Report: Astros considering trading Correa to alleviate payroll crunch

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.