It sounds as if the Yankees are in on Carlos Correa, despite his cheating past.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke with reporters on Tuesday and offered a glowing analysis of the free-agent shortstop who has spent his entire career with the Houston Astros and was one of the faces of the disgraced 2017 World Series team.
“Great player. I think, he’s obviously in the prime of his career or entering the prime of his career, and part of what is a very special shortstop class,” Boone said on a Zoom cal. “I think he’s a guy that’s really developed into a leader over these last several seasons with the Astros. He’s going to be in high demand for good reason based on the player he is between the lines but also think the intangible things that you’ve seen him grow into over the years. — at least across the diamond.”
Boone was then asked if Correa’s history — being a part of the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal — would prevent him from being a Yankee.
“No,” Boone said.
It echoes the same sentiment Brian Cashman had when asked about Correa a week earlier at the GM Meetings, when he said that fan reaction to the shortstop was not a concern of his about Correa.
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Correa, on the other hand, is not exactly doing anything to endear himself to New York or Yankees fans this offseason, though.
The All-Star went on Instagram Live on Monday night and disparaged Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, saying he did not deserve any of his Gold Glove awards.
It is not exactly a controversial take. Jeter’s defense was always a much-scrutinized aspect of his game, especially in his later years, but he is quite possibly the most beloved Yankees figure in recent memory and fans may not take kindly to it.
But the Yankees have underachieved the last four consecutive seasons and shortstop is an area of concern. Correa is part of a free agent class that includes Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Javier Baez and Marcus Semien — all other possibilities the Bombers could explore as well.
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