Twins shortstop Carlos Correa could be on trade market despite obstacles
The Astros are in the hunt for Correa, who does have a hefty contract with a no-move clause.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
Carlos Correa was an All-Star last season, but has struggled offensively in 2025. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa emerged as an unexpected trade candidate ahead of Thursday’s MLB trade deadline.
The Houston Astros had discussions about trying to trade for Correa, their shortstop for seven seasons before he signed with the Twins as a free agent twice, sources told the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Trade talks involving Correa appeared to stall Wednesday afternoon — the trade deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday — and the three-time All-Star’s contract contains a no-trade clause. Correa is making $36 million this year, and he is owed $92 million over the next three seasons.
He was not in the Twins lineup Wednesday for their game against the Red Sox at Target Field after leaving Tuesday night’s game because of what manager Rocco Baldelli called a migraine.
When Correa’s name surfaced in trade speculation last offseason, he responded that his full no-trade clause gave him peace of mind. “Let me tell you something: I love Minnesota, and I love the fishing here.”
Houston, one source familiar with the situation said, could be a destination that changes his mind. Correa maintains a home in the Houston area and it’s where he trains in the offseason.
Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes is sidelined with hamstring injury that is “a little bit more severe than we had projected,” general manager Dana Brown said Sunday, and shortstop Jeremy Peña is on the injured list with fractured rib. USA Today reported Paredes could miss the rest of the season, and they’re considering Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez and St. Louis’ Nolan Arenado, along with Correa, to boost their infield.
The Astros nearly acquired Arenado in December, but Arenado blocked a deal with his no-trade clause. Houston, at the time, was reportedly willing to pick up $45 million of the $60 million Arenado was owed over the last three years of his contract.
The Twins would likely be required to pick up some of Correa’s remaining salary to facilitate a trade, and that is one of the hold-ups in the current trade negotiations.
They re-signed Correa to a six-year, $200 million contract in Jan. 2023, the largest contract the Twins handed to a free agent in team history. The deal came together after failed physical examinations on Correa’s ankle nixed contract agreements with the San Francisco Giants (13 years, $365 million) and New York Mets (12 years, $315 million).
The results have been a mixed bag.
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Correa played through plantar fasciitis in his left foot during the 2023 season, and he had one of his worst offensive seasons with a .230 batting average and .711 OPS in 135 games. The postseason was a different story. He was one of the heroes who helped the Twins win their first postseason series in 21 seasons with nine hits (three doubles) in six games while playing stellar defense.
He was named to the All-Star team in 2024, but he played only 86 games as he developed plantar fasciitis in his right foot. The Twins fell apart in the final six weeks of the season and missed the postseason.
This year, Correa is navigating another bad offensive season. He’s batting .267, but he hasn’t hit for as much power, generating with a .705 OPS, which is way below his career norm (.817 OPS).