Correa clearly desires a long-term relationship

MINNEAPOLIS — The biggest question poised to impact the Twins’ offseason is, Will Carlos Correa field the Minnesota uniform again in 2023?

Technically, that decision rests with Correa, who has signed a three-year, $105.3 million deal with players dropping out after each of the first two seasons. He has up to five days after the conclusion of the World Series to make that call. But the shortstop hinted on Thursday he believes his future with the Twins could instead depend on the club’s willingness to sign him.

“If I go to the mall and I go to the Dior store, if I want something, I can get it,” Correa said after a 4-3 loss to the White Sox in the Target Field final. “I ask how much it costs and I buy it. If you really want something, just get it. I am the product here. If they want my product, they just have to get it.”

Ever since Correa stunned the baseball world by signing with the twins in March after the lockout that affected his free hand, it’s widely expected that he’ll step out of the remaining two seasons of his contract to recapture the market upon completion test season.

And Correa’s comments seemingly further reinforced that belief.

When specifically asked if he made his decision, Correa said he didn’t and that his focus remains on helping the Twins win their last six games of the regular season. He noted that it’s a decision that’s “never easy.”

But his end-of-season comments have reinforced the notion that he prefers his next move to be a long-term deal, and his statement on Thursday seems to signal he’s looking for a contract extension if he wants to stay in Minnesota.

“I want a long-term relationship with someone,” Correa also told the St. Paul Pioneer Press earlier in the week. “I want to get married. I don’t just want to go out and have one night stands. I want to get married to an organization.

“If they see me the same way and see me as the perfect cast, then they’re going to make it happen.”

Correa said he and the twins have yet to have formal talks about his future.

“Some people have come up to me and said they want to talk and this and that, but there haven’t been any talks yet,” Correa said.

Correa has said since arriving here that he loved his time in Minnesota and has strong beliefs in leading the team and in its future. Throughout the year he has spoken about the future of the Twins as if it were his own as he spoke of Jose Miranda, Royce Lewis and other exciting young players who will play a huge part in the team for years to come.

Correa had a big voice in the clubhouse – a clear leader of a mostly young space – and has backed it with a 5.1 WAR season according to Baseball-Reference.com. It’s by far the highest on the team due to his 21 homers and .824 OPS while playing premium defense.

“The experience with the organization was great,” said Correa. “I was treated with the utmost respect. The fans treated me like I was one of theirs everywhere I went. From the moment I walked into this clubhouse I felt welcome. I felt like I was part of a big family. That’s how I feel. I will have brothers here forever and a long time.”

The respect and pleasure go both ways, but it seems the twins’ ability to retain his services will depend on their willingness to pay him.

“Yes, we’ve talked a lot about Carlos,” said President and CEO Dave St. Peter. “He was everything we could have wished for. On the field he was an elite player. Off the field, he was an elite individual and leader and someone who meddled with our community.

“So we feel very comfortable with Carlos. I think he feels the same way. He’s in a unique situation. We knew that when we signed that deal and we’ll have to see how that plays out, but we certainly have an interest in seeing him twin in 2023 and beyond. I can assure you that.”