Astros reportedly ghosted Carlos Correa before his signing

Carlos Correa bet on himself. The shortstop is now a Minnesota Twin with a deal that offers opt outs the first two seasons of the three-year deal, along with a limited no-trade clause for 2022 and a full no-trade clause for 2023 and 2024, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The former Houston Astros‘ first-overall pick traveled Saturday to Fort Meyers, Florida, for a physical scheduled for Sunday, Nightengale reports. While many fans wonder why the Astros couldn’t match the Twins’ deal, John Granato of ESPN 97.5 reported that the organization “ghosted” Correa this past week.

The Astros ghosted Carlos Correa, prior to signing with the Twins.

General manager James Click told Correa he would get back to him, but he never did. In a similar way, owner Jim Crane did not respond to a single text from Correa’s agent, Scott Boras. After national reports of an intensifying conversation, the Astros didn’t match the Twins.

Michael Schwab of The Juice Box Journal confirmed Granato’s report, while Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Astros didn’t offer a new deal this past week. Correa’s mother-in-law also posted the report to her Instagram story, confirming the Astros ghosted Correa.

Prior to the lockout, the Astros reportedly offered Correa a five-year, $160 million deal, which is roughly $3 million less average annual value than what he will make with the Twins.

Former players took to social media Saturday regarding Correa’s departure, while others spoke with reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida. Before Correa’s signing was reported, catcher Martin Maldonado tweeted, “Sorry I tried.”

"“He knew after the lockout it was going to be hard to get the years he wanted,” Maldonado told reporters. “Overall, he’s betting on himself again. I know he’s going to go out there, have a monster year and hopefully go back to free agency and achieve that goal of a 10-year deal.”"

Maldonado, who has tweeted cryptic messages this offseason, will continue that into the near future, he joked with reporters.

Jose Altuve, Justin Verlander, Yuli Gurriel, Jose Siri and Alex Bregman were among the other players to comment on Correa’s departure, adding how he deserves to be paid as much as he will be. Lance McCullers Jr. posted a goodbye video to honor his friendship with the shortstop.

Daniella Correa, wife of Carlos, took to Instagram to thank Astros fans as well.

Although manager Dusty Baker would not comment on Correa’s signing until it became official, former Astros bilingual media and baseball operations coordinator, Andrew Dunn-Bauman, provided a staff member’s perspective.

"“Carlos Correa is the consummate teammate and professional,” Dunn-Bauman said via Twitter. “It goes way beyond what his ability on the field is. Whatever the team needed him to be, he was that guy. Day in and day out. Astros (organization) will miss him.”"

The Astros will receive a competitive balance pick for Correa in the 2022 MLB Draft. In other contract negotiation news, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reported that Kyle Tucker and the Astros are not discussing an extension at this time.

Astros orbit:

Right-handed reliever Joe Smith signed a one-year deal with the Twins, and infielder Jonathan Villar signed a one-year deal including a mutual option for 2023 with the Chicago Cubs, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Feinsand also reported Sunday that the New York Yankees signed infielder Marwin Gonzalez to a minor-league deal.

Right-handed pitching prospect Garrett Gayle voluntary retired. The Astros also assigned a handful of prospects to the major-league club since Friday to play in spring training. To see that list, locate the Astros’ transaction page on their website.