Carlos Correa returned to Houston in 2025 after a lucrative stint in Minnesota — but the contract that made it all possible was the one he signed with the Twins back in January 2023: 6 years, $200 million fully guaranteed. It keeps him among the highest-paid players in the game, and it almost didn’t happen at all.
Before landing in Minnesota for the second time, Correa had two other megadeals fall apart — first a reported 13-year, $350 million offer from the Giants, then a 12-year, $315 million agreement with the Mets. Both collapsed after team doctors flagged concerns about his right ankle. So he went back to the Twins.
The Contract at a Glance
- Team: Minnesota Twins
- Signed: January 11, 2023
- Length: 6 years (2023–2028)
- Total guaranteed value: $200 million
- Average annual value: $33.3 million
- 2026 salary: $32.8 million
- No-trade clause: Yes
How the Deal Is Structured
The structure is straightforward by MLB standards: no complex deferrals, no escalating bonuses. The money is spread relatively flat across six seasons, with Correa earning $33.3 million per year on average and $32.8 million specifically in 2026.
Every dollar is fully guaranteed — standard in MLB, where contracts are protected regardless of injury or performance. If a team wants out, they still owe the player every remaining cent.
On top of that, Correa negotiated a no-trade clause, giving him veto power over any deal. He doesn’t go anywhere without his consent. That’s leverage — both on the field and in any future market.
Where Correa Ranks Among the Game’s Biggest Earners
- #37 — All-time largest contracts in MLB history (by total guaranteed value)
- #17 — Highest average annual value among active contracts in 2026
- #12 — Highest single-season salary in 2026
Rankings based on total guaranteed value, without discounting deferred money. Data from Spotrac and Baseball-Reference as of August 11, 2026.
It’s an elite contract — but not the kind that dominates headlines. Several shortstops and pitchers are earning more per year. Still, landing in the top 12 salaries for 2026 and top 37 all-time is nothing to dismiss.
His Previous Contracts
Before the $200 million deal, Correa had already signed with the Twins once before — a $105 million agreement in 2022 as a free agent after years with Houston. Then came the failed Giants and Mets negotiations. When those fell through, he returned to Minnesota on more modest total numbers but with full security: every dollar guaranteed, no asterisks.
Career Earnings
Add it all up across his MLB career — base salaries, signing bonuses, and earned bonuses — and Carlos Correa has collected $305 million in guaranteed money. That figure doesn’t include endorsements or any income from outside the United States.
