San Francisco Giants: Is it time to go after Carlos Correa?

The San Francisco Giants were one of the three teams looking to sign Aaron Judge at the recent MLB Winter Meetings but, unfortunately for the Giants, they were beaten out by the New York Yankees for his services. A native Californian and Fresno State alum, Judge looked like he was coming back home to play for his hometown team. However, after a historic season he had with the Yankees and wearing the pinstripes for his entire seven-year career, in the end, he chose not to leave the Bronx.

Now what’s next for the San Francisco Giants?

Well, so far, the Giants signed Mitch Haniger to a three-year, $43.5 million and Joc Pederson (who used social media to try to lure Judge to San Francisco) accepted his one-year, $19.5 million qualifying offer. The Giants had a disappointing 2022 season, so they will look to improve their roster and, most importantly, their defense. According to FanGraphs, the Giants ranked 30th in Defensive Runs Above Average (Def) with -45.2, Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with -50, and ranked 28th in Outs Above Average (OAA) with -32. That is a tough pill to swallow if you’re a San Francisco Giants fan.

The Giants need a new face for this franchise. They need a player who can be placed in a weaker lineup and thrive and be a leader in a clubhouse. Buster Posey retired at the end of the 2021 season, Brandon Belt is an unrestricted free agent now, and Brandon Crawford is going into the last year of his contract at the age of 36. Crawford will also be the last active Giants player from the 2014 roster, which was the last time San Francisco won the World Series.

Yes, the San Francisco Giants should go after Carlos Correa.

Correa opted out of his contract with the Minnesota Twins after the 2022 season had ended. In that three-year, $105.3 million contract, he was the highest paid shortstop yearly, earning a $35.1 average annual value (AAV). Correa is now looking for a long-term contract that is going to pay him more than $300 million, and the Giants have the money to do that.

The 2017 World Series Champion and 2021 Gold Glove and Platinum Award winner would bring a veteran presence to the San Francisco Giants, as well as improve their defense. Correa didn’t have his best defensive year with the Twins, but his tenure as a Houston Astro showed he was an outstanding defender. The shortstop can cover up so much range, be able to dive or jump for a ball that has absolutely no reason to be caught and can throw the baseball 90 mph+ across the diamond. This man could make your jaw drop because of the way he plays. He can make crazy web gems on the field look incredibly easy, and come up big at the plate by hitting a game-winning home run.

Correa would be a great fit for the Bay Area. Bringing his career numbers with a 39.5 WAR and a .836 OPS, he can help the Giants compete with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

If Correa decides to play for the Giants, what position would he play? Do the Giants move him to third base or do they move Crawford to second or third base? We’ll just have to see what the San Francisco Giants decide if they land him this offseason.