Scott Boras on why Carlos Correa's deal fell apart: 'I don’t understand the Mets'

'They knew the opinion of the Giants. So why did you negotiate when you know this thing in advance?'

1/15/2023, 4:30 PM
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After Carlos Correa told his side of the story about why his deal with the Mets fell through, his agent, Scott Boras, gave his version of events about two failed deals and one successful negotiation that led to the All-Star’s return to Minnesota.

After Correa’s huge-money deals with San Francisco and New York deteriorated due to concerns over his right ankle, Boras worked a deal to get the shortstop back to the Twins on a smaller, but still lucrative contract. And apparently, the agent had a lot on his mind about the entire ordeal and gave USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale a 2.5-hour phone interview this week.

After the Mets' physical turned up similar questions surrounding Correa's surgically repaired right ankle – New York consulted with orthopedic specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, the same person who raised concerns during the Giants' examination – Boras was apparently left seething.

“I don’t understand the Mets,’’ Boras told Nightengale. “I gave them all of the information. We had them talk to four doctors. They knew the issue the Giants had. And yet, they still call the same doctor the Giants used for his opinion. There was no new information. So why negotiate a contract if you were going to rely on the same doctor?

“It was different with the Giants because a doctor had an opinion they didn’t know about. But the Mets had notice of this. They knew the opinion of the Giants. So why did you negotiate when you know this thing in advance?"

San Francisco did not re-engage with talks after their physical, but the Mets attempted to find a solution. And Nightengale wrote that Boras offered language in the contract to protect New York: the contract would be reduced if the right ankle injury forced Correa to miss more than 60 days and the contract could be voided if he spent more than 120 days on the injured list over a two-year period. And if Correa finished the season on IL, he would be given a physical “to determine if they wanted to part ways.”

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Nightingale added the Mets slashed their 12-year, $315 million offer in half – guaranteeing $157.5 million for the first six years and club options that would require Correa to undergo a physical after every season of the remaining six seasons and the remaining $157.5 million.

“I said [to Mets lawyers], 'You’re now putting the contract at risk,' Boras told USA TODAY. “I’ve got to cover your risk by your deferral. You can’t have everything. You can’t defer the contract, save $100 million on the CBT taxes, and have him take all of the risk at the back of the contract that’s not guaranteed.’’

With the two sides in a contract staring contest over the apparent now-backloaded contract, Boras who had been in touch with the Twins, re-engaged in negotiations with Minnesota. The deal was agreed to on Jan. 9 and made official after a physical on Jan. 11.

That day, the Mets released a two-sentence statement: “We were unable to reach an agreement. We wish Carlos all the best.”

Boras, of course, believes his client got a better deal from Minnesota than the back-loaded one from New York, as Correa will earn $42.5 million more in the first six years than the Mets offered and $35 million more if the contract goes to eight years, Nightingale tabulated.

“I think this is a better deal for him because of the structure of the contract,’’ Boras said. “The likelihood of playing 12 years [without injury] was unforeseen. It wasn’t a favorable deal unless he had solid guarantee language. This contract is better because of the probability. There’s far more present value.’’

And the deal does not include any opt outs.

​​Boras told Nightengale with a laugh, “Look, we never want to go through anything like this again.’’

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