Carlos Correa officially isn't coming to the North Side, and he isn't returning to Houston, either.
Correa, the All-Star free agent shortstop, and the Twins have agreed to a three-year deal, according to multiple reports, including Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston and ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The deal offers Correa a chance to reenter the free agent market next winter. It includes opt outs after the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The Cubs were linked to Correa at various points this offseason, with a report indicating mutual interest between the two sides before MLB's lockout in December.
However, team president Jed Hoyer threw cold water on a potential Correa pursuit this week, after the Cubs signed free agent shortstop Andrelton Simmons — Minnesota's shortstop last season. The Cubs have since signed versatile infielder Jonathan Villar, as well.
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“Yeah, I think we’re really happy with our middle infield right now,” Hoyer said Tuesday. “We brought in Simmons. He’s an elite shortstop. With our pitching staff that was something that was critically important.
“We have a lot of confidence in Nico [Hoerner] playing shortstop,” Hoyer added. “He’s also an elite defensive second baseman. And we couldn’t have been more excited to trade for [Nick] Madrigal [last summer]. And I think with Nick and with Nico having some injuries last year, we’re definitely aware that 162 is probably not going to happen.
“We have three middle infielders we have a ton of faith in, and I think almost like on the pitching side, we’ll continue to add depth and give [Cubs manager David Ross] options of moving those guys around.”
With the deal, Correa becomes the highest-paid infielder in terms of average annual value in baseball history.