How the Twins Can Still Save the Carlos Correa Trade

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Coming out of the Winter Meetings, the Twins find themselves circling back to a familiar need. The team's offense struggled down the stretch and remains the most obvious place to upgrade a roster that is trying to stay afloat while reshaping its long-term direction.

Earlier this week, the Twins signed Josh Bell to a one-year, $7 million deal that comes with ramifications for the current roster. Minnesota could let him be the team's everyday first baseman, but he has been a poor defender for most of his career. To field the best lineup, Bell might be better suited for a DH role with a different player taking over at first base. 

That brings us back to Houston and to a decision that still hangs over the organization.

The Twins shocked their fan base and much of the baseball world when they sent Carlos Correa back to the Astros last July. The deal felt like a final acknowledgement that the previous competitive window had closed. The return only sharpened that feeling. Minnesota received a 26-year-old low-minors pitcher in Matt Mikulski, who the team already released, and agreed to retain $33 million of Correa’s contract.

At the time, it looked like the Twins took the best offer available. Now, we know the talks may have been more complicated.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Minnesota initially pushed for veteran first baseman Christian Walker as part of those negotiations. Houston declined. Walker had just signed a free agent deal the previous winter and still had two years and $40 million remaining. The ask suggested the Twins were not simply dumping salary but actively searching for a way to remain respectable in the short term without Correa.

Fast forward to this offseason, and Walker’s name is back in circulation. Reports indicate the Astros are attempting to clear a logjam at first base and designated hitter. Chandler Rome of The Athletic has noted that interest around the league has been limited. Walker’s 2025 numbers explain some of that hesitation. Over 154 games, he slashed .238/.297/.421 (.718) with a 99 wRC+ and produced 1.1 fWAR.

There are reasons to think there is still something left. Walker was far better in the second half, launching 15 home runs and posting a 120 wRC+. He will be 35 years old in 2026 but remains a strong defender at first base (2 OAA in 2025), which carries real value for a pitching staff that will include young infielders across the diamond.

This is where the Correa trade could be partially salvaged. Minnesota is already sending $10 million per season to Houston as part of Correa’s deal. A creative solution could see the Astros send Walker to the Twins while covering roughly half of his remaining salary ($16-20 million of the $40 million owed). Minnesota would likely need to include a lower-level prospect to make it work, but the cost would be manageable.

It would not erase the sting of trading Correa for such a light return. However, landing a steady first baseman who can provide average offense and above-average defense would help stabilize the roster and provide a more transparent bridge between rebuilding and competing. Sometimes saving a trade does not mean winning it outright. Sometimes it means finding a way to make the aftermath hurt a little less.

Does Walker make sense for the Twins? How much of his salary could the front office expect to acquire? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

 

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[the_brute_squad]

First! 

I don't hate the idea. I just wonder...if Walker said no once, wouldn't he probably say it twice?

[killertwinfan]

I don’t understand what this has to do with the Correa trade. These are two separate deals and the Correa trade was just one of the disasters of that summer. 

[RedLeg44]

I like the thought of Walker at 1st base a lot more than Bell. Do I think Houston will cover much, if any of his salary…not likely. Guess it really depends on the hypothetical prospect you send. This to me would really make the Bell signing look like a decision made from fear to make sure the twins had a chair once the free agent musical chairs stopped.

$7 mil isn’t a lot in today’s market but put that together with Walkers $20… I think $27 million AVV buys you a pretty impactful player.

Could maybe have signed Nailer to play 1st…had 1.5 more WAR than Bell and Walker combined last year for around $18 mil AVV. But I could see the hesitation to have a longer, better cheaper, solution to a problem. 

But…at least they would be trying to do something.

 

[thelanges5]

Even if the Twins could somehow finagle the financials to be on the hook for $16-$20 mil of the $40 mil owed Walker; I’d rather spend that on the bullpen or a RH corner outfield bat. Not interested in Walker. 

[Blyleven2011]

Walker was kinda a late bloomer , 30 years old before he really started to accumulate any war's ...

Walked bats righthanded and his defense would be welcomed with Clemens then in the utility role ...

So Christy  is suggesting trading for Walker but only giving up a player from A ball and Houston sending us money to pay down Walkers contract , I think there is only 1 insane person that would do that kind of trade in baseball and that is falvey ...

If Walker is 35 , why not go with Goldschmidt who is 38 ??? , who would be cheaper , but we have Bell so I don't think anymore is going to happen with the first base position  ...

[DJL44]

I would go back to the original deal. Houston agrees to pay the $30M on Correas contract and the Twins pay Walker $40M over two seasons. That’s effectively a 2-year $10M commitment for Christian Walker. Then I’d try to flip him again at the deadline to dump the  contract on someone else.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Is Walkers defense still better than what Clemens showed last year? Not that I think Clemens is a star, but I wouldn’t want to add Christian Walker if we already have Christian Walker at home :)

[Major League Ready]

For starters, I am suspect of a player going into their age 35 season, especially a player whose performance fell-off in their age 34 season.  Clemens was a good as Walker last year for league minimum.  $40M in BP additions would be far more valuable.  REALLY bad idea!

