The SF Giants connection to the bizarre Carlos Correa trade back to the Astros

Carlos Correa is back with the Houston Astros after a surprise trade from the Minnesota Twins right before the deadline. There is a lesser-known SF Giants connection with this transaction, as former second-round pick Matt Mikulski was shipped to Minnesota to complete the deal.

The SF Giants connection to the bizarre Carlos Correa trade back to the Astros

That move gained traction quickly right before the trade deadline. He was in the third year of a six-year, $200 million pact. Correa's contract also includes options starting in 2029. It is always a bit bizarre to see a player with that type of contract move in the middle of the season, especially one who is underperforming like Correa.

Of course, the Giants-Correa connection is always hard to ignore. There is a parallel universe where Correa passes his physical with San Francisco in 2022 and is in the third year of his 13-year, $350 million deal. In hindsight, the Giants benefited from the deal falling through. At the moment, it was a fallout that put a lot of negative attention on the Giants.

Correa quickly spurned the Giants' deal to agree to an offer sheet with the New York Mets for 12 years and $315 million. He and the Mets were in a holding pattern over his physical. That eventually fell through, and the three-time All-Star returned to the Twins on a deal that included a lot of money and some potential risk-management options for Minnesota.

The returns on that deal have not been favorable, as Correa has struggled to stay on the field. He has missed time in each of the past three seasons for a variety of injuries. This includes nearly a two-month absence in 2024 for plantar fascitis.

The right-handed bat posted a .760 OPS with Minnesota after inking the long-term extension. While a respectable mark, much of that production came in 2024 when he recorded a .905 OPS with 14 home runs and 54 RBI in 367 plate appearances. He struggled to a .704 OPS in 364 plate appearances before the trade this year.

Correa rejoins the team that took him with the first overall pick in the 2012 draft. That just feels right. Who did Houston have to trade to complete the deal? That would be former Giants second-round pick Matt Mikulski.

Mikulski was selected out of Fordham University in 2021. His pro career has not matched the expectations that often come with a top pick, as he has tallied a 6.46 ERA across five minor league seasons. The Giants released the left-handed pitcher right before the start of the season. He caught on with the Astros organization not too long ago, but had a 7.63 ERA in 12 outings in the lower minors.