The Houston Astros have entertained the idea of trading star shortstop Carlos Correa to help lower the club's bloated payroll, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
However, a deal does not appear close with Correa's trade value down, Rosenthal reports. The former All-Star played in just 75 games in 2019 due to injuries but still managed to post a .926 OPS with 21 homers.
Trading the 25-year-old could also help Houston add pitching, with the team focused on extending a long-term contract to outfielder George Springer, according to Rosenthal.
Correa is projected to make $7.4 million in his second year of arbitration next season.
The Astros' current luxury-tax payroll stands at $231 million for 2020, which would put the team over Major League Baseball's second tax threshold of $228 million.
Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander, and Zack Greinke are currently signed to lucrative multi-year contracts with the Astros.
