The Los Angeles Angels have relied on light-hitting, sure-handed shortstops for the past decade, but with Carlos Correa set to become a free agent, he should be on the top of their wish list.
Andrelton Simmons once held shortstop down for the Angels, and his glovework was incredible. By all accounts, he’s one of the best defensive middle infielders to wear an Angels uniform. But his bat left a lot to be desired as he was heralded to play defense and provide somewhat timely hitting.
But defensive runs saved don’t hit home runs or post a career 130 wRC+ at a premier position where the offense is highly valued. With offseason mode the only thing on the Angels’ mind, Correa announced he’s opting out of his contract with the Minnesota Twins and is lobbying for a big contract via ESPN:
Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa will exercise his opt-out clause and become a free agent, he told El Nuevo Día newspaper Wednesday.
Correa, who hit .291 with 22 home runs, 64 RBIs and 70 runs scored in 136 games this season, said now was the time to choose free agency.
“With the year that I have had, my health and my being at the best moment of my career at 28, that is the right decision,” Correa told the Puerto Rican newspaper.
The Angels received a combined 0.8 wins above replacement from Livan Soto, David Fletcher, Luis Rengifo, and Matt Duffy at shortstop this season per FanGraphs WAR Correa posted a 4.4 WAR himself, and he will be available in the winter.
Currently, Bet at PowerPlay has the odds of the Angels signing Correa as a field bet at +110. The Minnesota Twins are at -200, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are at -125 as the favorites to land the coveted shortstop in the off-season.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian has both the cash and the roster space to facilitate such a move, but with ownership up in the air, all things long-term make any significant commitments problematic.
Carlos Correa Tags Angels’ Shohei Ohtani
The Angels took two of three games from the Twins toward the end of the season, during which Shohei Ohtani received some of the highest praise from one of Major League Baseball’s premier players, with Correa calling him “the best player ever” in baseball.
