It’s been a whirlwind day for Carlos Correa.
The 28-year-old shortshop was set to be introduced as the newest San Francisco Giants star on Tuesday, though the team and Correa didn’t see eye-to-eye when it came to his medical evaluation. That allowed the Mets to swoop in and secure the All-Star in a free agency stunner overnight.
Correa and the Mets agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported early Wednesday morning.
“While we are prohibited from disclosing confidential medical information, as [Correa’s agent] Scott Boras stated publicly, there was a difference of opinion over the results of Carlos’ physical examination,” the Giants said Wednesday in a statememnt. “We wish Carlos the best.”
What that “difference in opinions” is remains unclear. It’s possible the Giants became concerned about signing Correa to the lucractive longterm deal they initially agreed on — a historic 13-year, $350 million contract.
Correa, the first overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, has a history of various injuries throughout his career. He played for the Twins last season after spending seven seasons with the Houston Astros.
Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa bats against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning of a game at Progressive Field on Sept. 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Comerica Park on Oct. 2, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. Getty Images
In Dec. 2021, MLB insider Buster Olney said teams had questions about Correa’s lower back, which he had treatment in 2019.
“Teams are being told that they could only access that information [Correa’s medical records] if they made a ‘significant offer,’” Olney said on ESPN 97.5 Houston.
In May, the Twins announced that they placed Correa on the 10-day injured list with a right middle finger contusion. The shortstop sustained the injury fouling a ball off his hand during a game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Correa only missed time in 2021 due to health and safety protocols. He played 148 games that season, the second-highest total of his career. He also missed playing time in the shorted 2020 season when he fouled a ball off his ankle on Sept. 16 and sustained a bone bruise. His X-rays were negative.
A cracked rib limited Correa to 75 games early in the 2019 season, when he was out for two months. At the time, he said the rib injury was caused by an at-home massage when the masseuse “pressed on the area and it was a loud crack.” An MRI later revealed that Correa’s rib was fractured. He also missed time in 2019 with a lingering back issue, sustained the year prior.
Correa dealt with back issues that landed him on the IL in 2018. The shortstop struggled in his return, hitting just .180 in the second half of the season into Houston’s campaign to the ALCS. In the offseason, he had surgery to repair a deviated septum, as he said he was having trouble breathing during games.
Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros fields the ball against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning in Game Five of the World Series at Truist Park on Oct. 31, 2021. Getty Images
In 2017, Correa had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb that he injured during an at-bat against the Seattle Mariners. The Astros won the World Series that year and Correa played a crucial role in their championship run.
Prior to winning the AL Rookie of the Year award, Correa sustained a fractured right fibula while playing at the High-A level in 2014. He underwent arthroscopic surgery.