Carlos Correa trade details: Astros reunite with star shortstop in blockbuster deal with Twins

The 2025 MLB trade deadline has brought a blockbuster reunion.

The Astros swung a deal with the Twins for shortstop Carlos Correa on Thursday, per MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Rumors began to grow in recent days that Houston was interested in bringing Correa back, and now, the AL West-leading squad has officially pulled the trade with Minnesota off.

Correa, 30, spent the first seven years of his career with the Astros, winning the 2017 World Series with the team. While he had some solid years with the Twins, most of Correa's best seasons have come in Houston, including a fifth-place AL MVP finish in 2021.

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Here's everything to know about the Astros acquiring Correa at the trade deadline and how he'll fit on their 2025 squad.

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Carlos Correa trade details

• Astros receive: SS Carlos Correa
• Twins receive: LHP Matt Mikulski

In the deal, Houston lands Correa, who will immediately bolster their lineup and left side of the infield following an injury to third baseman Isaac Paredes. With the Astros sitting atop the AL West yet again and contending for the AL's best record, Correa will be a significant acquisition for their pennant chase and the next few seasons. Houston also added outfielder Jesus Sanchez and third baseman Ramon Urias at the deadline.

In return, the Twins, who were considered sellers while sitting at 51-56 on Wednesday, get part of Correa's contract off the books, also reportedly receiving LHP prospect Matt Mikulski. Additionally, Jeff Passan reported that the Twins included $33 million in the Correa deal to help cover the remaining $104 million he is owed for the remainder of his contract that runs, which runs through 2028.

Rumors began to swirl around Correa for the first time in the days leading up to the deadline. The idea has always been for Correa to be a replacement at third base for Paredes, who went on the IL on July 19. Per The Athletic, Astros GM Dana Brown said on July 27 that Paredes' injury "is a little bit more severe than we projected" after it was initially called a right hamstring strain.

That left the Astros looking for a capable infield bat to replace Paredes, who has a strong .829 OPS this season. Brian Taggert and Bob Nightengale reported on Wednesday that the Astros' interest in Correa was "real."

Nightengale wrote that the Astros "fear" that Paredes will miss the rest of the season, and were "exploring the possibility" of acquiring Correa. The shortstop has a full no-trade clause as part of his current deal that he signed with the Twins, so he had complete power over his destination.

But Nightengale reported on Wednesday that Correa also had "told friends on the Houston Astros that he'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause to rejoin them, and would welcome playing third base." Correa and his family also still live in Houston in the offseason.

As buzz grew around Correa and the Astros, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Wednesday afternoon that Houston and Minnesota were still "far apart" in trade talks. But ultimately, the two sides were able to come to an agreement before the deadline, sending the star shortstop back to his first team.

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Carlos Correa career stats

Correa isn't having a good season by his standards, but he's still one of the more talented players in the league. Last season, he hit .310 with 14 home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .905 OPS across 86 games.

This year, Correa is hitting .267 with seven home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .704 OPS.

Here's a look at Correa's career numbers:

Carlos Correa contract

While Correa's not having an elite season at the plate, part of the reason he was a desirable target for Houston is the fact that he's under contract for three more seasons.

Per Spotrac, Correa signed a fully guaranteed six-year, $200 million deal with the Twins in 2023, which takes him through the 2028 season. He then has vesting options from 2029-2032, and if he doesn't become a free agent before then, he would hit unrestricted free agency in 2033.

Correa is making $37,333,33 this season, per Spotrac, but that number drops to around $32.83 million in 2026 and $31.83 million in 2027.

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Where will Carlos Correa play for the Astros?

The Astros already have a loaded infield, including Christian Walker at first, Brendan Rogers at second, Paredes at third, and Jeremy Pena at shortstop, which is Correa's natural position. Plus, they acquired Orioles third baseman Ramon Urias at the deadline as well.

However, with Paredes reportedly dealing with a torn hamstring that will sideline him for the rest of 2025, around 6-7 months per Bob Nightengale, the expectation is that Correa will slot in at third base for this season. Reports have indicated that Correa will "welcome" playing third base in place of Paredes.

Upon Paredes' return, it's unclear how the Astros would navigate their infield, whether moving Correa or Pena to second base or another option. Urias will likely serve as a backup infielder, with Correa the full-time third baseman.

Revisiting Carlos Correa's Astros career

Correa came up as a hyped prospect with the Astros, reaching the majors in 2015 and going on to win AL Rookie of the Year honors. He became a key member of the team's core that made the playoffs six times from 2015-21, including one World Series title in 2017, two losses in the Fall Classic, and two more losses in the ALCS.

Two of Correa's three All-Star selections came in an Astros uniform (2017 and 2021). He also won a Gold Glove with Houston in 2021 and finished fifth in AL MVP voting. 

The Astros offered Correa a five-year, $160 million contract as a free agent after the 2021 season, per Nightengale, but he turned it down for a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins at the time. 

Correa opted out of that Twins deal after one season, then wound up returning to Minnesota on a six-year, $200 million deal after a controversial free agency that saw him initially agree to deals with the Giants and Mets, but both teams voided the deal after his physical.

Now, Correa is back with the organization he came up and became a star with, reuniting with former teammates like Jose Altuve and Framber Valdez.