Carlos Correa Considered Transition to Third Base with Twins

The Houston Astros just highlighted a wild moment in Carlos Correa’s MLB journey. The All-Star shortstop made his first-ever appearance at third base after a surprising midseason trade from the Minnesota Twins.

This move marks a real turning point for Correa. He’d always anchored shortstop on both sides of the ball, but now he’s taking on a new spot on the field.

The trade sent shockwaves through the Twins’ infield and front office. It’s set up a pretty compelling postseason storyline, if you ask me.

The Transition to Third Base: A Long Time Coming

Correa’s slide over to the hot corner didn’t come out of nowhere. People have floated the idea of him playing third for years, honestly.

With the Twins, Correa actually went to manager Rocco Baldelli more than once—after both the 2023 and 2024 seasons—to talk about shifting from shortstop to third. He wanted to get ahead of the game and start prepping for a late-career position change, something a lot of infielders think about as their range starts to fade.

Correa pushed for the switch, but the Twins kept him at short. He was still performing, and their roster just didn’t have a great fit for that move.

Royce Lewis, who used to play shortstop, had already moved to third after battling through knee surgeries. Brooks Lee, their top shortstop prospect, just wasn’t quite ready for the majors yet. Timing, as always, was everything.

A Decline in Defensive Range Pushes the Issue

This season, Correa’s defensive numbers took a real hit. He’d built his rep on smooth movement and range at short, but lately, those skills have slipped.

The Twins thought about moving him off shortstop during the offseason. But with five years left on a six-year, $200 million contract, they hesitated to make such a bold move so soon.

The trade to Houston changed the equation. Suddenly, Correa got a fresh start and a chance to step into a new role.

Funny enough, Correa had already agreed to play third for the New York Mets back during his wild 2022-2023 free agency, but that deal collapsed over medical concerns. Now, with the Astros, he finally gets the shot he wanted—this time, on his own terms.

The Ripple Effect: Impact on the Minnesota Twins

Losing Correa leaves the Twins with a big hole at shortstop. Their plan is to make Brooks Lee the everyday guy there moving forward.

Lee’s been one of their most hyped prospects, so this is a huge opportunity for him to step up.

Royce Lewis, who’s bounced back from two ACL tears, remains a key piece. His shift to third base keeps the infield steady, but the Twins know they’ll need more depth as injuries and contracts shake things up down the road.

New Additions and a Shift in Strategy

The Twins haven’t just sat still since the trade. They grabbed Alan Roden from the Blue Jays and wasted no time putting him near the top of the lineup.

On the mound, José Ureña is set to start in place of Simeon Woods Richardson, who’s out for reasons the team says aren’t injury-related.

Looking ahead, the Twins are getting some promising signs from their young talent. First-overall pick Marek Houston just debuted in Class A, and the team’s waiting on Luke Keaschall to come back from injury to help out at first base.

They’re still eyeing the playoffs, but you can tell their moves are about more than just this year. There’s a sense they’re building for the future, too, even if it means a few bumps along the way.

Carlos Correa’s Legacy and What Lies Ahead

Correa steps onto the field for Houston at third base, opening a new chapter in his already impressive career. He’s still one of the league’s most electrifying hitters, and his choice to shift positions really shows his commitment to the team.

The Astros get a big boost by bringing in a veteran like Correa. His knack for driving in runs and his postseason experience could make all the difference as they chase another World Series trophy.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins have to lean into their youth movement now. Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, and Marek Houston are front and center, and honestly, it’s up to them to show whether the team can bounce back after losing Correa.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Carlos Correa asked to move to third base with Twins as early as 2023