Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez suffered a left upper arm contusion in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins, the team announced.

Per MLB.com's Jason Beck, Baez "seemed to be dealing with discomfort" after he was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning. He was replaced by Victor Reyes in the bottom of the sixth.

Baez was placed on the 10-day injured list April 16 with right thumb soreness. He suffered the injury while celebrating his Opening Day walk-off hit against the Chicago White Sox on April 8.

The 29-year-old joined the Tigers this season on a six-year, $140 million deal after spending at least part of eight seasons with the Chicago Cubs and a short stint with the New York Mets in 2021.

In 138 games split between the Cubs and Mets last season, Baez slashed .265/.319/.494 with 31 home runs and 87 RBI. He hasn't lived up to his contract this season, hitting .218/.259/.634 with nine home runs and 36 RBI through 81 games.

The Tigers were 38-57 entering Sunday, fourth place in the AL Central.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Friday a pair of legendary first basemen, the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols and Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera, will take part in the 2022 All-Star Game as legacy selections.

These two legends will be playing in the #AllStarGame!

See you in LA, @PujolsFive and @MiguelCabrera. pic.twitter.com/4oSTm2HtFx

— MLB (@MLB) July 8, 2022

The league will celebrate their career accomplishments as part of the 92nd Midsummer Classic, which will take place July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Manfred said in a statement:

I am delighted that Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera have agreed to participate in the All-Star Game. Albert and Miguel are two of the most accomplished players of their generation. They have also represented the baseball traditions of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela with excellence for the last two decades. Albert and Miguel are two all-time greats whose achievements warrant this special recognition.

Pujols announced in March he will retire following the 2022 season. Cabrera told ESPN's Sage Steele last year that he plans to play out his contract (via Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press). His eight-year, $248 million deal is guaranteed through 2023.

They are two of the best pure hitters of their generation.

Pujols has compiled a .296/.374/.541 slash line across 3,016 games with the Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers. He debuted with St. Louis in 2001 and returned to the Cards for the 2022 season to put the final touches on his Hall of Fame career.

Final season, final All-Star Game!@PujolsFive is heading to LA! pic.twitter.com/8PJ6AjYCt3

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 8, 2022

Cabrera, 39, reached the 3,000-hit plateau this season after surpassing the 500-homer mark in 2021. His career slash line stands at .310/.386/.528 after 2,657 appearances.

He's no longer the Triple Crown threat he was during his peak seasons, hitting just three long balls in 70 games this season, but he's still put up a .347 on-base percentage in 2022.

3,000 hits, 600 doubles, 500 home runs and now his 12th All Star appearance.

Miguel Cabrera has been selected to the American League All-Star team by Commissioner Rob Manfred for his accomplishments as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. pic.twitter.com/RFSwt7eFBz

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 8, 2022

Cabrera started his career with the Florida Marlins in 2003 before arriving in Detroit in 2008. He and Pujols have combined for 23 All-Star selections, 13 Silver Slugger Awards, five MVP Awards and three World Series titles.

Starters for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game will be announced Friday night followed by the full roster reveal Sunday.

The Detroit Tigers have started the season just 26-42, already leaving them 11.5 games out of first place in the AL Central, and major question marks have emerged about general manager Al Avila and manager A.J. Hinch.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, some rival executives "question whether Avila is creative and savvy enough to build a consistent winner," while folks in Detroit "wonder if Hinch might bolt, pointing to an April 2021 report that said his contract included an opt-out clause."

Avila has denied that Finch's deal—which reportedly runs through the 2025 season—has that clause, however.

In parts of two seasons with the Tigers, Hinch has led the team to a 103-127 record after finishing third in the AL Central last season.

As Rosenthal noted, a lot has gone wrong outside of Hinch's control. Casey Mize and Matt Manning have dealt with injuries, while one of the team's prized additions in free agency this offseason, Eduardo Rodriguez, has been on the restricted list since June 13 and was injured prior to that move.

That has left the Tigers without three-fifths of their starting rotation for a healthy chunk of the season.

