Since we heard on Christmas Eve that the Mets were worried about Carlos Correamedical records of, there have been no substantial reports with updates on how the situation is unfolding. The Mets were aware of the issues and spoke with Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, for at least 24 hours. when the news leaked. Mets owner Steve Cohen was understandably upset by the leak – which came from the Mets front office – and has ensured that there is a small circle, including lawyers, working to close a deal with Correa.
The Mets want Correa to stay in Queens for a long time, and Carlos actually prefers not to return to the free agent market. So it makes sense for both sides that the deal goes through. I still haven’t heard anyone within the Mets organization who is pessimistic about finishing. The reality is that working out special language on a deal of this magnitude that can protect both sides in the event of injury will take quite some time, and of course, the holiday season is right in the middle of that, as we will.
The Mets and Correa reached a 12-year, $315 million deal less than 24 hours after the San Francisco Giants expressed reservations with their 13-year, $350 million contract with the superstar over concerns about his long-term right leg. deadline. Correa had surgery to repair the problem in 2014 when he fractured his fibula as a minor leaguer in the Astros organization. Cohen had spoken with Boras before Correa agreed to sign with the Giants, and the Mets owner wasted no time showing interest in the former Twin once Correa was back on the market. Cohen still gave the new york post several quotes conveying his excitement over Correa’s hiring in the article that broke the story. It is a highly unusual move for a team, let alone an owner, to comment/break the news that a team has agreed to sign a player before an official physical has been given.
Unlike what used to be a quick deadline with the Giants, Boras and Correa are willing to extend talks with the Mets in hopes of closing a deal.
As we approach a week that has passed since the news broke of the ankle medical issue, Mets fans are certainly eager to see if Correa will indeed form a star-studded left side of the infield with Francisco Lindor.
To put your mind at ease, let’s look at a recent case where a player agreed to a deal only to have his language changed due to medical issues. That agreement was between JD Martinez and the Boston Red Sox in 2018, and of course the agent negotiating that deal was Boras.
The deal between the Red Sox and Martinez was first reported on Feb. 19 and became official a week later on Feb. 26 after Boston medical staff became concerned about an injury to Lisfranc’s foot that caused that JD would miss time in the 2017 season. Ultimately, there was language added to the five-year, $110 million deal that would have given the Red Sox options if Martinez missed time with a foot injury. In return, the Red Sox agree to give Martinez an additional exclusion clause that was not in the original agreement.
If Martinez dealt with Lisfrance’s injury or a foot injury that caused him to miss a certain amount of time, the 2021 and 2022 seasons of the deal would become mutual options. In the end, it took the Red Sox, Boras, medical professionals and lawyers a week to finalize this deal, which was originally worth $110 million over five years. And now Boras and the Mets are trying to do the same thing with a deal that was originally for 12 years, $315, so you can understand why it would take time to get all the details right.
As we wait for news, it’s important to remember that we know it could take time, radio silence on both ends is probably a good sign, and both sides are seemingly committed to ensuring a deal is struck.
