The Astros have made a significant trade with the Twins, bringing Carlos Correa back to Houston to play third base.

Following the trade deadline, the Twins and Astros revealed a stunning trade: Carlos Correa is back with his old team, and the Astros also get cash compensation, while the Twins receive minor league lefty Matt Mikulski. According to Bob Nightengale from USA Today, the Twins will pay $33 million to cover Correa's remaining contract (totaling $96 million through 2028, including team options for 2029-2032).

Trade Details
Astros receive: infielder Carlos Correa, cash
Twins receive: minor league left-hander Matt Mikulski

Correa waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the return. Sources indicate he will take over third base for the Astros; the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove winner previously helped the Astros win a World Series championship.

“After discussing with the Twins' management, both sides recognized there were differences in the direction following the 2023 postseason,” Correa stated today to MLB.com, “I informed them that I would only accept a trade to specific teams.”

The Astros will face the Red Sox at Fenway Park tomorrow, and Correa confirmed his appearance: “The first game back will be filled with energy and fun, and the goal is simply to win a championship.”

Correa's performance this season has been inconsistent: he struggled at the start, then had an OPS of 0.875 in May, dropped to 0.682 in June, and rebounded to 0.759 in July. While he occasionally showed flashes of last year's key player, his stability has been lacking.

The 30-year-old Correa has recovered from plantar fasciitis, which had troubled him in recent years. He missed time this season due to a concussion from a collision with Byron Buxton and was sidelined again on Wednesday due to migraines. An old wrist injury has not affected his attendance, but his power output and walk rate have hit career lows.

Defensively, Correa's reduced range at shortstop has led to his transition to third base, coinciding with a severe right thigh injury to Astros' third baseman Isaac Paredes. “I have long desired to play third base,” Correa admitted, “and this transition aligns perfectly with the current stage of my career.”

Despite the drop in statistics, Correa remains a leader in the Twins' clubhouse, and this trade only happened because his former team extended an olive branch.