Meanwhile, the team's other major offseason addition, infielder Javier Baez, has struggled this year (.209 with five homers and 19 RBI). Jonathan Schoop, Jeimer Candelario and Robbie Grossman have also surprisingly struggled at the plate after strong 2021 seasons.

And help likely isn't inbound from the farm system in the immediate future, with many of their top prospects coming from the past two drafts. While that could give them some ammunition to trade for veteran players, it would be nonsensical for a team likely already out of playoff contention to make win-now moves.

The better option is becoming sellers come the Aug. 2 trade deadline.

So unless the Tigers are savvy spenders in free agency next winter—or undergo some significant internal improvement—the club could be a few years away from legitimate contention, at best.

For Hinch, who regularly had the Houston Astros in the mix before he was fired amid the team's sign-stealing scandal, perhaps that wait won't be worth the trouble.

Amid their struggles this season, the Detroit Tigers are hoping to get a spark from top prospect Riley Greene.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, Greene will be called up prior to Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers and be the team's full-time center fielder.

There was hope that Greene would make the Tigers' Opening Day roster, but he fractured his foot late in spring training after fouling a pitch against the New York Yankees.

Greene made his season debut on May 27 with the Tigers' Single-A affiliate in Lakeland, Florida. He was called up to Triple-A after two games. The 21-year-old is hitting .279/.347/.382 with one homer and four stolen bases in 17 minor league contests.

The Tigers selected Greene with the No. 5 pick in the 2019 draft. He received a $6.2 million signing bonus two days later.

In 198 career minor league games, Greene has a .291/.372/.483 slash line with 30 homers, 120 RBI and 25 stolen bases.

Greene is the No. 2 prospect in Major League Baseball, per MLB.com. He's ranked behind Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, who was called up to the big leagues last month.

"The weight of the world is not on his shoulders," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters about calling up Greene. "We have a lot of guys that need to pick up the slack...If we expect him to be the sole reason for an offensive turnaround, that’s completely unfair to him."

According to MLB.com's scouting report, Greene has "a potent combination of hit and power tools from the left side" with "power that has gone from raw strength to in-game prowess with some added muscle."

The addition of Greene comes at a time when the Tigers are trying to find an identity amid their ongoing rebuild. The front office did spend money during the offseason to sign Javier Baez and Eduardo Rodriguez.

Things haven't gone as planned in Detroit. Rodriguez hasn't pitched since May 18 because of a rib injury and subsequent personal matter. Baez has a .524 OPS in 51 games. Spencer Torkelson, who was the team's No. 2 prospect coming into 2022, per The Athletic's Keith Law, has been a disappointment with a .569 OPS in 57 games.

The Tigers' 24-39 record is the third-worst mark in the American League entering Friday. Greene alone won't change their fortunes, but he has the potential to provide a much-needed spark to a team that has failed to live up to even slightly elevated expectations.

The Detroit Tigers called up 26-year-old infielder and outfielder Kody Clemens to the major leagues on Monday. 

Ready for launch!#Tigers No. 17 prospect per @MLBPipeline INF/OF Kody Clemens has been recalled from Triple A Toledo. pic.twitter.com/owmb9CluBU

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 30, 2022

Clemens is the youngest son of former MLB pitcher Roger Clemens. 

Kody Clemens will begin his MLB career wearing No. 21, his father's number with the Red Sox and Blue Jays

— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) May 30, 2022

Clemens, a third-round pick of the Tigers in 2018 (No. 79 overall), is the club's No. 17 overall prospect, per MLB.com. 

In 45 games for Triple-A Toledo this season he's hitting .283 with eight homers, 31 RBI, 27 runs, 52 strikeouts and an .844 OPS in 45 games. In 97 Triple-A games last season he hit 18 homers and 59 RBI. 

"We don't need him to be superman," manager A.J. Hinch told reporters on Monday. "He's not the answer to all of our problems, but this is an opportunity for him to elbow his way into the big leagues for the first time, and he's earned that. ... He's performed his way here."

