Houston Astros: Carlos Correa signs “record setting” deal with Adidas

The Houston Astros Carlos Correa may be playing for the minimum, but he will get some big bucks from Adidas.

After winning the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2015, Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa continues to take the baseball world by storm. Today, Correa signed a five-year endorsement deal with athletic apparel brand Adidas. The numbers of this deal have not been released to the public. However, according to an article from the Houston Chronicle, ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell called this contract with Adidas a “huge, record-setting” deal.

Correa had a breakout season for the Astros in 2015. In his first 94 games as a major leaguer, Correa led all shortstops with 22 home runs. He also drove in 68 RBIs and had a .857 OPS. Along with winning Rookie of the Year, Correa led the Astros to an ALDS appearance against the Kansas City Royals and finished 24^th in AL MVP voting.

Correa is not the only Houston star athlete in the Adidas family. Houston Rockets star shooting guard James Harden signed a 13 year, $200 million dollar contract last year. Correa moves to Adidas after a $2500 contract with Nike expired this offseason. According to the Houston Chronicle, Correa seems to be excited about the new change.

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“It’s a huge deal,” Correa said. “I think the Adidas deal is a pretty good one. It’s going to help me through those five or six years that I need to get to free agency.” Correa’s contract with Adidas is yet another step in his young career to becoming a star in this league. The pressure is high for him to be the leader in offensive production for the Astros next season.

The expectations were high from the start. Correa was drafted first overall in the 2012 MLB draft. As he was developing in the minor leagues, his bat did too. In his seasons in the minor leagues, Correa hit .313 with a .883 OPS. However, Correa’s power did not really become a part of his game until the 2015 season. In his 53 games, split between AA Corpus Christi and AAA Fresno, before getting called up to the majors, Correa hit ten home runs and drove in 44 RBIs. On top of that, he hit .335 with a 1.007 OPS.

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Correa expects a lot from himself too. We can see that from his response to the Adidas deal. He said that the deal is, “going to help me through those five or six years that I need to get to free agency.” If his bat continues to develop into what the Astros hope it will be and turns into the offensive force in the middle of that lineup, this will not be his first big payday.