Carlos Correa: “This is a special team and we are ready for the next thing to come”

Houston. The Puerto Rican shortstop of the Houston Astros, Carlos CorreaHe has a lot on his mind these days, both on and off the pitch, but he doesn’t want anything to blur him when starting tomorrow night against the Boston Red Sox at the start of the Series of American League Championship.

And one of those things is a recurring theme for which Correa was approached yesterday during practices at Minute Maid Park, as a preamble to tonight’s game: the possibility that this is his last season and his last ‘playoffs’ with him. Astros uniform.

Correa made history in 2012 as the first Puerto Rican to be chosen in the opening shift of a Major League rookie draft, when the Astros selected him with the first pick. Since then, he has become one of the pillars of the organization, which for the fifth consecutive year is contesting an American Championship Series.

In fact, since the Santa Isabel made his major league debut in 2015, when he ended up carrying the Rookie of the Year award on his circuit, the Astros have made it to the postseason in six of the last seven years, including winning the MLB title. World Series in 2017.

“It is very special and these are moments that you have to remember and not take for granted. This is a special team and we are ready for what comes next, ”Correa told reporters after the Astros’ training session, which was limited to fielding practice rehearsing game situations.

When asked directly on the subject of free agency, which he will be eligible for for the first time as soon as this season ends with the World Series, Correa did not speak directly on the subject.

“I am not thinking about that. I’m focused on this series, on playing baseball and winning games, “he said at the outset on that topic.

But the tall 6’4 ″ and 27-year-old did talk about the warmth and affection he has received from both Astros fans and his teammates and technical staff, who are perhaps preparing to say goodbye to him.

It is very special and they are moments that you have to remember and not take them for granted. This is a special team and we are ready for the next thing to come

–Carlos Correa

“It has been very special. I do not think about that. I just think about how to try to help my team to win. But it really is a special season since there are five consecutive years (in the series) to the American championship, and we hope to finish what we have set out to do ”,

“They have shown me unconditional support, and wherever I go they tell me to stay, and wherever I go they have always shown me their support,” he added, referring to Astros fans.

Correa tried to reach an agreement with the Astros management before the start of the 2021 season, but after an initial offer from the team, for six years and $ 120 million, the negotiations did not go well. The latest reports were of a five-year, $ 125 million offer, but Correa cautioned that if they did not reach an agreement before the start of the season, he would prefer to focus on the game.

He did his part, because the Houston team finished with the second best record in the American with 95-67, and just eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the Chicago White Sox, winners of the Central Division and who managed the second-best collective ERA in all of baseball with 3.67 runs allowed per nine innings.

And during the season, the expressions in favor of Correa by teammates and even the Astros manager himself, Dusty Baker, have been more than a hint for the management, which denotes everyone’s interest in the Puerto Rican remaining. in the club. In short, everyone has praised his qualities as a leader in the team.

“It makes me feel good. Obviously that they see and appreciate the work that one does, not only for one but to help others. That means a lot”.

Correa has helped his own cause as the next free agent. Injury plagued for years, this season he remained healthy and had perhaps his best performance. In fact, he surpassed his personal best of home runs with 26, and although he fell four short of equaling his best RBI number (96 in 2016), he greatly improved his run total with 104. He also hit .279 and surpassed. all 150 hits for the second time in his career.

When asked if he is aware that this increased his value in the face of free agency, he expressed satisfaction at having met his individual goals, but also collective ones.

“I feel good to have achieved the goals that I set for myself before starting the year. It was a special year for me and the team, and we hope it ends perfectly, ”added Correa, also grateful for being injury-free.

“It means a lot to me. Last year and this year I was focused on my body every day. I just know my body so much better now, and I know how to take optimal care of it. And with the experience that one acquires playing every day, because you already know what works and what does not work ”.