Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets have concerns with Carlos Correa‘s physical, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic.
It has been quite an eventful week leading up to Christmas for Correa. The former Astro raised eyebrows with a tainted physical on Monday with the San Francisco Giants, and he lost his 13-year, $350 million deal with the organization the following day. That led to the Mets swooping in and reaching an agreement with the superstar shortstop on a 12-year, $315 million contract in a shocking turn of events.
However, after taking his physical with the Mets on December 22, the Mets have found the same outlying issue. Per Rosenthal, “the Mets continue to express reservations about the long term stability of Correa’s leg.” It is important to note that, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the two parties are trying to work through the issues right now.
The injury in question, however, is from before Correa was in MLB. In a minor league game in 2014, Correa fractured his right fibula and received minor ligament damage after sliding into third base after he hit a triple. While Correa has had a number of injuries in his career, Rosenthal highlighted that in eight major league seasons, Correa has never re-injured his right-leg.
Scott Boras also commented on Correa’s physical with the Giants on Wednesday. “You’re talking about a player who has played eight major-league seasons,” Boras said. “There are things in his medical record that happened decades ago. These are all speculative dynamics.”
It is important to note that the Twins, who have gone through the signing process with Correa twice, have had no reported problem with his physical. Minnesota had a reported 10-year, $285 million offer on the table for Correa this offseason.
Rosenthal notes in his story that the two parties could agree to a restructured contract if concerns over Correa’s leg remain, or they could insert language saying that portions of the deal would not be guaranteed if Correa missed a set amount of time with a specific leg problem. However, Rosenthal also suggests that Boras could fight any attempt to alter the deal at this late stage, especially after owner Steve Cohen has already made public comments about the deal.
While the Mets have concerns with the physical, both parties are attempting to work through it. Rosenthal reported that the Mets are confirming the first physical and will consult with team medical personnel for a different opinion. Correa hasn’t missed serious time since the 2019 season. He played in 342 games over the last three seasons and has recorded a 128 OPS+. Correa also impressed with the Twins in 2022, clubbing 22 home runs and recording a 140 OPS+ in 136 games. It remains to be seen what direction this crazy saga takes next.
