The Philadelphia Phillies started the winter with a bang, signing former Dodgers Shortstop Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million deal.
With their number one target off the board, the Phillies started to focus on another area to improve the team. After Turner was signed, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski was asked how the Phillies ranked the free agent Shortstops. He mentioned that he ranked Turner first and Carlos Correa a close second.
The Carlos Correa story so far
Carlos Correa initially signed a 13-year, $350 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. A week later, news broke that the Giants had called off the introductory press conference due to some issues they had with the physical of Correa.
When the Giants wanted to seek different opinions, Correa’s agent Scott Boras went and find his client another deal. Boras was able to agree to terms on a deal with the New York Mets, for 12 years and $315 million.
When all seemed right with Steve Cohen, the Mets, and Correa, more reports surfaced about the Mets having the same type of concerns due to Correa’s physical. There are reports about teams being weary of Correa’s lower leg/ankle that he had surgery on in 2014, although he hasn’t landed on the IR because of a leg injury since. Insiders have reported that Team Correa and the Mets are still discussing a contract, but nothing has officially been announced yet.
With possible turmoil with the Mets and Scott Boras, should the Phillies try to swoop in and work out a deal with Correa? If they do, what does it mean for the current roster?
Could the Phillies Sign Correa?
With Dombrowski stating the Phillies’ previous interest in Carlos Correa and where he was listed on their list, they could try to step in if the Mets deal doesn’t work out. With long-term concerns about the health of his lower leg, the Phillies could come in with a large short-term offer with a high AAV. The Phillies could offer a contract in the range of 3 years and $105 million. That would put him in the top ten in the MLB in AAV and match what he made last season with the Minnesota Twins.
Correa and the Phillies would also have to agree for him to sign with the intention of playing third base, just let he agreed to do with the New York Mets. With Turner signed, he is the Shortstop for the foreseeable future, so Correa would be expected to play another infield role.
What Would Happen to the Current Roster?
If the Phillies pursued Correa, there would obviously be some other dominoes that would fall regarding players on the current roster. You could expect this would affect players like Alec Bohm and Rhys Hoskins.
A possible solution could entail moving Alec Bohm to first base and trading Rhys Hoskins and some future assets for some major bullpen help. Maybe, they could target someone like All-Star reliever Liam Hendriks from the Chicago Whitesox.
With Hoskins being a point of contention with the fans, a move like this would make some Phillies fans happy. A move like this would send shockwaves through the roster.
How Realistic is This Scenario?
Is it possible? Yes. Is it realistic? Possibly.
Dave Dombrowski and Phillies owner John Middleton have committed to winning and building a roster to stay in contention in the NL. If they had a way to add a game-changer to the roster to increase their chances of winning and it made sense, they would make the move.
Correa does still have some of the Astros’ stink on him from their cheating scandal, but that doesn’t affect how talented a player he is. If the Phillies could find a way to make the team better and weaken the Mets, I’m sure they would think long and hard about it.
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