In a corresponding roster move, the Tigers put outfielder Robbie Grossman on the 10-day injured list (neck strain).

"If [Clemens] can come up and do what he's done in Triple-A, it'll be a nice boost for us and a nice addition to the lineup," Hinch added. "It's going to create some crazy defensive alignments. Replacing Robbie, who's all outfield, with an infielder is a challenge, but his bat is what got him here."

Clemens has played first base (eight games), second base (18 games), third base (11 games) and left field (10 games) this season for Toledo. He also played 24 games in right field for Toledo last season, so Clemens has the ability to operate as a true utility man for the Tigers. 

His primary position, however, has been second base in his young career. Jonathan Schoop has that covered for the Tigers, so Clemens will likely serve as a corner infielder and corner outfielder during his time in Detroit.

"We've been very careful with when we're going to call him up," Hinch said. "Putting him on the bench makes you feel better, but it might not make you any closer to winning. But his name has been tossed around a couple different times. Now, we're going to force him into the lineup."

Not that he really needed to in order to bolster his dual reputations as a future Hall of Famer and one of Major League Baseball's most beloved players, but Miguel Cabrera just joined the 3,000 Hit Club anyway.

His single off Antonio Senzatela on Saturday sealed his place: 

For your viewing pleasure:

Miguel Cabrera’s 3000th hit 🙌 @tigers pic.twitter.com/HG8LkCtTIM

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) April 23, 2022

After collecting hit Nos. 2,997, 2,998 and 2,999 on Wednesday, Cabrera's big moment could have happened amid the Detroit Tigers' 3-0 win over the New York Yankees on Thursday. Instead, the slugger went 0-fer in his first three at-bats and was given first base on an intentional walk with a base open and two outs in the bottom of the eighth.

Perhaps needless to say, the thousands packed into Comerica Park were about as displeased as the thousands more watching from home: 

Miguel Cabrera gets intentionally walked with 2999 hits pic.twitter.com/cfWDMArDed

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 21, 2022

No matter, according to Cabrera himself. In keeping with the mindset he expressed Wednesday, he told reporters after the game that he was happy to get the win. And besides, "My on-base percentage went up."

Already a member of the 500 Home Run Club, the 39-year-old became just the 33rd player to record 3,000 hits in the major leagues. He and Albert Pujols are the only active members in the club, and it's anyone's guess who'll be next. Only three other players—Robinson Cano, Yadier Molina and Joey Votto—have as many as 2,000 hits, and they're all in their late 30s.

All the more reason, then, to press pause and appreciate what Cabrera has done on the road to 3,000 hits. And not just with his bat. While that may be the thing that's earned him a place in baseball history, it's as much because of his personality that he'll be remembered long after his playing days are over.

---

Appreciating Miguel Cabrera, The Hitting Machine

Before we get into the numbers, the record should show that Cabrera's greatness in the batter's box can be measured just as effectively in anecdotes.

It seems that anybody who's ever shared a dugout with the guy can only speak in flabbergasted terms about his batting practice displays. Take it from former Tigers ace Justin Verlander, as told to Jason Beck of MLB.com last August:

“There’s a batting practice in Minnesota [at Target Field], and I’ve never seen anybody else do this: His last round of hitting, it was three pitches. He went upper deck in right-center field in that corner. The next pitch, he went upper-deck center field over those two guys that are shaking hands. And then he went upper-deck left field. He comes out of the cage laughing, but he knows what he did is pretty badass, even though he plays it down.

Read enough articles about Cabrera, and you're bound to come across similar versions of this story from other players and coaches, friend and foe alike. They all express a common appreciation and a sort of unspoken consensus, that what Cabrera can do when he puts bat to ball simply is not normal.

Plus, you know a guy is an all-time great hitter when even another all-time great hitter can't help but stan for him, as Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto did on Twitter:

@MiguelCabrera I used to low-key creep your at-bats in my hotel room EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, after our games. I knew I had to study the best to beat the best. Good luck with your final steps to 3000. You are a joy to watch.

— Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) April 20, 2022

As for the rest of us, Cabrera's numbers tell his story well enough in their own right. Simply for starters, they make it clear that he indeed had to hit his way to the 3,000 Hit Club.

He wasn't much of an athlete even when he entered the league as a 20-year-old with the Florida Marlins in 2003, so speed has never been a big part of his game. Only 150 of his hits have been of the infield variety, according to FanGraphs. And if it's bunt hits you're looking for, Michael Clair of MLB.com has the story of the one that Cabrera has in his career.

Mashing the ball has more so been his preferred means of collecting hits. His career .532 slugging percentage is telling, but better yet is the company he'll have when his double counter turns from 599 to 600. To have that many doubles, 3,000 hits and 500 home runs will apply to just him and two others:

• Henry Aaron: 3,771 H, 624 2B and 755 HR
• Albert Pujols: 3,308 H, 673 2B and 681 HR

Not to knock either of them, but neither Aaron nor Pujols peaked quite like Cabrera did when he won the Triple Crown and American League MVP in 2012 and then another MVP in 2013. He topped a .330 average and reached 44 home runs both years, making him one of only four hitters to do so in consecutive seasons. The others: Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx and Barry Bonds.

No word south of "prodigious" can adequately describe the kind of power Cabrera had in his prime—seriously, wow—but his home run-hitting prowess is just as much defined by shots like this one from Opening Day of the 2021 season:

A home run to right field? Cabrera has 106 of those, making him the only right-handed hitter on record to cross the century mark in that category. Pujols isn't in there with him, and ditto for fellow 600-homer guys Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa.

At least in the modern game, with great power tends to come great strikeouts. But not with Cabrera. He's never struck out even as many as 150 times in a season, and he didn't punch out so many as 130 times in nine of his 10 seasons of at least 30 home runs. Since the turn of the century, only he, Pujols and Mark Teixeira can claim as many.

As if extraordinary power and a knack for getting the bat on the ball weren't explanation enough for Cabrera's .310 career average, it's easy to remember the times when he was at his best against the best.

He's one of only five players with as many as two home runs off baseball's one and only unanimous Hall of Famer, Mariano Rivera. He also owns home runs off fellow Cooperstowners Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, plus a shot off seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens that he hit en route to winning the World Series with the Marlins in '03.

Other pitching greats who know the sting of Cabrera's bat all too well are two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber and seven-time All-Star Chris Sale. On Cabrera's resume are 10 home runs off the two of them, with a 1.079 OPS against Kluber and a .955 OPS against Sale.

On the occasion of Cabrera's sixth home run off Kluber in 2017, the right-hander had to give it up to him: "That's why he's the best hitter of our generation."

Longevity and durability? Those are caps in Cabrera's hat as well. He's played in more games than anyone dating back to his first full season in 2004, which was also the start of an 11-year reign of utter omnipresence on the field. Between then and 2014, he played in 1,732 of 1,783 possible games. That's 97 percent.

For those who would like a short version of all this, here it is: If it takes a special kind of hitter to get to 3,000 career hits, it only makes sense that a hitter as many different kinds of special as Cabrera would be just about there.

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Appreciating Miguel Cabrera, The Personality

So long as one can grasp concepts like "fun" and "joy," Miguel Cabrera has always been delightfully uncomplicated. Rarely has he shown any pretense that he's doing something other than playing a game for a living.

Never mind blank-faced stares. Smiles are more his style. It doesn't matter whether he's reacting to (skip to 2:45) an increasingly rare infield hit for his 2,997th hit:

Or a pitch that was nasty enough to strike him out but also worthy of a thumbs-up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnwkP3OZzD8?

Or hugging a rival fan because, what the heck, they were both in the same spot in the same moment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Vzo1InUQs?start=27s

There's literally a million of these if you search "Miguel Cabrera" on MLB's YouTube page. That's a guess we're willing to venture, anyway, because it's easier on our fingers than endlessly scrolling for a bottom that simply wouldn't come.

