Carlos Correa

The San Francisco Giants have held face-to-face meetings with agent Scott Boras regarding free-agent clients Carlos Correa and Brandon Nimmo, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Neither player has visited the Giants' home stadium, Oracle Park, as of yet.

Correa hit .291 (.834 OPS) with 22 home runs and 64 RBI for the Minnesota Twins last year. The 28-year-old shortstop is a two-time All-Star who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Houston Astros.

Nimmo hit .274 (.800 OPS) with 16 home runs, 64 RBI and an NL-high seven triples for the New York Mets in 2022. The outfielder, who turns 30 years old in March, has played all seven of his MLB campaigns with the Mets.

The Giants are clearly searching for big names in this year's free-agent market after a disappointing 81-81 season, which followed a 107-win campaign in 2021 that ended with a National League Division Series defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Giants are believed to have offered reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge a $360 million contract.

Correa is one of the top players remaining, especially after shortstop Trea Turner agreed to a $300 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Chicago Cubs are in on Correa, though, with Jon Morosi of MLB Network reporting that the two sides met Monday.

A host of teams are also chasing after Nimmo, per Heyman.

Ultimately, the Giants need to improve a lineup that posted a mediocre .705 OPS (eighth in the National League) with a .234 batting average (12th).

Correa and/or Nimmo would certainly help improve their order, and we could soon find out how everything will shake out with the winter meetings already underway.

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly in the market for a season-altering shortstop.

Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reported the North Siders met with free agent Carlos Correa in San Diego on Monday. Jon Morosi of MLB Network confirmed the news.

Chicago's interest in Correa is not new, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today noted it pursued him last offseason before he joined the Minnesota Twins. Nightengale also pointed out that the Cubs' "top priority" is Xander Bogaerts, underscoring the team's desire to add a shortstop.

Morosi suggested the Cubs are also a potential landing spot for Dansby Swanson.

Interestingly, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported the Cubs could ultimately sign two of the three star shortstops remaining on the market, with Bogaerts and Swanson as the likely combination:

The shortstop market is under the spotlight Monday after ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan reported the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to an 11-year, $300 million deal with Trea Turner.

Perhaps that sets the market, but it isn't a stretch to suggest Correa is the better player.

The former Houston Astros and Twins star is in the middle of his prime at 28 years old and features a resume that includes a World Series crown, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove and two All-Star selections.

Correa slashed .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI last season for Minnesota while being responsible for three defensive runs saved above average, per FanGraphs. That was a dropoff from the head-turning 20 DRS he posted in 2021 that earned him a Platinum Glove, but it's still a solid number.

He is an ideal fit in Chicago for more than just his talent, though, as it would allow the team to move Nico Hoerner to second base and maximize the defense up the middle of the diamond.

Correa could also be the face of the next contending Cubs team after missing the playoffs the last two seasons. Chicago went to three straight National League Championship Series from 2015 through 2017 and won a World Series crown in 2016 but has taken a step back of late despite playing in a major market.

Nightengale noted the front office has "boldly said they plan to build a contender, significantly raising their payroll," and Correa would be quite the starting point.

The shortstop market was always going to be a focus of Major League Baseball's free agency period this offseason, and that was certainly the case Monday.

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan reported the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to an 11-year, $300 million deal with a no-trade clause with shortstop Trea Turner. It is a head-turning deal with the security of a number of years and the no-trade clause, and he joins a team that reached the World Series just last season.

Turner's resume includes a World Series title with the Washington Nationals, a batting title, a Silver Slugger and two All-Star selections, so he will surely be a key piece in Philadelphia's already formidable lineup.

The question now is where Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson end up.

While all three are impressive players who will be major additions for whichever teams sign them, Correa is likely the headliner at 28 years old with accomplishments that include a World Series crown, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove and two All-Star selections.

If Turner landed $300 million, that could be just a starting point for Correa.

The best fit for the former Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins shortstop is the Chicago Cubs. There is already known interest in place, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the National League Central team "jumped into the Correa sweepstakes" last offseason before he joined the Twins and "are also exploring the market" this offseason.

Chicago went to three straight National League Championship Series and won a World Series from 2015 through 2017 and should be looking to become competitive again in one of the sport's biggest markets.

Correa would allow Nico Hoerner to move to second base, provide elite defense up the middle of the diamond, doesn't come with draft pick compensation and is in the middle of his prime. He could be the face of the next true contender in the Windy City, and the team has reportedly demonstrated plenty of interest.

As for Bogaerts, his ideal fit would be with the San Diego Padres.

While that may seem like something of a wild-card pick considering Fernando Tatís Jr. is the team's shortstop, John Tomase of NBC Sports highlighted the versatility signing Bogaerts would sign for a lineup that would become arguably the top in the entire league.

"Bogaerts could easily move incumbent Ha-Seong Kim to a utility role while allowing Tatis to become a full-time outfielder, once his PED suspension ends.

"Imagine a lineup built around [Manny] Machado, Tatís, [Juan] Soto and Bogaerts. That's as good a top four as any offense in the game, and Padres GM A.J. Preller has a bit of a fantasy approach to lineup construction; ie., go get the best players and figure out how they fit later."

