Carlos Correa Has Found His Rhythm
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
The margin of error in the AL Central is thin in this season’s most depleted division. The Minnesota Twins (48-47) sit atop the AL Central with a 1.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians (46-48) and a 5-game lead over the Detroit Tigers (42-51), but any team is a hot stretch away from snatching the throne.
While the pitching staff has been the best in Major League Baseball this year, offense in the Twin Cities has been hard to come by and much of the blame has justly fallen on the shoulders of star shortstop Carlos Correa. After a tenure that brought a World Series championship to Houston that was highlighted by stellar postseason play and two All-Star selections, Minnesota could not have been more excited to sign Correa to be the face of the franchise in 2022 and bring home the team’s first World Series since 1991.
After last offseason’s free agent circus in which Correa opted out of his deal with the Twins, signed a mammoth 13-year, $350 million contract with the San Francisco Giants (which was voided after an issue Correa’s ankle emerged during a physical exam), a massive deal with the New York Mets for 12-years, $315 million (who also found an issue Correa’s ankle during a physical exam), and then finally re-signed with the Twins on a 6-year, $200 million (with incentives that could push the deal to $270 million if hit), Correa has not been worth the Brinks truck that he earned from the Twins… yet.
To put it lightly: Correa has gotten off to a slow start and has not appeared to be “the guy” in Minnesota this season. To put his first half into perspective, there was a time in May when Correa was batting .185/.261/.363… ouch.
To make matters worse, the team’s numbers at the plate in 2023 have been nearly identical to Correa’s; Correa is batting .232/.308/.409 and the team .234/.312/.405. If this offense wants to be competitive and on par with the pitching staff, Correa needs to be the leader and help carry this offense.
Good news… There is reason for optimism with positive trends for Correa at the plate and his new slot in the lineup. In July, Correa has slashed .326/.404/.413 and in the leadoff spot, .340/.421/.440. Paired with his stellar defense at short, those numbers back up why Correa has earned and deserves his hefty paycheck.
The Twins have every opportunity to reach the postseason this season in the weak AL Central, and Correa’s offensive production will be vital to the team’s success in the second half. Additionally, the team can be active on the trade market with the intention of adding more hitters with the trade deadline being two weeks from today.
The Twins will play the Seattle Mariners (47-46) tonight at 9:40pm ET in Seattle, Washington.
