Momentum in the Carlos Correa Derby? And it's now time for Willets Point to be rejuvenated

Correa still prefers to join the Mets as the reported offers from other teams were, "unsolicited."

Tom Hagerty

What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎

• Despite the slow progress, the Mets are still seen as the favorites to complete a deal for Carlos Correa (NY Post)

• Watching Carlos Correa’s free agency drama play out in the media is a lesson in keeping things close to the vest until a deal is finalized (USA Today)

• Why has the shortstop’s free agency been filled with more twists than Knives Out: Glass Onion (CBS Sports)

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Carlos Correa Watch: Day 20 🚨

On December 21st, the Mets and Carlos Correa reportedly agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract. However, after undergoing a physical later that week, the Mets raised similar concerns to that of the Giants over Correa’s leg. San Francisco had originally agreed with Correa on a 13-year, $350 million contract the week prior.

In 2014, Correa broke his fibula and sustained ligament damage close to his ankle, requiring surgery to remedy. Correa has never missed any time due to the injury in the major leagues. Correa has missed only 42 of a possible 384 games since the start of the 2020 season, much of which came in 2022 after being placed on the COVID-19 injured list midyear.

Both Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen and Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, are on record discussing the contract, with both instances taking place before Correa took a physical with the Mets.

If the deal gets completed, Correa will join the Mets as their new regular third baseman…

January 8 - MLB Network Radio (Bowden), New York Post

• The Mets and Correa are getting closer to a deal as the two sides finish up the language. “It will get done.”

• The offers from other teams for Correa were, “unsolicited,” and Correa still prefers to join the Mets regardless of outside interest

January 7 - Tyler Ward

• At an event to promote the Willets Point development program, Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen said he expects the negotiation with Carlos Correa to come to an end one way or another soon

January 6 - SNY, Athletic, Daily News

• The Mets have grown frustrated in their talks with Scott Boras, and are considering walking away entirely from the negotiation

• Despite the frustration, the Mets still would still like to work through their issues in the negotiation

• The Twins would still be interested in signing Correa, but believe their only shot at him is if his deal with the Mets falls apart

January 5 - SNY, New York Post, Links

• Scott Boras is in contact with at least one other team for Correa, including the Twins who originally offered a 10-year, $285 million contract for him to return to Minnesota

• Many of the conversations and dialogue taking place between the Mets and Carlos Correa’s camp are between lawyers, but they are progressing towards a resolution

• The two sides could finalize their revised contract by the end of the week

• The basic terms of the deal - 12 years, $315 million - are unlikely to change much

• The Mets are intent on reducing their risk in the deal which would include language that protects them against an injury to his surgically repaired leg/ankle, which could make a part of the $315 million less than fully guaranteed

January 4 - SNY

• The Mets’ deal with Correa is “going to get done,” per Britt Ghiroli

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Stories to read 🔗

• Is this a $315 million game of chicken between Scott Boras and the Mets?

• An assessment on the state of affairs between the Mets and Correa

• Mets and Correa/Boras have every reason to make this deal go through

• Mets share similar concerns to Giants over Correa’s physical

• The Carlos Correa domino effect

• Mets, Carlos Correa agree to 12-year, $315 million contract

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Time to invest in not only the Mets but in the surrounding area ✍🏻

Christine Espino

Perhaps I was spoiled by my visit to PNC Park in Pittsburgh, but after the trip Citi Field was a disappointment. Sure the chop shops have become synonymous with the area going back to the Shea days but it could be so much more.

On game days in Pittsburgh, the Pirates and the city shut down the Roberto Clemente bridge so fans can walk across to the bridge. The surrounding area is gorgeous with a riverwalk and a street full of restaurants and bars, so there is plenty to do before any game. They also have a block party vibe with a band, food trucks, and other vendors so you can wander and immerse yourself in a cultural wonderland before the game. They also have statues of legendary Pirates located in different areas outside the stadium to greet fans as they entered the ballpark.

Even the team store has two floors and has every jersey possible from retired players on down.

In a way, returning home to Citi Field after that trip seemed like a big let down.

Inside, Citi is gorgeous with a variety of amazing foods. In the summer, the setting sun drapes the ballpark in ways few others can replicate.

But the outside does not match its inside, to say the least. Ebbs is an option now to have a drink or some food before the game, but outside of that pre-gaming and trying to find a shopping cart pretzel in the parking lot is fans’ only other option. While that does have its charm, it is about time someone decided to build up the area to attract more fans to the area and give Citi Field a diverse and cultural surrounding which is inviting 365 days a year.

While all the attention has been turned to Carlos Correa, Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen meeting with the community on Saturday afternoon at the ballpark to get input from members of the community about the area is a positive step in the right direction to begin truly rejuvenating the surrounding area of Citi Field and Willets Point. It shows he is not only committed to the team itself, but truly dedicated to investing in the safety, modernization and overall appeal of it’s surrounding area in Willets Point to improve the fan experience. Obviously, there is money to be made especially if a casino gets green-lit, but none of this would have been even on the radar of the previous regime.

And even if we may not agree on all of the designs on business in the area, there isn’t anyone who believes improving the area will not only be good for Mr. Cohen and the Mets, but the community itself and in-turn, New York City. How that’s done will always be up for debate but this needs to happen in the immediate term.

No matter how bad the Pirates are, people will flock to that ballpark for its beauty and for the experience. Hopefully the Mets can follow their lead in that regard, but diverge heavily when it comes to the product on the field.

For more information on the project, visit QueensFuture.com.

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Hot Stove 🔥

• Sending good thoughts to White Sox closer Liam Hendriks who has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and will begin treatment (ESPN)

• The Marlins are shopping four of their starting pitchers: Pablo López, Edward Cabrera, Trevor Rogers, and Jesus Lazardo (USA Today)

• The Yankees are one of the teams consistently pursuing a trade for Bryan Reynolds (New York Post)

• With the Hall of Fame balloting winding down it looks like Scott Rolen has the best chance at getting into Cooperstown (MLB.com)

• The Diamondbacks are reportedly considering selling a minority share of the franchise (USA Today)