The Houston Astros took one last stab at trying to re-sign Carlos Correa, and it doesn't appear to have worked.
Houston offered its free-agent All-Star shortstop a five-year, $160-million contract after the season ended, a source told the Houston Chronicle's Chandler Rome. That offer was not close to Correa's asking price in both terms and dollars.
It's only the latest Astros proposal that was apparently too low for Correa. In spring training, the club reportedly proposed a six-year extension in the $120-million range and another five-year, $125-million deal. Correa acknowledged at that time that he turned down some offers from Houston and ultimately halted negotiations before the campaign started.
The former first overall pick's still seeking a "big, long contract," according to Rome - one that could perhaps even rival Francisco Lindor's $341-million extension with the New York Mets.
Correa, who won his first career Gold Glove on Sunday, is hitting free agency after one of his best all-around seasons. He appeared in 148 games - his highest total since 2016 - while posting an .850 OPS and reaching career highs in homers (26), runs scored (104), and WAR (5.8). Correa's 21 defensive runs saved were tops among shortstops.
The Astros tendered Correa a qualifying offer on Sunday, which he's widely expected to decline. If he signs elsewhere in free agency, Houston will receive draft-pick compensation.