Those following the Carlos Correa saga last saw him agree to an 11-year contract with the SF Giants with a signing ceremony set for yesterday. Then, that was canceled as some type of “medical issue” popped up in the physical. Now, we wake up today and Correa has apparently agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract with the Mets to play 3rd base next to Lindor at shortstop.

Steve Cohen clearly is not concerned about his payroll (somewhere around $380 million now) with another $100 million in luxury tax on top of that. He is the new George Steinbrenner of baseball. Assuming the “medical issue” is not a big deal and Correa passes his Mets’ physical, they immediately become one of the 1-2 favorites for 2023 to win it all. And the NL East is also the center of the universe with 3 great teams in the Phillies, Braves and Mets.

Now, SU is not a fan of the long-term contracts as we all know they end badly, and the Mets will have 2 of them on the left side of the infield. The Yankees will have Stanton and Judge in that category soon enough as well. But as a fan, you love to see your owner spending money on your team and for Met fans, they have not had this since…. forever. They are also unveiling a new center field scoreboard in 2023 which may be the 2nd tallest structure in New York City.

Exciting times in Flushing. Good for baseball? Probably not but certainly within the rules and Steve Cohen has the money to spend so good for him. As the Yankees tread water with their own inflated payroll and watch Matt Carpenter sign with the Padres and Benintendi with the White Sox, one wonders what their strategy is? SU is fine going with the top prospects in 2023 and giving them a shot. Always prefer the youngsters vs. watching Stanton pull his calf muscles running out to right field once a week.

So, Met fans – was this a good thing? Money well spent?

Hal Steinbrenner is not his dad but he can read the tea leaves. Steve Cohen’s payroll over at the Mets is pushing $350 million and Hal’s long-time position of “we have a budget” is now officially out the window. First it was $360 million for Aaron Judge (“double Chai” for our Jewish subscribers) and now $162 million for 6 years for the “oft” (as in always) injured Carlos Rodon. It’s a risk but SU says well worth it.

The reality is that pitching and throwing a baseball close to 100 mph is an unnatural motion. Arms and muscles were not meant to do this year after year. That’s why there are so many injuries and Tommy John surgeries. The chances of any pitcher making it through his contract unscathed are low. Look at Luis Severino: he is on the IL every year. As in every year. SU says roll the dice on Rodon and go for the championship in 2023.

The Yankees still have a need in left field unless they feel Aaron Hicks will be getting better with age (here’s a hint: he’s not). Andrew Benintendi is still out there but rumor has it he wants to play in warmer weather down South (hey, Yankee Stadium is in the South Bronx). The other option is Bryan Reynolds on the Pirates who could be acquired in a trade for Gleyber Torres and a top prospect. SU is interested to see how Brian Cashman plays it.

Some were predicting that the Mets would get Carlos Correa but it was hard to see how you load up so much money between Lindor and him. Smart to have stayed away from that one. And what is up with the 8 – 9 year deals for shortstops who will be 40 years old at the end of their deals? Is this the new normal? It’s clear that owners are sitting on a ton of cash and are spending this off season.

SU is getting a bit frustrated with the NBA. It’s not a good look when a team in the Western Conference makes its only appearance in an Eastern Conference city and then rests 3 of its starters for “load management.” As a fan, you may have shelved out hundreds of dollars for a ticket to see Steph Curry or Durant and then he is resting? No doubt, it’s the coaches sending a message to the League Office that they don’t like the back-to-back games but it’s the reality of the business. SU does not recall the Knicks doing that back in the late 1960s with Red Holzman the only coach and the trainer, Danny Whelan, keeping track of timeouts and stats. So funny today to see 3 assistants on the bench and then about 5 – 6 more in the row behind. Different era.

Finally, World Cup soccer is pretty cool. SU has watched its share of games and while there are long stretches where little is happening (picture watching Chapman pitching last year), the ability of these guys to thread passes in the box is pretty amazing. I am still not there but starting to get it. Next, I will work on hockey!

Met and Yankee fans: are you feeling it for 2023?

Nine years; $360 million. But hey, it’s a living. The Yankees may have wanted to get this done in April of this past year. SU likes Judge and nice that he will stay in New York but this contract will not end well. The question is how many years will he be healthy and productive?

You can say it’s not your money and just sign him but Hal manages to a budget and you have to wonder how they fill in the other pieces now. Cashman is signed for 4 more years as well. $40 beers coming to a theatre near you.

Good move by the Yankees? Too much money in Stanton and Judge now to build around them effectively? Thoughts?

SU was surprised to see that the Texas Rangers backed up the Brinks truck to give Jacob deGrom $185 million for 5 years. Last time I checked, deGrom is 34 years old and if I do the match correctly, he will be 39 at the end of this deal. He has a recent history of arm and shoulder issues. He throws over 100 mph and the biology says that it’s hard to stay healthy in baseball doing that for any extended period. The Mets were smart to walk away from this one. You can’t criticize Steve Cohen – the right move. Max Scherzer is already commanding over $40 million a year and there are not many examples of hard throwers lasting this long other than Justin Verlander.

Meanwhile, the latest talk on Aaron Judge is 9 years. That will put him at just about 40 years old. Now, he is a great guy, the face of the franchise and is coming off a historic season. He will be the next Yankee captain. The Yankees apparently have 8 years and $300 million on the table. If the SF Giants are offering the 9th year, you know Hal will go for it although rumor has it that Cashman is not as enamored about resigning Judge as Hal. SU says hold your nose and get it done. We will pay $22 for beers and $40 for a burger and fries. Perhaps they will clear the roster now of the Josh Donaldsons (least favorite Yankee player for SU) and try and move the Generational One (not possible). SU is ready to bring up the youngsters.

The BCS Committee will make its decision in a few hours. SU says this should be easy: 1) Georgia; 2) Michigan; 3) TCU; and 4) Ohio State. TCU has a strong strength of schedule and should not be penalized for losing in OT in a conference championship game. Ohio State should not jump 2 spots from #5 to #3 without playing and if the Committee wants a rematch with Michigan, that’s fine but it should be in the championship game. Alabama? No – absolutely not. True, their losses were in close games but so were a few of their wins. They are stacked with first round draft picks but they are not worthy or deserving this year with 2 losses. Apparently the BCS has never had a 2- loss team in the final 4. Case closed. Please do not surprise us.

Finally, props to the US Men’s Soccer Team for a great World Cup showing. The 2026 World Cup is going to be in North America and the 22-year olds on this year’s team will be in their prime in a few years. The US should be well-positioned for that next World Cup. Btw, Saudi Arabia is a leading contender for the 2030 World Cup. I mean, that cannot happen right?