By now we know for a fact that the Cubs are pursuing Carlos Correa and even before the unexpected 11-year deal that the Padres signed Xander Bogaerts to, we had an idea that Correa was going to get a huge contract this offseason after Trea Turner signed his $300 million with the Phillies.
The Cubs, along with other teams, the figure of that unknown, have made Correa offers. Obviously, Scott Boras is still out there negotiating because Correa remains unsigned. At 28-years-old, the youngest of the star free agent shortstops and not being attached to a qualifying offer, Correa is now expected to exceed the $300 million mark and most likely it's going to be well above that number.
So, are the Cubs serious about signing him?
It's been a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions for Cubs fans this past week as the Winter Meetings took place in San Diego and it's possible that how things went down with Bogaerts could give us optimism about the chances for Correa.
According to Boston Globe reporter Pete Abraham, there were three or four teams that offered Bogaerts more than $200 million, before he ultimately got blown away by the Padres and their $280 million offer.
Sooooo, the Cubs were one of those teams, right?
I mean, they've been linked to the top-four shortstops all offseason and reportedly made an offer to Turner too.
The Cubs met with Bogaerts in person and had Jon Lester helping to recruit. Kind of seems like the Cubs were interested in Bogaerts.
There hasn't been another report confirming that the Cubs were indeed part of that group of teams to offer more than $200 million to Bogaerts, but let's think out loud and assume they were. It's not crazy to think they made him an offer. IF they did and it was at that range, then you can also conclude that they're also willing to go big for Correa, right?
That can't be too far of a stretch and maybe I'm being too optimistic. However, at the same time the Cubs are out here publicly telling fans that Jed Hoyer has the budget to spend on their flagship radio station.
The pressure is on Hoyer to deliver something big for the Cubs this offseason and I'll repeat, if they did make an offer above $200 million to Bogaerts, then why wouldn't they feel comfortable going above $300 million for Correa? He's younger, has been better offensively throughout his career and projects to stay at shortstop longer than Bogaerts.
I know you are well within your right to be skeptical about Hoyer actually closing the deal with Correa, but it's not like he's settling right now. The Cubs have been the main team connected to Swanson this offseason, but the focus still has to be on Correa because if not, wouldn't the Cubs just have signed Swanson already?
And I'm not saying Correa to the Cubs should be considered anything close to a guarantee either. My main point here is that I do believe they'll have a strong offer for him. With that said, so will other teams. The Twins want him back bad and the Giants could get in on the Correa sweepstakes too.
Although, maybe it won't be the Giants. That would be a relief, eliminating one big shark. However, are the Yankees trying to get Correa now?
The free-agent market has certainly changed this winter and you better act fast before it passes you by.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi was on 670 The Score on Friday and still says Swanson to the Cubs is most plausible in his mind. What would it take?
Like Bogaerts, if the Cubs are seeing the market develop at this level, why not go all the way to the top for the best player instead; Carlos Correa.
More on the Cubs and Correa on this week's Pinwheels And Ivy Podcast.
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