Carlos Correa set to join Twins on three-year, $105.3 million deal

Carlos Correa is heading north.

The two-time All-Star shortstop, a key figure in the massive rebuild that turned the Houston Astros into World Series champions, has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Minnesota Twins. 

The deal was first reported by Mark Berman of KRIV in Houston and later confirmed by multiple other sources. The Associated Press, citing a "person familiar with the negotiations," reported that the agreement was subject to a successful physical.

Correa, 27, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft and quickly rose to prominence in Houston. When he reached the big leagues in 2015, Correa was named AL Rookie of the Year, hitting .279 with 22 home runs.

In seven seasons, Correa has hit .277 with an .837 OPS. He is also an excellent defender, winning his first Gold Glove last season.

He was a key player on the Astros team that won the 2017 World Series, blasting a pair of homers to help Houston defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. 

Correa was also later embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal that shook the sports world and brought disgrace on the Astros, leading to the suspension — and eventual firing — of manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow. Through it all, Correa remained defiantly unapologetic.

As for this offseason, Correa's new deal is unique, to say the least. 

Correa will earn $35.3 million annually under the deal and his average salary becomes baseball’s fourth-highest behind New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer ($43.3 million), Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole ($36 million) and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout ($35.5 million). He can also opt out after the 2022 and 2023 seasons to become a free agent again.

It is a far cry from the lengthy deals that most major league superstars seek once they become free agents. For instance, former Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, 27, spent seven seasons in Los Angeles before signing a 10-year, $325 million with the Texas Rangers this past December.

San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., although significantly younger (23), signed a 14-year, $340 million deal with the Padres prior to the 2021 season.

Correa joins a Twins team that finished last in the AL Central this past season. Its 73-89 record was third-worst in the American League.

The Associated Press contributed to this developing story.