This, apparently, isn't just a disposition that Cabrera wears on top of his uniform when the bright lights come on. Who can forget that time he went full Walter Sobchak when the Tigers dressed up in Zubaz in 2014? Not Torii Hunter, that's for sure. As he told Beck:

“He's funny as hell, like really funny in that clubhouse. We would have story time 45 minutes before the game, how we pumped ourselves up before the game. We'd have to come up with a slogan. And he was excited to do it. Him participating in almost everything we did, wearing the Zumba pants and having fun with it [in 2014]. And Miguel participated in our team parties and team dinners and everything. Superstars don't have to do that, but he did it.

Hunter also added: “Moments like that, it's amazing to me. I know his character, I know his heart and it's a great heart.”

It is, of course, easy to enjoy life when you're young, the best there is at what you do and playing on a team in the middle of a four-year reign as a leading contender. None of these things has been reality for Cabrera for a while now. His offensive might declined as he battled age and injuries between 2017 and 2021, all while the Tigers lost more games than all but one team.

Yet Cabrera has stuck it out, and his importance to the Tigers has taken on a new form as the team seeks to return to contention in 2022. He understands that if he can no longer be an MVP-winning slugger, he can at least be a fully functional figurehead.

He was instrumental in recruiting $140 million free-agent signee Javier Baez, who told Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, “That was one of the biggest [reasons] I wanted to come here, to learn something from Miggy."

Though it was probably going to happen either way, Cabrera might as well have been the one to make top prospect Spencer Torkelson's inclusion on the Tigers' Opening Day roster actually happen. In fact, he was all too glad to hand over the first base job to him.

"We want Torkelson in the lineup, so I'll take the DH," Cabrera said, per Beck. "I'm here to help, go out there and play my best baseball and try to help everybody here."

Despite the team's 5-7 start, all this may yet point Cabrera and the Tigers to a happy ending in 2022. It can only bode well that he seems reenergized by his new standing as the de facto leader. Just like old times, he leads the team with a .308 average.

Regardless of how the final chapter of this season plays out, the current one ended with the most wholesome of bangs. With the Tigers opening a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday afternoon, Cabrera inevitably collected his 3,000th hit and was promptly smothered in cheers and applause from the stands and both dugouts.

Soak 'em up, Miguel. You've earned it.

---

Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted. 

The Detroit Tigers announced Saturday that they placed shortstop Javier Baez on the 10-day injured list because of right thumb soreness.

The move is retroactive to April 13.

Baez, who has missed the last three games, previously revealed that he suffered the injury while celebrating his walk-off hit against the Chicago White Sox on Opening Day back on April 8.

Baez has opened the season 6-for-19 (.316 average) with one home run and four RBI through his first five appearances with the Tigers.

The 29-year-old joined the squad with high expectations after signing a six-year, $140 million contract in the offseason.

A significant injury would be a setback, but Baez has avoided long-term issues throughout his career.

The versatile player only missed one game during the shortened 2020 campaign and appeared in 138 games between the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets in 2021. He finished the year with a .265 average, 31 home runs and 87 RBI.

Baez also spent time at second base with the Mets after previously winning a Gold Glove at shortstop with the Cubs.

The middle infielder had been inconsistent with Chicago prior to the trade, hitting just .248 with a .292 on-base percentage in 91 games. He did have 22 home runs in this span, but his up-and-down play couldn't help Chicago stay within playoff contention before a fire sale ahead of the deadline.

Baez is looking to reestablish himself as one of the game's biggest stars, as long as he can stay healthy.

The Detroit Tigers are reportedly no longer an option for free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa despite their interest earlier in the offseason, according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic. 

ESPN's Buster Olney previously reported that Correa turned down a 10-year, $275 million offer from the Tigers. The team instead signed Javier Baez to a six-year, $140 million deal, which will likely end the pursuit of Correa. 

"The Tigers' baseball people would love to circle back and acquire Correa to play alongside Baez, but owner Chris Ilitch doesn’t want another contract of that magnitude on the books, according to a source," Bowden reported.

