Will the Giants be also-rans again?
That’s the fear amongst the lunatic fringe, after Monday’s report that San Francisco and the Minnesota Twins are co-favorites to land shortstop Carlos Correa, currently the biggest position player still left on the open market.
Those who are nervous might not want to look at the Vegas odds, which have the Giants in third place, with an implied probability of 21.1% to land the two-time All-Star. The Chicago Cubs are most likely to land him at 28.6%, and the Boston Red Sox — who just let Xander Bogaerts walk — are in second place at 26.7%.
Here’s the full list of odds via bookies.com:
The Cubs reportedly made it a goal this offseason to sign one of the premier shortstops on the open market, and only Correa and Dansby Swanson remain. They have plenty of money to spend and are desperate to add a star.
The Giants are in the same boat after missing out on Aaron Judge. If they do indeed sign Correa, it will be for a king’s ransom. Correa has been smart to wait out free agency, with shortstops Trea Turner going for $300 million and Xander Bogaerts for $280 million. Correa is arguably better than both of those players, and should command a deal worth at least as much.
Correa was on the Twins last season, but has opted out of the second year of his two-year deal. Dansby Swanson is the other top-tier shortstop left on the market, so it stands to reason that the Giants and Twins could be choosing between the two players.
Correa, 28, is a two-time All-Star and one-time World Series champion with the Houston Astros. Last season he slashed .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs and is known for playing excellent defense.
Currently, outfielder Mitch Haniger is the Giants biggest signing of the offseason at $43.5 million over three years.