MLB analyst reveals what he believes Carlos Correa will bring to Astros lineup

The Houston Astros decided to bring back a familiar face in Carlos Correa on Thursday before MLB’s trade deadline. Houston’s decision to reunite with the veteran infielder is earning praise from MLB Network’s Steve Phillips.

As part of the deal that brought Correa back to the Astros, Houston sent High-A left-hander Matt Mikulski to the Minnesota Twins in return for Correa, per The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. 

Moreover, the 30-year-old agreed to play third base to cover for the injured Isaac Paredes.

Now that Correa is on board, Phillips thinks he might be the spark the Astros need to get the lineup going as they try to hold off the Seattle Mariners, who picked up Eugenio Suárez at the deadline.

“I like it,” Phillips said on MLB Network. “I think it's a little risky. I mean, he's not the same player this year, and he is getting older. And we know he's got the foot issue, or the ankle issue, that’s there. But I think there's going to be an automatic spark when he goes back in there.”

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During his first stint with the Astros, Correa hit .277 with 133 home rumors and 489 RBI, and Houston is hoping that being back in a place where he’s experienced success could be enough for him to rediscover his past form as he reunites with former teammates.

“He thinks his offense is going to be better,” Phillips added. “And I think this was a salary dump by the Twins and an opportunity to send him to the one place he was willing to go, back to Houston. I think Altuve is excited about it. I think that Jeremy [Peña] at shortstop coming back today off the injured list.

“If they get Yordan Álvarez back. And I think Dana Brown looked at it and said, 'We’ve got starting pitchers starting to come back off the injured list.' They decided to not go after pitching and just focus on the offense."