Detroit Tigers: Will the Yankees affect the pursuit of Carlos Correa?

The New York Yankees will need a shortstop. So do the Detroit Tigers. How much of this will affect the potential bidding war?

As Carlos Correa continues to have a mega post-season for the Houston Astros, it is safe to say that Detroit Tigers fans are counting down the days until the playoffs are over and free agency season begins.

With the collective bargaining agreement still up in the year, it leaves a strange vibe in the air on when signings can take place. In the meanwhile, we have the annual rumor mill beginning across the various websites on who the New York Yankees will make a bid on. Seems like clockwork that happens every season.

As Buster Olney of ESPN discussed in a recent article ($), the Yankees will pursue either Correa or Corey Seager. However, they have the second-largest payroll in MLB, next to the LA Dodgers but they are out of the postseason again with nothing to show for it.

Yankees fans are upset because the expectation is to go to the World Series every year and Yankee fans should feel confident based on this interview Correa did in Spanish a few weeks back when he said he like pinstripes and the east coast and deep pockets.

So, naturally, your thought goes to well the New York Yankees were pinstripes, and doubt sets in. But not so fast.

Fans can be forgiving, especially when a team picks up a player of Correa’s caliber and I am certain that Yankee fans would look the other way. But do they want to cut a check to one of the players involved in the cheating scandal?

Granted, based on some of the comments I have seen on social media, several Tigers fans would rather see Ryan Krielder over Correa. Yankee Leadership may worry about making payroll a little less bloated and New York has Anthony Volpe down in their system. I saw him down in Tampa against the Flying Tigers and he looks legit but he is a few years away.

So a long-term contract in theory would not make sense or they can trade Volpe to acquire more starting pitching help. But I am not worried about the Yankees.  I am worried about another team in pinstripes on the East Coast and a familiar face. Dave Dombrowski, the GM of the Philadelphia Phillies. They have payroll coming off the books as he said at this end-of-the-season media session, no stone will be unturned.

The Detroit Tigers have the pitching and need a premium bat. He can be a leader for a young team as he hits his prime.  Expect the same old narrative about Detroit to come into play. “They are not a free agent destination”.

But if you have a manager like A.J. Hinch, who knows Correra and has a good repertoire with him, it does count for something. I could go on and on about the cost of living in Michigan, etc but you already know. But expect the Phillies to make a push to address a big need in their infield.