Obsessive Carlos Correa Watch: More Specific Proposals, Two Other Pundits Pointing to Cubs, More

In a normal timeline, we might be talking about Carlos Correa and the Cubs with references to Santa Claus and Christmas presents, but with MLB locking out the players, we know there will be no surprise this week. Or next week. Or probably until February at the earliest.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t new things to discuss on the Correa-Cubs front, so this will have to do for your Christmas Eve reading …

⇒ Bruce Levine is doing WORK this week. He dropped the big report earlier about the Cubs’ serious interest in Carlos Correa (mutual interest, even), and then got into some seven-year specifics on ESPN Radio in Houston. Then he followed it up with another appearance on 670 The Score, getting even more specific. There, he was throwing out a hypothetical deal structure where the Cubs would offer Correa seven years and $224 million – a deal that almost certainly wouldn’t get it done, but is arguably better than the 10/$275 million offer from the Tigers. The key, in Levine’s view, is that the offer would come with an opt out after just two years, and would be front-loaded so that those first two years would come at a much higher AAV. Levine’s suggestion was $37 million per year for those first two years (tops Mike Trout’s $35.5 million AAV), so that Correa would, for those two years, be the highest-paid position player in baseball. Then, at age 29, he has the option to opt back out into free agency to top the remaining 5/$150 million remaining on the deal.

⇒ My reactions are: (1) the structure is not crazy or just for show, and MAYBE there are numbers that would make more sense for Correa and the Cubs than a simple 10/$325 million deal (or whatever); (2) the AAV in those first two years is going to have to be muuuuch higher, though, in my view; and (3) I’m still not convinced Correa won’t be able to get his 10-year guarantee *AND* get *MULTIPLE* opt outs after years two, three, four, whatever.

⇒ Jon Morosi also joined The Score to discuss the Correa-Cubs reporting, and he definitely was not poo-poo’ing anything. If the Cubs are willing to spend, Morosi said, the environment has improved for them to land him. Specifically, Morosi thinks the Tigers signing Javy Báez, combined with Correa not signing before the lockout began, combine to make it possible not only that the Cubs could land Correa but also that he might not get a 10-year offer from any team. There are a lot of other conceivable teams, including the Yankees, Braves, Dodgers, and Astros. But even a team like the Cubs makes sense, according to Morosi, because you never know when you can get the same caliber of player on the same kind of deal, so now might be the time to push, even if you don’t think you’re an obvious contender in 2022-23.

⇒ As expected, regardless of the length of the deal, Morosi expects Correa to get the highest AAV of any of the free agent position players this offseason, so you can surmise that he’s not taking a deal that pays him less than $32.5 million annually (the Corey Seager deal).

⇒ For what it’s worth, Cody Decker (who has become a bit of an insider in his post-playing days, and podcasts with Jon Heyman) thinks Correa to the Cubs is a real possibility:

⇒ A general thought here: so far, that’s two connected folks who had an opportunity to throw cold water on the idea that Carlos Correa could wind up with the Cubs, and neither even came close to doing so. This is going to have legs for a bit longer, at least until the lockout ends and (I’m guessing) another big market org or two gets more seriously involved. It happens every offseason. But the Cubs are in this thing.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Latest News

MVC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Tuesday that feature MVC squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores.How to Bet on MVC Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Tuesday postseason college basketball schedule, the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

Marlins vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Friday, Andrew Jacob Puk will take the mound for the Miami Marlins against Martin Perez and the Pittsburgh Pirates, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at LoanDepot park.See how to watch the Miami-Pittsburgh...

Warriors vs. Hornets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Golden State Warriors (38-34) hit the court against the Charlotte Hornets (18-54) as double-digit, 11.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under of 218 points.Dig into the best bets...

Pacers vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) are 2.5-point underdogs as they look to extend a five-game win streak when they visit the Indiana Pacers (41-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game airs at 7:00 PM ET on...

Clippers vs. Magic Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers (45-27) are slightly favored (by 1 point) to continue a three-game road win streak when they visit the Orlando Magic (42-30) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The point total in the matchup...

Wizards vs. Pistons Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Detroit Pistons (12-61) are slight underdogs (by 2.5 points) to stop a five-game road losing streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (14-59) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The over/under is 229 in the matchup.Check...

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV

Spencer Strider will take the mound for the Atlanta Braves when they square off against starter Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you...

more cubs news