Carlos Correa Says He Wants to Complete Astros Contract Talks Before Opening Day
February 22, 2021
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa has no interest in negotiating a new contract after Opening Day.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Correa said he doesn't want contract talks to take away from his focus on the season.
Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26Carlos Correa can become a free agent after the season: “If the #Astros want to extend me I would like to get it done before the season starts.Once the season starts-I feel like I’m gonna have such a great season, I don’t want to be involved & distracted with those conversations” https://t.co/59J9K8Hzky
Correa will play the 2021 season on a one-year deal worth $11.7 million.
If the Astros do plan on negotiating a new contract with Correa, who has spent all six years of his career with Houston, they'll need to get moving. According to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Correa said there hasn't been any movement on a long-term deal.
"There's no talks right now about that. Talks are nowhere right now," he said. "I leave that up to my agent and the organization, but right now, there's no talks about it. I haven't heard from them since the arbitration was settled. That's where we are right now."
Correa said in January that he "would love to be an Astro for life," even as several of the franchise's major players have moved on when given the opportunity in free agency. Gerrit Cole took off to join the New York Yankees for 2020, and George Springer signed a six-year, $150 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason.
The 2015 AL Rookie of the Year, who helped lead the Astros to a World Series championship in 2017, was reportedly seeking a $12.5 million deal before the two sides avoided arbitration and settled on a contract.
He hit .264/.326/.383 with 25 RBI and five home runs through 58 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