Baez has played second and third base at times in his career, but he appears likely to man shortstop for Detroit.

Correa will still draw plenty of interest after a year in which he finished fifth in the AL MVP voting. The 27-year-old hit .279 and posted 26 home runs, 92 RBI and 104 runs to go with a Gold Glove award at shortstop.

The two-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year also has tons of postseason experience with the Houston Astros, hitting 18 home runs across 79 games. He's been to the World Series three times, winning one.

He can put a team over the top as a contender, with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs all linked to the shortstop, per Bowden. 

A return to the Astros is also possible, although Correa would reportedly have to settle for a shorter contract.

The challenge could be finding a team willing to spend big after the new collective bargaining agreement is signed. MLB has focused on keeping a low competitive balance tax line, which could affect spending once the lockout ends.      

Detroit Tigers first base coach Kimera Bartee died Monday at the age of 49, the team announced Tuesday.

Bartee's cause of death is unknown, and the Tigers weren't aware of any illness, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press.

A statement from Tigers EVP/GM Al Avila: pic.twitter.com/4sy6TjnOZs

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 21, 2021

According to Petzold, Bartee collapsed while visiting his father in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Bartee spent four seasons as an outfielder with the Tigers from 1996-99, slashing .227/.289/.312 with four home runs and 32 RBI in 220 games. He also played one season each with the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies at the end of his playing career. 

The Nebraska native began his coaching career with the Baltimore Orioles in 2004 and remained with the franchise through 2007 before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2008-19. He served as Pittsburgh's minor-league baserunning and outfield coordinator for nine seasons before serving as first base coach from 2017-19. 

Bartee then served as the Philadelphia Phillies' minor-league baserunning and bunting coordinator in 2020 before joining the Tigers as the franchise's baserunning and outfield coordinator in 2021. 

Bartee was elevated to first base coach in July after Chip Hale was hired as the University of Arizona's head coach. Tigers head coach A.J. Hinch decided in November to keep him on for the 2022 season. 

Hinch and Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter spoke about Bartee on Twitter:

Words cannot describe my sadness. What we lost in baseball as a players’ coach and mentor with consistent positivity pales in comparison to what his family lost as a fiancée, father, and son. Rest In Peace, KB. 🙏🏻 https://t.co/VeZ7384H0I

— AJ Hinch (@ajhinch) December 21, 2021

A statement from Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch: pic.twitter.com/92IgzQKQWr

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 21, 2021

https://twitter.com/ChrisFetter41/status/1473349149185740802

Bartee is survived by his father, Jerry Bartee, and three children. 

The Detroit Tigers offered star shortstop Carlos Correa a 10-year, $275 million contract this offseason, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. 

However, it's unclear if the offer is still on the table as the Tigers have already signed Javier Baez (six years, $140 million) and Eduardo Rodriguez (five years, $77 million) this winter. 

Correa had been heavily linked to the Tigers due to his relationship with former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, who managed him for his first five seasons (2015 to '19).

It's important to note the deal Detroit offered Correa is $66 million less than what Francisco Lindor (10 years, $341 million) received from the New York Mets and $50 million less than what Corey Seager (10 years, $325 million) received from the Texas Rangers. 

Considering those numbers, it's reasonable to believe Correa is looking for more than $275 million on his next deal. 

In addition to the Tigers, Correa has been linked to several teams this winter, including the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. Astros fans are holding onto hope that the team will re-sign him as well.

However, Houston reportedly offered Correa five years and $160 million before free agency. Olney reports that Astros owner Jim Crane has told his colleagues he won’t make the star shortstop an offer of more than six years, which reinforces the thoughts that Correa will sign elsewhere when the lockout ends. 

Correa is certainly deserving of a major contract. The 27-year-old had one of the best seasons of his career in 2021, slashing .279/.366/.485 with 26 home runs and 92 RBI. He also received his first Gold Glove award last season, further highlighting his success both at the plate and in the field.