
Of course, no one is going to look good in terms of durability when compared to Ripken. The big difference is games played, and it's a huge difference. In terms of percentages, body type and defensive value (especially arm strength), Correa is pretty much a dead ringer after seven big league seasons for Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.
#Top shortstop free
Just to underscore Correa's lofty status as a free agent, let's do another comparison, this one pairing Correa with another 6-foot-4 shortstop from baseball's past. The situation has changed somewhat since then, but you can still see the stark difference in the baseline economic expectations of these two fine players. This disparity between the two is reflected in the projected contract terms, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. Still, Correa has provided more on-field value, been a superior hitter once ballpark effects are brought into the mix and matched Story in terms of defensive excellence. His career began a year earlier than Story's, but he has played in only seven more games because of a steady stream of injuries during his career. Let's begin with a comparison of the two.Ĭorrea is younger and, in fact, is the youngest of the top-tier free agents this winter, which is a big reason he topped virtually all the free-agent rankings before this all started. Where are Correa and Story likely to land?

#Top shortstop how to
Well, with the owners and players standing their ground on "core economic issues" (i.e., how to split up the riches), let's go through the likely markets for Correa and Story, with the caveat that the outcome of the collective bargaining agreement negotiations might impact this analysis in ways that, right now, we can't predict. After all, who could have predicted when free agency started that the 102-loss Texas Rangers would end up with Semien and Seager? As we said: It's simple, right? Supply and demand.Īlas, when it comes to baseball economics, things are rarely as straightforward as they appear.
#Top shortstop full
That should mean a robust market for these two standouts, once baseball's transactions start rolling again at full capacity. Thus, Correa and Story don't just fit with shortstop-thirsty teams, but teams that need an infield upgrade, period. One of the things about being a major league shortstop is that if you can play that position well, you can play other positions well, too. The best players available at that position are Correa and Story. The basics of this offseason are simple: A number of teams need shortstops.

Thus, though their situations are very different, the narratives of Story and Correa are intertwined more now than ever. That leaves Correa, Story and a whole lot of teams that ought to be interested in them when this tedious labor dispute between the owners and players is resolved. The long-ballyhooed superstar shortstop free-agent class of 2021-22 is down to two: Carlos Correa and Trevor Story.īeginning with the 10-year, $341 million extension Francisco Lindor signed with the Mets just before the 2021 season, the shortstops have come off the board one by one: Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Javier Baez. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

MLB, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St.
#Top shortstop upgrade
You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browserĢ superstar shortstops, 30 MLB teams: Ranking the best fits for Carlos Correa and Trevor Story
