The Houston Astros reportedly locked up one of their pending free agents in right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. on Wednesday. However, extension talks with Carlos Correa don't appear to be going as smoothly.
Houston recently offered Correa a six-year extension in the $120-million range, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. That proposal didn't quite move the needle for the star shortstop, as discussions between the sides haven't progressed since then, according to Heyman.
Correa has been vocal about his desire to stay in Houston and remain "an Astro for life." But the clock is ticking for the franchise to get a deal done since the former first overall pick has already set Opening Day as a deadline for negotiations.
If he does hit the open market, Correa would be one of the most coveted players in a deep, star-studded class of free agents. The 26-year-old is a lifetime .276/.353/.480 hitter and one of the best all-around shortstops in baseball. Correa has accrued the fifth-most WAR at his position since 2015 despite battling multiple injuries over the last few seasons, per FanGraphs.
