Cubs Rumors: The floor for Carlos Correa seems to be set at $330 million

Earlier this week, top free agent Carlos Correa dumped his representation, joining up with the Boras Corporation as the MLB lockout continues – setting himself up to pounce once it ends and free agency resumes in what we expect will be a fast and furious fashion.

Now, we have a report from Jon Heyman, laying out what number Correa had in mind earlier this offseason in regards to a new contract.

From the onset, it felt like the Detroit Tigers would end up signing Correa. After all, they’re getting closer and closer to having Miguel Cabrera come off the books, have one of the best pools of young talent in the league and could use that centerpiece to build around.

But then they went out and signed Javier Baez to a six-year, $140 million contract – leaving us all to wonder if that means they’re out on Correa or if they’re poised to go full-blown Texas Rangers, and add two star-powered middle infielders in one fell swoop.

Assuming they aren’t looking to add nearly a half-billion in contractual obligations via two players, though, we end up circling back to other potential suitors, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Braves, Astros and last, but not least, our Chicago Cubs.

Chicago Cubs won’t play in the 10-year long end of the pool on Carlos Correa

Chicago wants zero part of a deal that lasts 10 or more years and if you’re shelling out $350 million, odds are you’re looking at something that spans at least a decade. Reportedly, the Cubs are more comfortable in that five-to-seven year range, but it’s hard to figure out how a deal could work at that length with the dollars that are being discussed.

The Dodgers print money out in Chavez Ravine and with just one year of control left over Trea Turner, a play for Correa could make sense. The Yankees definitely have a need – but both of those teams were directly impacted by the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal and, I know money talks, but I don’t know if I’m thrilled about trying to win over those fanbases if I’m Correa.

Houston seems to be in the same boat as the Cubs as in its not about the dollars, but rather the length of a deal that would bring the former Rookie of the Year back to the Astros. In the end, knowing this is where Boras and Correa have their sights set (or at least where Correa did prior to the lockout), it’s feeling an awful lot like a two-horse race between Los Angeles and New York.