Carlos Correa clears the air about Astros' last-ditch effort to re-sign him

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Carlos Correa clears the air about Astros' last-ditch effort to re-sign him
The Astros didn't make another offer. Composite image by Jack Brame.

ESPN's Marly Rivera caught up with former Astros SS Carlos Correa on Wednesday and asked him about signing with the Twins and what happened with the Astros. Correa told Rivera that he has "nothing but love" for the Astros and their organization. But he also said the Astros never made him an offer post-lockout. Wow. Really, Astros?

Apparently there was no effort made by the Astros to re-sign Correa in recent weeks, in contrast to what was heavily reported. If Correa is telling the truth, and I believe he is, then all the noise about the Astros making Correa another offer were false.

It certainly sounds like the reports about the Astros sending Correa a revised contract offer were bogus, and possibly coming from Correa's agent, Scott Boras. And this makes so much sense on every level. If Boras was trying to get every penny he could for Correa, using the Astros as leverage is just good business. Unfortunately, Astros fans got their hopes up for nothing.

Plus, it makes the tweet from ESPN Houston's John Granato's look even more accurate. The Astros made their final offer before the lockout and that was that. Correa preferred the offer from Minnesota, and he took it. This also explains why Jim Crane might have been a little put off. With all these false reports floating around, Crane had to have thought they were coming from Correa's camp in an effort to get Carlos more money elsewhere.

Baseball is a business. Period.

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The Astros beat the Pirates, 3-0. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images.

Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six sparkling innings for his first win since 2022, and Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes hit late home runs as the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Tuesday night.

McCullers (1-1) won a tight duel with Pirates ace Paul Skenes, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven. It was his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, at Tampa Bay.

The right-hander missed the past two seasons because of injuries, then was winless in his first five starts this year after being activated from the injured list on May 4.

Skenes (4-6) was nearly as dazzling in defeat, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings. He struck out eight and walked one as the Pirates lost for the third time in four games.

Skenes’ record is two games under .500 despite a 2.05 ERA.

Walker hit a first-pitch sweeper from Skenes into the left-field bleachers with one out in the seventh to break a scoreless tie. It was the first baseman’s eighth home run this season.

Paredes added a two-run shot in the ninth, his 12th, off Dennis Santana.

Shawn Dubin, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader worked an inning apiece to complete the four-hitter. Hader his converted all 16 of his save opportunities this season.

Houston won the opener of a three-game series for its seventh victory in nine games.

The Astros pitched their sixth shutout of the year. The Pirates have been blanked 10 times in 61 games.

Key moment

With the Pirates down 1-0 and runners on first and second with one out in the eighth, Oneil Cruz grounded into a forceout. Then he was caught stealing to end the inning.

Key stat

Skenes has pitched at least eight innings three times in his two-year career and the Pirates have lost all three games.

Up next

Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.62 ERA) starts Wednesday night for Houston against fellow rookie right-hander Mike Burrows (0-1, 8.64).

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