The Yankees’ official stance hasn’t changed on Carlos Correa. His participation in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, which contributed to the Yankees’ ALCS demise in 2017 and maybe 2019, too, will not factor in how the organization attacks the free agent shortstop market this winter.
Yanks general manager Brian Cashman took that position last week at the GM Meetings and manager Aaron Boone echoed it Tuesday during a Zoom interview called for new third base coach Luis Rojas.
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The guess here is that the Yankees’ brass officially is keeping all options open because publicly passing on Correa only would drive the price up on the rest of this winter’s epic free agent shortstop class, including the big fish that for sure is on Cashman’s radar. According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the Yankees are “in play” for Corey Seager along with his only MLB team to this point, the Dodgers.
Boone was asked directly if Correa’s checkered history will affect the Yankees, who are on the hunt for a shortstop because Gleyber Torres’ move to second base last September will be permanent.
“No,” the manager responded.
Similarly to Cashman, Boone showered praise on what Correa brings to a club, but the manager was careful with his words.
“Great player,” Boone said. “I think he’s obviously in the prime of his career or entering the prime of his career and part of what is a very special shortstop class. I think he’s a guy that has really developed into a leader over these last several seasons with the Astros. And he’s going to be in high demand for good reason based on the player he is between the lines and also the intangible things that you’ve seen him grow into over the years, at least across the diamond.”
That “at least across the diamond” line was an interesting ending to Boone’s quote. Privately, the Yankees surely aren’t quite as high on Correa’s off-the-diamond conduct, and it goes beyond the cheating that helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series. Just this week, Correa made headlines by taking a shot at Yankees legend Derek Jeter. Correa apparently thinks the Hall-of-Fame shortstop didn’t earn any of his five Gold Gloves. Correa, by the way, was 10 years old when Jeter won his first in 2004. Who knows what Correa thinks he had to gain by attacking a high-character all-time great?
As for whether Correa would be welcomed in the Yankees clubhouse, NJ Advance Media asked that question to Boone because some of his star players have been very outspoken about the Astros’ cheating, especially Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
“I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves with different free agents, but anytime we’re involved with a free agent, a free agent that’s going to attract a lot of years and dollars, we’re all going to feel really good about it (before committing to a signing),” Boone said. “So there’s a lot that goes into that and I think that’s part of what goes on when you’re talking to free agents or recruiting free agents. You want to really get to know who they are and what they are, and also (have them know) who we are and what we’re about. So that’s a process, and as much a part of the process as ultimately settling on a contract.”
That seems to be a discreet way of saying the Yankees absolutely would be bringing up the cheating if they wind up courting Correa, a 27-year-old, two-time All-Star who is expected to land a deal in excess of $300 million.
The rumor mill has Correa signing a mega-bucks deal with the Detroit Tigers. Podcaster Michael Balko reported this week that an MLB insider told him Correa signing with Detroit is a “done deal.” Maybe in time, but it makes sense. The Tigers are ready to be big offseason players after a few years of rebuilding and just this week signed free agent left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez for $77 million over five seasons. Correa to Detroit also would reunite him with A.J. Hinch, who took over as Tigers’ skipper last season after being suspended and fired as Astros manager in January 2020 after The Athletic exposed the illegal sign stealing.
It would be easy to argue that Seager makes more sense for the Yankees. He probably would come at least $20 million cheaper than Correa, plus he’d provide lineup balance as a left-handed hitter and he has a 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame that seemingly makes him suited for a switch to third base when Yankees shortstop-prospects extraordinaire Anthony Volpe and/or Oswald Peraza become major-league ready.
Volpe, 20, soared to the top of the Yankees’ prospect rankings this year batting .294 with 27 homers, 86 RBI, 78 walks and 33 steals playing for Low-A Tampa (54 games) and High-A Hudson Valley (55 games). Peraza, 21, also had a great season batting .297 with 18 homers, 58 RBI and 38 steals for Hudson Valley (28 games), Double-A Somerset (79 games) and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (8 games). Both also played quality shortstop.
It’s believed the Yankees envision both in their starting infield a few years down the road, perhaps with Volpe shifting to second base. Regardless, their development figures to play a role in how the Yankees handle their current shortstop opening. Trevor Story, Marcus Semien and Javier Baez also are free agents who will be very pricy. A much cheaper option would be signing four-time Gold Glove winner Andrelton Simmons to a short-term deal as a stopgap until one of the kids are ready.
“We do feel like in Peraza and Volpe that we have two future longtime impact big-league players,” Boone said. “With Peraza getting up to Triple-A, he’s knocking on the door. Obviously, Anthony kind of rifled through a couple different levels this year. So we’re obviously very excited about those players and believe that they are real.
“That certainly always factors into any kind of decision ultimately the organization and Cash make when they’re making a decision on trades or free agent acquisitions. That’s all part of the equation.”
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Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com.
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