

$30+MM for 75% of playing time at best last two years.  Is he valuable for sure, but did other teams dodge the injury bullet and balk at the contract, maybe they knew something we don't.  Could the remedy be the shoes, change of position, let's hope so.  If not, going to be a really expensive contract as he ages.  

I like Lee as he gets more and more comfortable, but I do believe he is a 2nd basemen and SS for short Correa stints

And his salary is going UP next year not down. 

[tedk]

Why wasn't Lewis brought up as a possible replacement at shortstop? If I remember correctly, he was moved to third Base to allow Correa to play SS.  

[DJL44]

I think there is a possibility that Correa requests a trade this off season and the Twins accommodate him. The Giants (for example) would be happy to take the next 4 years of Correa's contract.

[NYCTK]

39 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I've stated often times that I don't have any problem moving players to other positions if it helps put the best lineup on the lineup card.  

However... Correa... He's fantastic at SS, perhaps the most important defensive position. He stays at SS.

Other players capable of playing SS move to other positions so Correa stays at SS. Putting the best lineup in the field means... Correa at SS.

If we trade a low level minor league player for Bobby Witt because Kansas City wanted to... Bobby Witt moves to a different position or positions to accommodate. 

   

 

This would be incredibly stupid. Bobby is better on the position by far and way younger. 

[LambchoP]

We have Correa for at least four more years and he needs to be our shortstop. That is where he provides the most value. Your highest paid players on the team need to play those premium positions. Castro is not a SS. Lee has looked ok there and will probably be the backup. I think our best infield alignment is Lee at 2nd Correa at SS and Lewis at 3rd. As far as 1st base goes, of Miranda can find his power again, maybe he can stick there along with Julien, again, if he can learn to hit. Ideally I'd love to see them go out and get a true power hitting first baseman, but any money we may have has to go to pitching. Maybe try to trade some of these infielders for pitching help too 

[NYCTK]

39 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I think there is a possibility that Correa requests a trade this off season and the Twins accommodate him. The Giants (for example) would be happy to take the next 4 years of Correa's contract.

If I were the Twins, I would trade him in a heartbeat. But what team is looking to add $133M over 4 years to their books? The Giants would NOT be happy to take him. 

The ONLY teams I can imagine doing something like this would be the Braves or the Yankees (moving him to 3rd). 

[DJL44]

8 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

But what team is looking to add $133M over 4 years to their books?

At least ten will this offseason.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, TopGunn#22 said:

There is no doubt a position change is in Correa's future at some time during his contract.  But I think he's our SS next season for sure.  He still makes plays few SS's can make.  Brooks Lee is the obvious           heir-apparent at short, but he will probably be playing 2B next year and SS on days Correa DH's.  

In 2 or 3 years, when a change seems more possible, why not a move to 2B??  One thing Correa has that Ernie Banks didn't is an absolute cannon for an arm.  I'd like to see Correa making the throw from 2B on a double play.  First baseman DO need to make throws on relays, but it seems less and less nowadays.  Correa as a 2B would still be involved in a lot of relay throws.  

Who knows?  Maybe Danny Andrade has a big year next year and barges into the "SS of the Future" discussion, allowing Lee to stay at 2B or move to 3B.  Culpepper may continue to shine and advance more quickly than we anticipate.  He's already turning heads.  Next year for sure, Correa is the primary SS.  Possibly even in 2026.  But 2 years from now, with the way the Twins draft SS's we may have an excellent replacement ready to roll.  

Correa's arm IMO makes him ideal for 3B. But relays from 2B & DPs also makes sense

[Road trip]

Correa at SS, at least for next year and likely beyond.

Plantar fasciitis will be just as much a problem at 1B, and Correa's best defensive attribute is his arm which would largely be wasted at 1B.  

Brooks Lee's glove will play somewhere eventually, if his bat develops.  I actually expect him to start next year in AAA because he looks overmatched by MLB pitching at this point.  280 PA's at AAA apparently wasn't enough, and frankly his .830 OPS at that level doesn't indicate that he had mastered it.

Beyond Lee there are no other alternatives to Correa on the roster I would trust as a full time SS.

[umterp23]

I would think if Correa wants out and a trade is possible, he may be willing to restructure his contract to new said buyer.  Do we believe in Lee enough to move off $30+ MM a year in budget help?  I ask question in jest as I believe ownership wouldn't use the savings the way we would want them to.  

 

[Fatbat]

C4 will likely be at SS in ‘25  but in ‘26 I can see him moving to 3rd.  Lee at SS, Lewis at 1st and Keaschall at 2nd with Culpepper in AAA waiting for the injury call up. 

[David Maro]

There are zero teams lining up to trade for Correa.With his feet not foot issues the team is stuck with him.They now have 2 big hits to the payroll in Correa and Buxton.Both give them a half season or a little more.And don't forget about Lewis who is waiting in the wings for his money.He himself has not shown he can't stay on the field.And on top of that has a manager who is giving him days off regularly.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I've stated often times that I don't have any problem moving players to other positions if it helps put the best lineup on the lineup card.  

However... Correa... He's fantastic at SS, perhaps the most important defensive position. He stays at SS.

Other players capable of playing SS move to other positions so Correa stays at SS. Putting the best lineup in the field means... Correa at SS.

If we trade a low level minor league player for Bobby Witt because Kansas City wanted to... Bobby Witt moves to a different position or positions to accommodate. 

   

 

My favorite plays are watching C4 throw the baseball, Buck run the bases, Wallner hit massive home runs, Vazquez's defense behind the plate and pick offs, Santana's scoops at 1B, Pablo's dogged determination, Ober's stares at the batters, Duran's 102 mph pitches and Jax's SO pitches. Also, I enjoy Corey's excitement, Audra's interesting interviews and Justin's astute observations. 

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, tedk said:

Why wasn't Lewis brought up as a possible replacement at shortstop? If I remember correctly, he was moved to third Base to allow Correa to play SS.  

Because he’s already hurt 65% of the time - doesn’t need a position that demands more range and physical challenges.

[Reptevia]

“Given that the team also faces severe financial constraints this winter, first figures to be open.”  You’re referring to a TV deal?  Pretty sure they’ve known about this for over a year. To use that as an excuse to cut another $30M or not spend beyond this year’s payroll is BS. 

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, tedk said:

Why wasn't Lewis brought up as a possible replacement at shortstop? If I remember correctly, he was moved to third Base to allow Correa to play SS.  

Because Lewis is already hurt 65% of the time - doesn’t need a position that demands more range and physical challenges.

Correa is the best offensive player through the year at this point. Removing him via trade would be a bit crazy, since the fan reaction would be to go sign some FA slugger to help the offense……..”why doesn’t ownership spend?!?!?!”

Having Lee move to SS is premature since Correa has to remedy the foot problems no matter where he’s positioned. Also, Lee has done almost nothing to prove he is a competent hitter at the MLB level. I hope he proves his early results were a fluke but right now he looks weak & overmatched. He’s only played a portion of the season due to his own injuries - fatigue shouldn’t be an issue, at least not physical fatigue. To me, he looks really rough at the plate!!!

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, umterp23 said:

I would think if Correa wants out and a trade is possible, he may be willing to restructure his contract to new said buyer.  Do we believe in Lee enough to move off $30+ MM a year in budget help?  I ask question in jest as I believe ownership wouldn't use the savings the way we would want them to.  

 

Team doesn’t need a SS with .300 points less OPS either………Lee isn’t ready at the plate in ‘24.