Surprising favorite emerges in Carlos Correa sweepstakes

Baseball is officially back, and that means that baseball rumor season is officially back as well.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Friday that the Chicago Cubs are among the favorites to sign free agent slugger Carlos Correa. Morosi notes that the Cubs had heavy dialogue with Correa before the lockout began.

At first glance, the Cubs are a surprising favorite for Correa, who has also been pursued by several top contenders. The Cubs do not exactly fit that profile, having lost 91 games last season. They also TNT’d their roster to high heavens by trading away Kris Bryant, Javy Baez, Anthony Rizzo, and others in an apparent signal of a full-scale rebuild.

But Morosi adds that the Cubs, due to their sell-off, now have the payroll flexibility to absorb a massive multi-year contract. The team has also made some competitive free agent moves, signing both Marcus Stroman and Clint Frazier before the lockout began and just signing Andrelton Simmons this week. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports notes that the acquisition of Simmons, who plays shortstop, will not preclude the Cubs from signing Correa. Simmons also agreed to just a one-year deal.

The 27-year-old Correa already won a World Series with Houston in 2017, so it really depends on what his priorities are here. But working in the Cubs’ favor is their ability to offer him a huge payday as well as recent indications that Correa could make an interesting concession for the team he signs with.

Photo: Aug 4, 2020; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports