Correa makes Astros return

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Carlos Correa, a World Series champion and Rookie of the Year with Houston, is headed back to the Astros in a blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Twins at Major League Baseball’s (MLB) trade deadline on Thursday.

The Astros confirmed Correa was headed back to Houston, with media reports saying he had agreed to play third base.

Correa, who waived his no-trade clause, told MLB.com that he and the Twins had agreed it was time for him to move on.

“I had some conversations with the front office in Minnesota and we were not moving (the direction) I thought we were after making the playoffs (in 2023),” Correa told the website.

“And they agreed with me that it was time to move me.”

“I let them know there was only one team I would allow that to happen. I’m coming home and there’s only one goal in mind and that’s to win championships.”

Puerto Rico’s Correa was the American League Rookie of the Year with the Astros in 2015 and won a World Series title in 2017.

Correa inked a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins in March 2022. He opted out of the final two seasons but after failing to make a move as a free agent re-signed with Minnesota.

USA Today reported the Twins will send $33 million to help cover his remaining contract.

Correa, 30, has had an inconsistent offensive season with seven home runs in 93 games.