Oct 16, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) reacts after fouling out against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning in game two of the 2021 ALCS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Correa is the top player available in this MLB free-agent class, and the Houston Astros have reportedly made one last offer to the superstar shortstop before he tests the open market.

While the Average Annual Value on the offer is fine, the years and dollars are likely quite lower than what Correa will ultimately sign for.

Mark Berman of Houston’s Fox 26 reports that the Astros offered Correa a five-year, $160 million deal (32 million per year).

Correa is coming off a 2021 season in which he had a .279/.366/.485 slash line at the plate for the AL champions. He’s also an elite defender at shortstop, ranking first among MLB players — tied with Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings — at all positions with 21 defensive runs saved in 2021 (and was seven DRS ahead of any other shortstop).

He’s a terrific hitter, a terrific defender at a premium position, and he’s still young at 27. Free agents like this don’t come around very often.

Even with a loaded shortstop class that also features Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Javier Báez, and Marcus Semien, Correa is valuable enough to the point where those players shouldn’t impact much about his cost.

It’s likely that Correa gets a contract closer to the 10-year, $341 million deal Francisco Lindor signed with the New York Mets than the offer the Astros made.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

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