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How Correa dilemma feels like Houston sports history repeating itself

Astros Carlos Correa
Pay this man! Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.
The case for fanaticism and vigilance from Astros fans

Back in September of the 2009 NFL season, Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson was angling for a new contract. The team frachise tagged him instead of negotiating a long-term deal when they couldn't come to terms. Robinson held out all of training camp amid the dispute. Rick Smith, the then general manager, was called to task with Robinson's infamous "PAY ME RICK" stitched on the back of his cleats before the opening game against the Jets. They went on to lose that game 24-7, went 8-8 that season, and Robinson signed with the Falcons in that offseason.

Fast forward 12 years, and the Astros' Carlos Correa is in the same position, as is Astros general manager James Click. After turning down a reported six year/$120 million dollar deal, Correa also turned down a five year/$125 million dollar deal as well. He's supposedly seeking a big dollar, long-term deal such as the ones fellow shortstops Fernando Tatis Jr. (14 year/$340 million dollars) and Francisco Lindor (10 years/$341 million dollars) received recently. Like most athletes in a contract year, Correa is performing at a high level. He's hitting .296 with 14 homers, 40 RBI, and 51 runs scored. Along with his impressive batting stats, he's sporting a .984 fielding percentage and has been healthy all season.

Correa will be 27 in September. Signing him to a 10-year deal wouldn't be as bad as one would think. However, it makes better business sense to sign him to a shorter term deal considering his injury history. Correa and his team are looking for security and money. Anything eight years or more worth upwards of $25-30 million dollars a year would be ideal for them in my opinion. Click hasn't been a general manager for very long and is facing a tough decision. Owner Jim Crane may be looking at his payroll and decide against offering Correa the kind of deal he's looking for, especially when one thinks of the money he's paying Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve. On the flip side, Zack Greinke and Justin Verlander are most likely both coming off the books after this season. If neither, or only one is brought back, that could open a salary spot for Correa.

The true tell will be what he's offered on the open market. Teams like the Yankees, who have a need at shortstop, will always be in position to outbid the Astros. There will be a couple other shortstops hitting the market as well who are just as good as Correa. So far, Correa has bet on himself. If you ask me, he's winning. If he keeps this up, he'll definitely get paid this offseason. Whether it's the Astros or another team is still in question.

Personally speaking, they should pay him. He's been the face of the team following the cheating scandal. His performance in the playoffs last season was remarkable. He's staying healthy, so far, and is performing at an All-Star level. Not often do you get a guy at his age, playing this good, at a key position. If you bring back Verlander at a cheaper salary, let Greinke walk, and offer Correa a competitive deal, the window could stay open a bit longer than most expect. At the rate he's going, Correa may be pricing himself out of Houston. If he stays healthy and keeps performing, Correa's own words will come back to haunt the Astros for not paying him: "What are they gonna say now?"

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Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



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