This offseason needs to cool down just a bit.
It’s November 1 and the rumor mill is already running wild. Last week I wrote about a wild rumor that suggested Mookie Betts could move to second base… to make room for Aaron Judge.
Well, strap in, because that was nothing.
If you thought that was crazy, you may want to shut your eyes. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Dodgers might actually consider… Carlos Correa.
Oh boy.
If neither of those options are appealing to the Dodgers, maybe they opt to sign a name like Dansby Swanson? He’ll cost less than Turner and can return similar value. But what if that isn’t an option as well? Well, you might not like what is behind door number four.
According to the article from Heyman, the Dodgers love everything Correa brings and thus far don’t seem to have 2017 reservations.
Well then!
From a talent standpoint, Correa is probably the best option. He’s one of the best shortstops with the bat and defensively is arguably the best. Plus, he’s only 28 years old. If they can’t bring back Turner, Correa is an upgrade.
Talent aside, is there any chance the Dodgers actually sign Correa? That remains to be seen. He’s been one of the most vocal players when it’s come to the 2017 cheating scandal.
Correa also called out Cody Bellinger, if you recall, saying “Either [he] doesn’t know how to read, is really bad at reading comprehension, or is just not informed at all. If you don’t know the facts, then you’ve got to shut the f— up.”
So yeah, great!
The Dodgers are no stranger to signing players who weren’t fan favorites. The list over recent years includes Joe Kelly, Brian Wilson, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino, just to name a few. Dodgers fans came around to those players, but this is an entirely different situation.
Is there any possibility Dodgers fans can forgive and accept Correa? Sure. Will 100 percent of the fan base do it? No way.
How would I feel about it? Pretty icky.
Like I mentioned, Correa is the best shortstop available currently on the market. I think he’d be a huge addition to the lineup and would make the Dodgers a better team. He has been excellent in the postseason throughout his career and brings that passion on the field the Dodgers lacked this season. But it just seems crazy to have to root for him, you know?
Even if he apologized to every member of the organization and issued a public apology to the fans, it would be tough. Maybe he could win me over with what he’d say, or maybe he could win me over with how he’d treat the Los Angeles community. But it would take a lot.
I can’t see the Dodgers signing him to a longterm extension. If anything, I could see them offering what the Twins did last season. A short-term deal with opt outs. It worked out for Correa last year, as he made $35 million and is a free-agent once again.
Maybe LA does the same exact deal as sort of a “prove it” deal, where he can opt out after a season or two if he wants a shot elsewhere. I’d prefer that sort of contract, where the Dodgers would only be locked in for a couple of years. I’m not a huge fan of those longterm contracts, as I’d be hesitant to give one to Turner.
If Turner is willing to sign a shorter contract, sign me up. But I don’t think that’ll be the case. At least with Correa, there’s the possibility of a 3-4 year contract which I think benefits both parties. Especially if he helps you win the World Series and opts out after only one or two seasons.
Maybe this is just a rumor to drive his price up. Considering the report came from Heyman, that very well could be what is happening here. The Dodgers would have to do their homework with this one, knowing the potential backlash if they were to sign him.
It’s only November 1 and the rumors we’ve already gotten have been crazy. Just a few more months left of this!
