Twins walking back trade speculation on $36 million superstar

Feb 15, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey talks with media at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Idle chatter by Minnesota Twins new president of baseball operations Derek Falvey last week created a firestorm among Major League Baseball media. 

Joel Sherman of the New York Post's column last Tuesday quoted Falvey as musing about shortstop Carlo Correa being available to be traded this winter.

"If they came at us, we’re open-minded to anything," Falvey said. "Obviously, Carlos has a full no-trade clause. We love him. We’re always open-minded when teams hit us on all of our players."

That was enough to kickstart speculation that the Twins were shopping the three-time All-Star in the midst of a six-year, $200 million contract that runs through 2028. The contract also includes a team option for 2029 through 2032. 

Speculation centered around whether the Twins, who slashed payroll prior to a doomed 2024 season, were looking at paring the $128 million in guaranteed money still owed Correa while the franchise explores the possibility of a sale to new ownership.

However, Falvey walked back his previous comments in an article by Dan Hayes of The Athletic. 

Hayes reported that "...even though he was careful to not rule out any possibilities, Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey suggested he isn’t ready to seriously entertain those inquiries."

Speculation remains rampant that the Twins are interested in trading away Correa, centerfielder Byron Buxton, or staff ace Pablo Lopez this winter. The trio is currently set to account for more than half of Minnesota's projected $130 million payroll. 

To that end, Falvey said:

"Everyone is always going to ask when you’re a team in the payroll bracket that we are. I feel really confident those guys are going to be part of the ability for us to do what we want on the field. They’re going to fuel us hopefully to some of the success we want to have. … I feel really good about those players."

Correa has been dogged by injuries in recent seasons. He played just 86 games last season, largely due to a severe case of plantar fasciitis in his right foot. 

In 2023, Correa played through a similar malaise in his left foot, though he posted arguably the worst offensive season of his 10-year Major League Baseball career in doing so.

More MLB: Astros linked to a pair of former Twins to bring aboard this winter