NEW YORK — Carlos Correa, the two-time All Star shortstop whose free agency descended into chaos earlier this week, was scheduled to begin a physical examination with the Mets on Thursday, his representative Scott Boras said.
The process cannot be considered a formality, given a disagreement over Correa’s medical review effectively scuttled a 13-year, $350 million agreement with the Giants. After San Francisco postponed a press conference scheduled to introduce Correa on Tuesday, Boras pivoted and secured a 12-year, $315 million deal with the Mets. The contract will be completed once Correa passes his physical, which Boras indicated he expected would happen within the next two days.
Advertisement
“There is no current issue with Carlos’ health, whatsoever,” Boras said after a press conference to introduce a different client, pitcher Carlos Rodón, as a Yankee.
Boras had traveled to Yankee Stadium from San Francisco. Correa also made the trip, in order to undergo an examination by the Mets medical staff. A physical conducted by the Giants on Monday led to San Francisco delaying the finalization of the initial agreement. The two parties set a deadline to finish the deal. After the deadline passed, Boras connected with other teams and found an eager partner in Mets owner Steve Cohen, who has spent more than $800 million on free agents this offseason.
Citing medical privacy laws, Giants officials have declined comment this week. The team on Wednesday issued a two-sentence statement, attributed to president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. “While we are prohibited from disclosing confidential medical information, as Scott Boras stated publicly, there was a difference of opinion over the results of Carlos’ physical examination,” Zaidi’s statement read. “We wish Carlos the best.”
Boras indicated San Francisco never communicated a specific concern related to the physical. The Giants relayed initial concern after the exam on Monday. There were further discussions after San Francisco postponed the press conference on Tuesday morning, but the two sides did not re-negotiate a deal.
The Giants harbored concern about an ankle injury Correa suffered in the minors, according to an NBC Sports Bay Area report. The injury led to arthroscopic surgery for Correa in 2014. Correa also dealt with significant back injuries earlier in his career. Back problems limited him to 75 games with Houston in 2019.
(Photo of Carlos Correa: G Fiume / Getty Images)
