The New York Yankees have been focused on the top starting pitcher on the free agent market, Carlos Rodon.
Rodon is reportedly seeking a deal worth $30 million per season in the 5–6 year range, but the Bombers have unexpectedly turned their attention toward the shortstop market, according to one MLB insider.
Former Minnesota Twin and 28-year-old star infielder Carlos Correa is the top shortstop available, and the Yankees seem to be considering his services, whether it be on a short-term rental or a long-term deal.
“I just know the Yankees are working on something big and maybe it’s Carlos Correa.” -Buster Olney
Landing Correa would undoubtedly be a massive turn of events, considering he’s looking for a monster contract after opting out of his deal with Minnesota following a successful 2022 season.
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The Yankees would get exponentially better with Carlos Correa:
Correa hit .291 with a 36.6% on-base rate, 22 homers, and 64 RBIs, earning a 140 wRC+. Defensively, he tallied a .983 fielding percentage with eight errors over 1113.1 innings. He recorded three defensive runs saved above average, following a 2021 season with Houston where he earned 20 defensive runs saved.
Signing Correa on a short-term deal would be a massive expense since he would prefer to settle for 7–8 years, especially after seeing how much money and years Xander Bogaerts secured from the Padres.
If Correa is willing to accept a short-term deal, the Yankees could easily acquire services for an elevated price tag, making a legitimate push at a World Series. At the end of the day, Steve Cohen over in Queens is dropping a boatload of cash to give the Mets a real chance at competing in 2023, so the Yankees will undoubtedly have their work cut out for them.
Even if general manager Brian Cashman has turned his attention toward Correa, Rodon is the perfect match to bolster the Yankees’ rotation and create a unit that is easily the best in baseball on paper.