That leaves Swanson, who is something of a consolation prize just because of how talented the shortstop market is this offseason.

He was still an All-Star and Gold Glover just last season and is in the middle of his prime at 28 years old. Enter the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are always in win-now mode and seemingly need a shortstop after losing Turner to the Phillies.

Swanson may be a bit cheaper than the other options, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported last month "the Dodgers seem to view him as a very viable and interesting option."

He would reunite with former Atlanta Braves teammate Freddie Freeman and immediately bolster the team's chances at competing for a World Series against the likes of the San Francisco Giants, Phillies and others.

The Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for a shortstop, and they're set to meet with some of the best available at the position before winter meetings begin on Monday in San Diego.

The Phillies have set meetings with Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson, per The Athletic's Jayson Stark. The team is expected to meet with Bogaerts and Correa this weekend, while meetings with Turner and Swanson may have already taken place.

The Phillies have emerged as the favorite to sign Turner, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, and he is expected to land a deal worth at least $30 million per year, regardless of where he ends up.

Turner spent the last season-and-a-half with the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning an All-Star Game selection and a Silver Slugger award in 2022 after slashing .298/.343/.466 with 21 home runs, 100 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 160 games.

While the Phillies are viewed as the favorite to sign Turner, he has no shortage of suitors this winter. The Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants have been mentioned as potential destinations.

Bogaerts has an obvious connection to the Phillies as president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski served in the same role with the Boston Red Sox, the star shortstop's former club, from 2015 to '19.

Bogaerts had spent his entire 10-year career with the Red Sox before becoming a free agent this winter. Like Turner, he also earned an All-Star Game selection and a Silver Slugger award in 2022 after slashing .307/.377/.456 with 15 home runs, 73 RBI and eight stolen bases in 150 games.

Correa, meanwhile, spent the 2022 season the Minnesota Twins after beginning his career with the Houston Astros. He hit .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI in 136 games. He opted out of the remainder of his contract with the Twins in search of a more lucrative deal in free agency.

Swanson spent his entire seven-year career with the Atlanta Braves before becoming a free agent. He earned an All-Star Game selection and a Gold Glove award in 2022 after hitting .277/.329/.447 with 25 home runs, 96 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 162 games.

During the 2022 campaign, the Phillies relied on Jean Segura and Bryson Stott at shortstop. Segura is a free agent and Stott, 25, will be entering just his second major league season in 2023. Thus, the Phillies want someone more proven.

After reaching the World Series in 2022, the Phillies could be just one superstar piece away from winning it all in 2023.

The Chicago Cubs reportedly plan on having a new shortstop for the 2023 season.

"They are basically involved in all the main shortstops out there in free agency," MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported. "They are broadly active in terms of what we could see with the shortstop market. Carlos Correa is on their list, Trea Turner is on their list. Xander Bogaerts is on their list, as is Dansby Swanson. I think that the two main guys they're showing the most interest in right now are Correa and Turner."

Morosi went on to point out that the North Siders were interested in Correa ahead of the 2022 campaign as well. He also noted the shortstop has a "longstanding affinity for the Cubs and their history," making the team the "favorite" to land the coveted free agent at this point.

While Correa signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins last offseason, it featured an opt-out clause that he exercised with the final two years remaining.

That could end up being welcome news for the Cubs, who are looking to return to the form they demonstrated from 2015 through 2017 with three straight National League Championship Series appearances and one World Series crown.

They are coming off two successive losing seasons and have not had the star power to compete with the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central.

Correa is someone who could help change that with a resume that includes an American League Rookie of the Year, a World Series crown, two All-Star selections and a Gold Glove. He just slashed .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI this past season with the Twins.

Turner would be anything but a consolation prize considering he is a two-time All-Star with a World Series championship, batting title and Silver Slugger under his belt.

It is notable the Cubs seem locked in on the shortstop market considering Nico Hoerner was one of the few bright spots on the team in 2022. Yet the 25-year-old's versatility is one of the best things about his game, and the team could move him to second base if it means adding one of the premier shortstops on the market.

Chicago may need upgrades at starting pitcher, center field and first base as well if it is going to turn into a legitimate contender this offseason, but signing a star shortstop could help it significantly close the gap with the Brewers and Cardinals.

Record-breaking New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge reportedly headlines a group of nine MLB players expected to receive contracts of at least $100 million this offseason.

One player, New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz, already joined the nine-figure club by signing a $102 million extension. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported other members of the group expected to join Diaz and Judge via free agency, which opens Thursday at 5 p.m. ET:

• SS Trea Turner (Los Angeles Dodgers)
• SS Carlos Correa (Minnesota Twins)
• SS Xander Bogaerts (Boston Red Sox)
• SS Dansby Swanson (Atlanta Braves)
• OF Brandon Nimmo (New York Mets)
• SP Carlos Rodón (San Francisco Giants)
• SP Jacob deGrom (New York Mets)

Nimmo is the only name on the list that may catch some people by surprise given his modest counting stats across seven seasons with the Mets. He's recorded just 63 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 608 career appearances.

