WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa said he has rejected a bid for a six-year $ 120 million contract from 2022-27 and is unsure if there will be a deal before opening day next week.
Correa has a salary of $ 11.3 million this year and could become a free agent after the World Series.
“I don’t know how things are now,” said Correa on Thursday. “ The first offer I thought was very low, and if that’s how they feel about me and that’s where we are, then I think I’ll go out and play and try to win another championship for the city. Houston and then explore for free. desk. “added.
Correa said the long-term offering of the Astros was made a few weeks ago.
“After that there was no more conversation,” he explained. “We haven’t talked about a possible renewal since then, so I’m preparing to be a free agent this year.”
Houston opens the season next Thursday in Oakland and Correa has ruled out subsequent talks.
“Once the season starts and I start playing, I will play my last season before becoming a free agent,” he said. “There’s no point in dealing with me when I’m trying to focus and perform and help my team win games, so absolutely not,” he said.
Correa, now 26, was selected by the Astros with the first overall draft pick in 2012, a year when the Astros had their second of three consecutive seasons with over 100 losses. He made his debut in 2015 and was named American League Rookie of the Year. Correa was an All-Star in 2017, helping the Astros to their first World Series title.
Correa hit .264 with five home runs and 25 RBI’s in last year’s pandemic-shortened season, hitting .276 with 107 home runs and 397 RBI’s.
“I understand the business and I know how it is, so there is never any emotion involved,” he added. “I’ve given this organization five, six years of my career, the Rookie of the Year, the All-Star Games, the World Series, several great playoff appearances, and if they don’t see me here in the long run, then another. team will. It will. So yes, there are never hard feelings. It’s a business. That’s how it works, “he said.