The San Francisco Giants postponed a press conference Tuesday to introduce Carlos Correa after a medical concern arose during the All Star’s brief physical hiatus, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because the Giants have not publicly announced any details of the $350 million, 13-year Korea deal, not even that Tuesday’s availability was to offer the premium free agent.
A person confirmed that Tuesday’s conference to welcome Korea had been put on hold because both sides were awaiting test results. Another person said that a medical problem was reported during Correa’s physical therapy.
Correa and the Giants agreed on Dec. 13 to the blockbuster deal, on the condition that it be a physical success, according to one of the people. Correa was placed on the injured list seven times during his eight-year career.
Media availability was scheduled for 11 a.m. PT at Oracle Park, but was canceled about three hours early. Giants did not provide an explanation as to why.
It was not clear whether the two sides had discussed renegotiating the Korea Agreement.
279 career average with 155 homers and 553 RBI in eight big league seasons. He was also an excellent postseason performer with 18 homers and 59 RBIs in 79 games.
The only knock on Correa’s resume is durability. He played at least 150 matches in a season only once due to various injuries.
Correa was a free agent a year ago after leaving the Houston Astros, and reached a $105.3 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. This agreement gave the two-time All-Star the right to withdraw after one year and $35.1 million to hit the market again.
The 28-year-old Correa has completed his deal and is back on the free agent market.
Correa’s guarantee of the Giants would be the fourth largest in baseball history. Mike Trout gets a $426.5 million 12-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels, Mookie Betts gets a $365 million 12-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Aaron Judge gets a $360 million nine-year deal to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The New York Yankees are in agreement announced Tuesday.
Corea hit . 291 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs in his only season with Minnesota. Selected by Houston with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 amateur draft, he played a key role in the Astros’ rise from the bottom of the AL West to the franchise’s first World Title in 2017.
The Astros tournament has been tainted by a sign-stealing scheme, and Korea has been booed in some cities since the scandal came to light.
Brandon Crawford, a three-time All-Star, has been the shortstop since 2011. Crawford, who turns 36 next month, fell to a . 231 average with nine homers and 52 RBIs last season while dealing with injuries, down from 298 average with 24 homers and 90 RBI in 2021.
Crawford has a salary of $16 million in 2023, then he can become a free agent. He’s dealt with injuries in recent seasons and may consider retiring when his deal expires, so the Giants have been looking for a short term future.
The Giants went 81-81 last season, a year after they won a record 107 games and won the NL West.
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Associated Press baseball writer Jenny McCauley contributed to this report.
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