Just How Good Is Carlos Correa?

Great to have a real superstar on the team.  As far as it making them a contender I'm not so sure.  Yes he makes them better assuming he puts up his normal numbers.  I just can't see the Twins as legit contenders unless and until they add a veteran starter or two on the pitching staff. It was a stunning and exciting move by the Twins.  Let's hope it all works out.  The current team with it's inadequate pitching is probably not more than a 500 team certainly not a contender.  If, however, we add quality to the pitching that could vault us into the playoffs.  

3 hours ago, Tiantwindup said:

Great job of putting this signing in context. Getting ahead of things here, but if he has a typical Correa year, would Twins have a chance to keep him for year 2 (and potentially year 3) by upping his salary to, say, $40M?

I think next year is an unknown at this point.  Unless something dramatic happens I think it is safe to assume that CC will opt out.

But I wouldn't rule out the Twins keeping him.  It really depends on a couple of things.

1) the chemistry between the Twins (players and FO) and CC
2) what the Twins are doing to put together a WS Winning team.
3) how CC and his family like the TC area.

TS

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

I love having great players in the field and lineup - we have enjoyed some great ones and Correa should give us a great year of good memories, but the caution is - Mike Trout - the player who is touted as the greatest player in the game today.  How many playoffs has his team gotten to in his career?  Unlike basketball one great player does not mean a team is going to win.  If he were a pitcher that made more difference, but then there is the Carlton year where he won 27 on a team that won a total of 62 games.  We win this year if Josh Winder is rookie of the year and Correa makes him and the other pitchers better because he gives them security on ground balls. 

I'm reading "The Baseball 100"  (Joe Posnanski)

He ranks Steve Carlton #63 all time.

In 1972, the Phillies actually won only 59 games, with Lefty winning 27!

What an eye-popping stat!

1 hour ago, EGFTShaw said:

I think next year is an unknown at this point.  Unless something dramatic happens I think it is safe to assume that CC will opt out.

But I wouldn't rule out the Twins keeping him.  It really depends on a couple of things.

1) the chemistry between the Twins (players and FO) and CC
2) what the Twins are doing to put together a WS Winning team.
3) how CC and his family like the TC area.

TS

Is it possible that a player has an MVP type season,  and enjoys playing here so much,  and also decides that 30.5 "Million Dollars"  is enough to play another beautiful summer in Minnesota?  I see that as being in the realm of possibility.  Call me crazy.

I think it will be a very pleasant revelation to Twins fan’s re: just exactly what impact a top flight shortstop can make. Minnesota hasn’t had a 7+ WAR shortstop since Zoilo Versalles in 1965. Yeah, barring injury, it could be incredible with this fellow anchoring the infield!

57 minutes ago, Heiny said:

Is it possible that a player has an MVP type season,  and enjoys playing here so much,  and also decides that 30.5 "Million Dollars"  is enough to play another beautiful summer in Minnesota?  I see that as being in the realm of possibility.  Call me crazy.

OK...LOL...you're crazy...

You are also Not Wrong...

Passing on Simmons fielding; he is the best hitting and fielding SS the Twins have had since Leo Cardenas, who had his last great years with the Twins.

Simmons had a WAR of 7.9 one year also.

Regardless what production the Twins get from Correa, his incredible technique and work habits will be worth possible future gold gloves for Gordon, Martin, Lewis, Palacios, Miranda, and whoever else gets to take notes and observe this defensive marvel up close. 

Correa's defensive dive to his left was a perfect example. Not only did he dive and field a rising bounce; he then popped to his feet in perfect position, on balance and ready to deliver an accurate throw. Some guys pop to their feet, but then need to correct their body angle. Other guys pop to their feet, then deliver a wild throw. Correa shows how to do it perfectly. That's how you win a gold glove. That's how you win games.