FORT MYERS, Fla. — He's the first player in Twins history to sign a contract worth $200 million. Then again, Carlos Correa is also the first player to wind up with a mind-boggling $150 million less of a guarantee than he originally agreed to.
Does the Twins shortstop ever contemplate the bank vault of riches left on the table, the 42.9% discount he eventually had to give the Twins when the Giants backed away from their $350 million offer?
Not even once, a relaxed and cheerful Correa contended upon arriving at Twins camp on Friday.
"Money is money, brother. If money is what makes you happy, then you've got to re-evaluate your life," said Correa, who admittedly will still bank, via his new record-setting Twins contract and the $70 million or so he's already earned, well over a quarter of a billion dollars during his career for being among the best ballplayers in the world. "You will never hear me bragging about being the richest man in the room. … I haven't even thought about losing [bigger contracts]. I want to be a great father, and I want to be a great player."
That's what the Twins want, too, and there is little doubt that the continued presence of their star shortstop makes them a far better team, too. Correa's still-surprising six-year commitment to Minnesota altered the level of optimism around the team, the attitude in the clubhouse, the AL Central race and, Rocco Baldelli presupposes, the eventual success of the roster.
"It changed a lot. That's the type of move that really kind of accentuates that arrow [heading] up," Baldelli said. "He's not just someone that does something well, someone that's just going to improve your team. He really raises every possible bar — [including] off-the-field things, elevating teammates. … It changes the entire team."
That last part began in 2022, but was always considered temporary because, well, Correa himself was considered temporary, a soon-to-be free agent who would inevitably wind up with the highest bidder. Now Correa's steps to assume a leadership role look foresighted, particularly with his fellow nine-figure-contract superstar.
Correa can pinpoint, in fact, the moment he felt Byron Buxton's willingness to accept him as an equal. The night before the Twins' first road game of the season, Correa organized a team dinner for his teammates at Mastro's Ocean Club, an elegant restaurant on Boston Harbor. He sat Buxton next to him at dinner, and ordered wine for the entire party.
