Carlos Correas free agency decision has a big Cubs clue – New York Post

Marcus Stroman took to Twitter after signing with the Cubs to recruit Carlos Correa, but the Astros shortstop took his own initiative to learn what playing for the team would be like.

According to a report from Univision’s Mike Rodriguez, Correa called former Cubs shortstop Javier Baez to ask about his experience playing for the organization.

The Cubs are one of five teams that reached out to Correa in free agency, along with the Yankees, Red Sox, Braves and Dodgers, per Fox 26 KRIV.

The 27-year-old, two-time All-Star will have plenty of time to mull his options over. Correa can’t currently sign after the collective bargaining agreement expired and the league entered a lockout, preventing players and teams from making deals.

Stroman beat out the work stoppage by signing a three-year, $71-million deal with the Cubs on Wednesday, leaving the Mets, who acquired him at the 2019 trade deadline.

Carlos Correa put in a phone call to ex-Cub Javier Bae to get some Chicago intel.
Carlos Correa put in a phone call to ex-Cub Javier Bae to get some Chicago intel.
Paul J. Bereswill; Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post (inset)

Stroman announced his signing over Twitter and later that night, tweeted at Correa.

“Need you in Chicago my dawg!” the Long Island native typed.

Correa has reportedly turned down multiple contracts — and, earlier in the year, contract extensions — that would have seen him remain with the Astros. Houston reportedly offered him another another deal for five years and $160 million after the season. 

Houston lost in the World Series to the Braves, falling in six games, as Correa batted .279 with 155 hits in 148 regular season games.