The Carlos Correa era is over in Minnesota. He's heading back to Houston, who originally drafted him first overall and where he won a World Series.
In return, the Twins get left-handed pitcher Matt Mikulski. Mikulski, 26, has split the 2025 season between the Florida Complex League Astros and High-A Asheville, appearing in 12 games, allowing 13 earned runs on 18 hits in 15.1 innings pitched, with 15 walks and 18 strikeouts.
It was the most stunning move made by the Twins, who dealt nearly 40 percent of the team's roster before Thursday's trade deadline.
In an interview with MLB.com after the news of the trade broke, Correa says he’s happy to be heading back to the team where he started career, and added it was clear 'Minnesota wasn’t going in the direction' he wanted, and they agreed to find a trade.
“I let them know there was only one team I would allow that to happen," Correa tells MLB.com.
The move appeared to be dead Thursday morning, with the Astros insisting the Twins pay a significant portion of his remaining salary - there are three years still on his deal with the Twins.
Details on how much of the salary the Twins were willing to eat have not been officially reported yet, but Bob Nightengale of USA Today says the team is pushing $33 million towards the nearly $100 million Correa is still owed. It appeared earlier on Thursday that the team was not willing to pay what Houston wanted, which was reportedly around $50 million of the remaining $96 million remaining on Correa's deal.
Correa will play third base in Houston who has to replace the injured Isaac Paredes. The move came only because Correa was willing to waive his no-trade clause with the Twins and his willingness to switch positions.
After the Twins loss Wednesday afternoon, Correa seemed to suggest a deal was unlikely though.
"I don't think it's serious right now, so we'll see," he said. "We'll see where everything goes, but you know my my goal has always been to be here and win here and you know I've been talking to Derek and Rocco and I'll be ready for the next series."
Correa also noted he's been very involved in conversations with the Derek Falvey, the Twins President of Baseball Operations.
Correa spent his first seven years in Houston, where he became one of the most beloved players in franchise history, helping the team to six playoff appearances, three American League pennants and its first World Series title in 2017 — a title tainted by a sign-stealing scandal. The top pick in the 2012 amateur draft and 2015 AL Rookie of the Year was part of the homegrown core that helped the Astros go from the league’s laughingstock to perennial contenders.
Correa has exclusively played shortstop in his 11-year MLB career but will almost certainly move to third base for the AL West leaders with shortstop Jeremy Peña close to returning from the injured list. The Astros need help at third base with All-Star Isaac Paredes out indefinitely with a hamstring injury.
Charismatic and an unquestioned leader in the clubhouse, Correa could help galvanize a team that has managed to remain atop the division standings despite dealing with multiple injuries to both its lineup and pitching staff.
OTHER MOVES
There were a few other big moves by the team just prior to the trade deadline. The Twins have traded utilityman Willi Castro to the Cubs. Castro is in a contract year, and his value in being able to play several positions would have been a big draw to other teams.
The pitching prospects coming back to the Twins are right-handed pitcher Sam Armstrong and Ryan Gallagher, according to ESPN. Baseball America ranks Armstrong as number 30 in Cubs farm system. Both are in Class AA this year.
More pitchers are on the move too. The Blue Jays are acquiring Twins reliever Louis Varland a source tells The Athletic. First Baseman Ty France is also heading to Toronto according to reports.
Another relief pitcher, Griffin Jax has been dealt to Tampa Bay
The Texas Rangers are acquiring left-hander Danny Coulombe from the Minnesota Twins, according to ESPN.
It's been a total fire sale for the Twins at this point, especially when it comes to the bullpen. Besides Correa, France and Castro, outfielder Harrison Bader was traded. The pitching staff lost closer Jhoan Duran, relievers Varland, Jax, Brock Stewart and Coulombe, starter Chris Paddack and minor league pitcher Randy Dobnak.