Carlos Correa is expected to return to free agency this winter, but the New York Yankees will not be among the suitors.
The New York Yankees were supposed to sign Carlos Correa, and the New York Yankees were supposed to sign Carlos Correa. Last offseason, it was a done deal. It was reported by a large number of bogus Twitter accounts. With a history dating back to the 2017 World Series, the match felt too imperfectly perfect. They were in desperate need of a star shortstop. He required a large sum of money.
Instead, Correa wound up with the Minnesota Twins, where he will almost certainly opt out after this season. The Yankees would have a second chance to sign him.
The Yankees have already passed on Carlos Correa due to Anthony Volpe.
If Anthony Volpe was a sunk cost, the Yankees might reconsider their strategy. He’s far from it. Volpe is the real deal and New York’s future shortstop. He could even be in line to succeed Isaiah Kiner-Falefah at some point next season. He should, in fact.
The Yankees chose to keep Volpe at the trade deadline rather than trade for specific players. He’s the guy they’ve hyped up but aren’t willing to part with. The Yankees are hoping that he will be the second coming of Derek Jeter, or at the very least a very good shortstop for many years.
Correa, on the other hand, is yet another high-profile free agent on whom they would have to spend a significant amount of money. With Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton already eating into the Yankees’ payroll, the team will have to be cautious about who gets the next big contract. If most fans had their way, Aaron Judge would be the man.
With Volpe on the way, it just doesn’t make sense for the Yankees to abandon their current strategy. They had a chance to make a big splash in free agency last winter, but they didn’t. They stood firm with Volpe once more at the trade deadline.
The Yankees will be active in free agency this offseason. They should be able to make a significant impact with a trade or two.
They will not, however, sign Correa to a ridiculously large contract. Volpe is on his way. They’re determined to make it happen.