[Whitey333]

Don't see it happening.  They recently signed Bell. They got him relatively cheap for 7 million.  This is just the type of low key inexpensive move the Twins are noted for.  Not interested in Walker

[Brandon27]

Well if you look at it Twins have a problem developing a firstbase or don't draft one its going be theme every year who playing first and not having long term at first . But I see bell being the everyday DH they don't need trade for no one they clemens or they teach larnach to play first 🤷

[TopGunn#22]

I agree with DJL44, if that kind of arrangement could be made.  I don't like that Walker is 35.  I don't like that he struggled last season.  

But I DO like his defense, which is still very good.  I like his power potential.  I like being able to use Clemens in a utility role more than him as a lineup regular.  I like anything that moves Julien out of consideration.  

[Jeff K]

I don't feel like this is a move the Twins should make.  However, I disagree with the feeling from the article that dumping Correa was a bad idea.  The Twins were losing with him; why not unload most of his boat anchor salary?  Unfortunately, the Twins have chosen not to reinvest, but I still don't feel Correa was going to help the Twins win.

[Otaknam]

I would be completely shocked if the Twins sign Walker because of his remaining $40 million two year contract, even if Houston eats a portion of it.  I would rather they target a young guy like Coby Mayo in a trade, who is expendable because the Orioles signed Alonzo. 

[awmonahan]

Getting a professional, stabilizing force in the lineup is important for such a young team. But, I think that's Bell's role and there's even positional overlap. This team is going to be ok at best. The young guys need to be on the field and getting ABs. Overloading with old 1B/DH types goes against the long-term plan of seeing which young players will stick. 

[The Great Hambino]

There is no salvaging the Correa trade.  The longest-of-long-shots lottery ticket has already been discarded, and the salary savings have been pocketed by ownership.  The payroll this year will at best be last year's payroll minus the Correa savings.  There's no argument to be made that this was anything other than a salary dump.   

It should have been the final chapter of this era of Twins baseball, but they're insisting on adding an unnecessary epilogue to the story by refusing to move on from the current core.

[Mahoning]

If you mostly want professional RH at-bats you can get Tommy Pham, whose stats were very similar to Walker's last year, for much less, and no confusion at 1B.

[rdehring]

Every time I see something written about Correa I wonder, what if? 

What if the Twins never signed him to that first contract?  Instead of adding his big salary, what if they had upped their payroll a few million every year?  Or even five to ten million?  Could the FO have improved the team a bit every year?  Would they be a better team heading into 2026?

And more important, what would be the fans opinion of the Twins had they increased their budget every year rather than the big jump followed by the subsequent cuts?  

Have a feeling they would have both a more competitive team with less animosity from their fans.  Heck, the fans may even be happy.  Probably also would have had a couple hundred thousand more people at their games last year.

[GNess]

This proposal while creative isn't money well spent. If the Twins actually would take on Walker's salary it seems they could spend that $20M a year in free agency to much better short and long term use than acquiring a 35 year old 1B.

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, the_brute_squad said:

First! 

I don't hate the idea. I just wonder...if Walker said no once, wouldn't he probably say it twice?

The ASTROS said “no” at the time. Walker goes wherever those who have him under contract deem he should be. His alternative is to retire.

I don’t hate the idea either. Seems Bell or Larnach gets traded somewhere where if they would acquire Walker.

[JD-TWINS]

12 minutes ago, rdehring said:

Every time I see something written about Correa I wonder, what if? 

What if the Twins never signed him to that first contract?  Instead of adding his big salary, what if they had upped their payroll a few million every year?  Or even five to ten million?  Could the FO have improved the team a bit every year?  Would they be a better team heading into 2026?

And more important, what would be the fans opinion of the Twins had they increased their budget every year rather than the big jump followed by the subsequent cuts?  

Have a feeling they would have both a more competitive team with less animosity from their fans.  Heck, the fans may even be happy.  Probably also would have had a couple hundred thousand more people at their games last year.

Team spent $154M in ‘23 and nearly $140M prior, in ‘22 ………… if they just stayed level at $154M (even with Correa’s salary included) they would have been competitive in ‘24 & ‘25.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, awmonahan said:

Getting a professional, stabilizing force in the lineup is important for such a young team. But, I think that's Bell's role and there's even positional overlap. This team is going to be ok at best. The young guys need to be on the field and getting ABs. Overloading with old 1B/DH types goes against the long-term plan of seeing which young players will stick. 

If there were one or two potential prospects in the Twin’s system at 1B, I would agree. To me, the cupboard’s bare at 1B. Professionally polished hitters with some upside, that also have a good glove (Walker), is never a bad move on a short (2 yrs) deal. …… Bell is a 1 year deal. Acquire options!! Can always trade and move on if youth rises to proper level for MLB success.

