Twins announce signing of Carlos Correa

By KSTP
FILE - Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning of Game 4 of baseball's American League Championship Series, o, Oct. 17, 2019, in New York. Correa agreed early Saturday, March 19, 2022, to a $105.3 million, three-year contract with the Minnesota Twins, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

The Minnesota Twins have officially announced the signing of Carlos Correa, a few days after agreeing to terms with the star free agent shortstop.

News of the deal broke early Saturday morning and shocked the baseball industry.

RELATED: Correa and Twins agree to $105.3M, 3-year deal

Correa, who was widely considered the top free agent on the market, signed a three-year deal that he can opt out of after each of the first two years. It will pay him $35.1 million annually, making him baseball’s fourth-highest paid player.

The former Houston Astro hit .279 with 34 doubles, one triple, 26 home runs, 92 RBI, 104 runs scored, 75 walks, a .366 on-base percentage and an .850 OPS in 148 games last season.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft has spent his entire career with the Astros, prior to this point, hitting .277 with 133 home runs and 489 RBI with a .356 on-base percentage and an .837 OPS in 752 career MLB games. He is also the 2015 American League Rookie of the Year, a two-time AL All-Star and winner of the 2021 AL Gold and Platinum Glove awards.

Correa has also been productive in the postseason, hitting .272 with 18 home runs, 59 RBI, a .344 on-base percentage and an .849 OPS in 79 career games. He already ranks sixth on the all-time list for postseason RBI and is tied for seventh in home runs.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Correa, the Twins designated pitcher Ralph Garza Jr. for release or assignment.

Correa will be formally introduced Wednesday morning.