Where the Mets and Yankees could look in one intriguing corner of the trade market

Over the weekend, I tried to make the case for why the New York teams should at least inquire about Carlos Correa.

He has four years at $128 million left on his contract and is a distressed enough asset that to move him the Twins either would have to eat money or accept contracts that offset Correa’s dollars somewhat — think players such as Jeff McNeil or Marcus Stroman.

But there also is a question about how much of a distressed asset Correa is. He was failed on physicals after the 2022 season by both the Giants and Mets due to long-term concerns regarding his lower right leg. Correa suffered a major injury to the area in 2014 in the minors and had a metal plate installed. On one hand, there is concern over whether this is a ticking physical time bomb. It is why rather than the 13-year and 12-year deals for more than $300 million that Correa agreed to with the Giants and Mets, respectively, he ended up signing a six-year, $200 million pact with the Twins.

A few things to keep in mind: That deal now has just four years left. Correa never has been on the IL for an injury due to his lower right leg exclusively. Having turned 30 in September, Correa is just three months older than Pete Alonso. And while Correa endured plantar fasciitis injuries to his left foot in 2023 and right foot last season, the Twins do not think the lower right leg injury caused the plantar fasciitis.