[Fatbat]

I understand your logic but it really boils down to how do they spend the money saved by shipping C4 out.  Right now, the money isnt being spent or even planned on spending it. Since the FO/ownership is going to be frugal until the team starts winning, why not implore & TEACH Larnach and or Wallner to play 1B. We have in house guys that have the ability and project as average to above average athletes with defensive capabilities.  Just get it done. 

[tony&rodney]

This is a strange idea. The Twins just signed Josh Bell and stated he will play first base. Bell cannot be traded until sometime after the 2026 season is in motion (?-June 15). Additionally, it is a big expense for a team out of money. Lastly, Walker plays defense. He is not the type of player the Twins go after on most occasions. 

The Twins have options ...... if they are interested. We have seen numerous players signed and various teams have made trades while Alex Jackson remains the big deal for our team so far. Money is a reality but not necessarily limiting the Twins in deals. Pittsburgh has made several trades and is still looking for more bats. The Twins have an excess of DH players and signing Bell adds to their options at DH. Falvey should be looking to deal with Pittsburgh. I'm not seeing any real interest thus far, except for from people on TD.

[Fatbat]

5 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

This is a strange idea. The Twins just signed Josh Bell and stated he will play first base. Bell cannot be traded until sometime after the 2026 season is in motion (?-June 15). Additionally, it is a big expense for a team out of money. Lastly, Walker plays defense. He is not the type of player the Twins go after on most occasions. 

The Twins have options ...... if they are interested. We have seen numerous players signed and various teams have made trades while Alex Jackson remains the big deal for our team so far. Money is a reality but not necessarily limiting the Twins in deals. Pittsburgh has made several trades and is still looking for more bats. The Twins have an excess of DH players and signing Bell adds to their options at DH. Falvey should be looking to deal with Pittsburgh. I'm not seeing any real interest thus far, except for from people on TD.

What do you think about the FO cooking up a trade to get a legitimate high end reliever in exchange for a LH OF/DH… we have a few.  In a perfect world, we could sign a FA closer but there is no budget for that. 

[tony&rodney]

Just now, Fatbat said:

What do you think about the FO cooking up a trade to get a legitimate high end reliever in exchange for a LH OF/DH… we have a few.  In a perfect world, we could sign a FA closer but there is no budget for that. 

It is a good idea. I'm not certain there is any interest from the Twins front office. The current picture seems to indicate that the front office feels like they have already put together their dream team. We can hope though.

[Fatbat]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

It is a good idea. I'm not certain there is any interest from the Twins front office. The current picture seems to indicate that the front office feels like they have already put together their dream team. We can hope though.

They are selling the same smoke and mirrors. Yes, we have young pitching talent but its going to take time to develop mlb set up and closer like jax and duran. I also don’t want another pagan/colume FA signing 

[Woof Bronzer]

I'm astounded at the quantity of fans who think that adding declining, replacement level players at surplus positions is suddenly going to make this team competitive.  

Cannot say it enough apparently:  this is one of the worst rosters in baseball, and it will take multiple actual needle moving hitters - 3-5 WAR upgrades over current talent - to turn this offense into a competitor.  It is a terrible, terrible use of limited resources to overspend on 0-1 WAR players.  

[sweetmusicviola16]

I see the chances of this happening as being zero. I would have preferred Walker to Bell, sure. But with Bell already Walker isn't happening. What I would like to see happen is a trade for someone else's 1B prospect who could maybe get a taste of the ML this year and be the guy for next year. Some names I'll throw out there would be Collier from the Reds. Clifford of the Mets. Xavier Isaac of the Rays. We have next to no one close to ML ready in our system. Acquiring one of these guys wouldn't break the farm but it just might get us a 1B beyond the yearly rentals. Granted this isn't a splash move like a Walker but we just might be able to find the guy that could be our 1B for 7-8 years. 

[DocBauer]

I'd like this idea better if it was 1yr and not 2. But he had 3 straight. 800+ OPS seasons before 2025. Starting slow and finishing strong is much better than the opposite way around. And the $ works. 

No need for Larnach any longer, so a drop or trade removes almost $5M. IF you want to include ALL of Bell's deal for 2026...it's really only a little above  $5M with the rest part of a 2027 buyout...the payroll sits about $92-93M.

If Houston pays half of Walker's deal, he really only costs $10M. So the payroll is $102-103M.

I'd say the over/under on payroll is $115M. (I'd bet over, but I digress). That's $12M to spend on a pair of decent, experienced pen arms. Meanwhile, you've added a true 1B with power who hopefully has some gas left, and Bell moves to primary DH. And you haven't blocked anyone in the OF or INF regarding prospects. 

I don't dislike this idea. It makes some sense and works. But again, I really only like it for 1yr. It's the 2nd year that bothers me.

I'd more likely guess they'll either trade for a younger 1B, or sign a less expensive bench option on a 1yr.