That said, the 29-year-old center fielder gets on base at a high rate (.385 career on-base percentage) and plays solid defense (six outs above average in 2022, per FanGraphs).

Agent Scott Boras said Wednesday a "majority" of teams have already called him about Nimmo.

"You are looking at a guy that there are no center fielders in our game that are available," Boras told reporters. "And then you add leadoff to that and then you add ... on-base percentage to that, and he's an excellent defender and then also he can play in New York. When you have those elements that are there, he becomes a very integral part of what we found for a team to win 100 games. He's a very proven commodity and there are very few that can replace him."

Otherwise, two intriguing storylines early in free agency will be whether the Yankees can keep pace in the Judge sweepstakes and which star shortstop signs first to set the market at the position.

New York can't afford to lose Judge and expect to remain a top-tier contender in the American League. He carried the club's offense for extended stretches in 2022 en route to setting the new AL home run record with 62.

As Boras alluded, there aren't many great options available in center field, and even the dropoff from Judge to Nimmo is rather significant. So the ability to re-sign the 6'7'' slugger is a make-or-break situation for the Yanks.

Meanwhile, all four of the top-tier shortstops available should surpass the $100 million mark if they're willing to sign long-term deals.

Swanson, who's often ranked fourth on the list and could sign first to help set the baseline for the others, finds himself in a similar situation to Freddie Freeman last offseason. He's spent his entire career with the Braves but hits the market without a new deal.

"Business is business, man. It's not always the fun part about the game," Swanson said last week on 92.9 The Game. "I wish it was just one plus one, but it never seems to be that way."

Freeman left to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Swanson may follow him out the Truist Park door, leaving Atlanta with a void at shortstop.

All told, a lot of money is going to get spent over the next few months and, given the high-end talent available, the clubs willing to open their checkbooks could put themselves at the forefront of the 2023 championship chase.

As the Atlanta Braves watch the 2022 World Series unfold without them, they're planning to regroup and reload in the offseason. Atlanta won 101 games during the regular season but was ousted in the divisional round by the eventual NL champion Philadelphia Phillies.

High on the Braves' to-do list is working out a new deal with All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson. The 28-year-old was an integral part of last year's championship team, and he returned on a one-year, $10 million deal following arbitration.

Now an impending free agent, Swanson will hit the open market five days after the World Series ends if Atlanta doesn't first reach an extension.

Atlanta wants Swanson back, and according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, there is mutual interest, and the team has made an opening offer:

"The Braves made an opening offer in-season to star shortstop Dansby Swanson, and sources suggested it was in the $100 million ballpark. The friend thought Swanson, a Georgia product, preferred to stay in Atlanta. That’s probably just a start, but it sounded like there’s work to do. (Our expert’s pick was 75 percent higher)."

The Braves' interest in locking up Swanson is logical. He's young, plays a vital position and is coming off arguably his best season in the majors. In his inaugural All-Star campaign, Swanson batted .277 with 25 home runs and 96 RBI. He also received his first Gold Glove Award.

Fortunately, it sounds like the Braves have a good chance of retaining Swanson in the offseason. Until he puts pen to paper, however, there remains a chance that they could lose him.

This is why Atlanta should, and reportedly does, have a backup plan in place. That plan appears to involve Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner.

There has been speculation that Turner would prefer to play on the East Coast, and according to Heyman, Turner is on Atlanta's radar:

"As for Turner, the latest rumor has the Braves as a possible fit if they fail to keep the Atlanta product Swanson (they also like Correa). The Cardinals, Phillies and Red Sox are among other potential spots closer to his supposed geographic preference (he’s from Lake Worth, Fla.; his wife New Jersey)."

Heyman also mentioned Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, who plans to opt out. Turner, though, would seem to be the most likely target, if he is indeed looking to play out East.

The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reported last month that the Dodgers and Turner did not engage in extension talks during the season.

"The Dodgers informed Turner shortly before the start of the year they wouldn’t make him a formal offer, and there haven’t been any discussions between the two sides about an extension since," Ardaya wrote.

The 29-year-old is coming off of back-to-back All-Star campaigns and was the NL batting champion and stolen-base leader in 2021. This past season, he hit .298 with 21 home runs and 100 RBI to go with 27 stolen bases.

Like Swanson, Turner has World Series experience. He's also seasoned against National League pitchers, having played for the Washington Nationals before joining L.A. in 2021.

In short, Turner is a similarly young and top-end player who would seamlessly replace Swanson as a long-term building block in Atlanta. Correa—who is 28 years old and also a former champion and two-time All-Star—is a wonderful Plan C.

This is a good offseason to be in the shortstop market, and it provides the Braves with quality alternatives at the position. While Atlanta and its fans would probably prefer to just keep the home-grown Swanson in the fold, losing him won't necessarily end in disaster.

To avoid shortstop becoming a weakness, however, the Braves must be prepared to pivot when and if extension talks with Swanson hit a snag. While there are alternatives, they won't remain available for long.