Astros: Correa’s price could be rising, so is the money best spent elsewhere?

With the red-hot free agent market booming, the Houston Astros have to make a decision. If it is up to me or any other Astros fan, we are re-signing Carlos Correa to a big deal just like he wants.

After news that Corey Seager signed a 10-year $325 million deal, then you know the market is saying Correa should get more but will he take a slight pay cut to play for a winning team or will he demand his big pay day?

In the end, the longer the deal is the more of a deal it is to make for owners so long as the player produces similarly throughout the length of the contract. Additionally, the value of the big contract diminishes over team so in five years, if the Astros sign Correa to a 10-year $300 million deal, Correa will be one of the top paid shortstops but he won’t be the top 1-3 by salary.

With all that said, let’s hope Correa will resign with the Astros, but if he doesn’t, let’s take a look at what else that money could be used for instead.

Trevor Story is the only real expensive player left in free agency after Correa, and he won’t command quite the contract that Correa would. But, it will be expensive, and he won’t free up too much money for other players. Since there aren’t any other big options it’s either Correa, Story or a cheap shortstop and lots of free money.

Carlos Rodon current free agent from the Chicago White Sox could be a possible candidate for the boon if Correa is gone. Rodon has not had a solid and consistent career but was lights out this past year, and if he signs with the Astros, it could be a great 1-3 starting staff with Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodon and Lance McCullers Jr., followed by Luis Garcia and Framber Valdez. This past year Rodon had his beat year of his career posting a 13-5 record with a 2.37 ERA with 185 strikeouts.

Marcus Stroman could be another possible candidate for a solid three-starter behind Verlander and McCullers. Stroman likely won’t return to the Mets so his career 3.63 ERA would be welcome in Houston. This past season Stroman posted a 3.02 ERA with 158 strikeouts would bring some great life and veteran leadership to a young staff.

Nick Castellanos could be another possible signee for the Astros to boost their lineup in Correa’s absence. Without Correa they will need to fill the void with a big bat and Castellanos could fill that role. He could easily start in right field and Kyle Tucker could move to center field. With likely starter Jake Meyers out for a longer period of time, the Astros could fill that role in the free agent market.

Castellanos had a career year last year hitting .309 with 34 home runs and 100 RBI and would fill in very well in Correa’s lineup spot while perhaps a rookie (Jeremy Peña) gets his feet wet in the bigs. All in all let’s hope Correa is back but if he is not there are some viable options out there, though not many as the hours pass in this free agent signing frenzy.