They may say the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/lebron-james-and-other-nba-greats-who-could-have-had-successful-nfl-careers-20221221-SPD-3274.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> is where the unbelievable occurs, but the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/aaron-judge-and-other-top-3-potential-mlb-free-agents-20221113-SPD-3150.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLB</a> isn’t too far behind. There are often surprising transactions and overseas signings throughout the offseason.



Even this year didn’t break that pattern. You never know what’s going to happen in this league, what with the New York Mets signing Kodai Senga to a large contract and Cody Bellinger earning MVP-kind of money.



Even more so with Carlos Correa’s impromptu transfer to Queens at the last minute, this offseason has all the makings of being one of the wildest in recent memory. Given this, let’s examine the three deals that shocked people the most.



<h2>3. Xander Bogaerts</h2>



While it was not unexpected for Xander Bogaerts to have significant interest from many organizations, the fact that he signed with the San Diego Padres was stunning.



Spending large money on superstars is a clear step in the right way as the Padres aim to construct a contender. However, one has to consider whether this is really the best arrangement for both people involved.



<h2>2. Jacob deGrom</h2>



Generally speaking, opinions on Jacob deGrom were divided. The Mets had the support of 50 percent of those polled, while the Braves had the support of percent. So, it came as a surprise when the Texas Rangers came out of nowhere to sign the finest pitcher in baseball to a massive contract.



<h2>1. Carlos Correa</h2>



It was planned that the San Francisco Giants will formally welcome <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/carlos-correa-aaron-judge-and-top-10-largest-mlb-contracts-of-all-time-20221214-SPD-3255.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carlos Correa</a> to the team on Tuesday morning. Instead, he will join the New York Mets.



Correa’s 13-year, $350 million agreement with San Francisco fell through when a medical concern was discovered during his physical, which was discovered only hours before his planned introduction news conference in San Francisco. According to reports, the Mets came in during the night and agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract with Correa.

Carlos Correa and the most shocking MLB trades in this offseason - thesportsdrops NEWS

Carlos Correa and the most shocking MLB trades in this offseason

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Last Monday, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/aaron-judge-and-other-top-3-potential-mlb-free-agents-20221113-SPD-3150.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aaron Judge</a>, who is now holding the title of Most Valuable Player in the American League, re-signed with the New York Yankees after reaching an agreement on a nine-year deal for $360 million. According to reports, the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres made a late effort at signing Judge, but he ultimately decided to sign with the New York Yankees. However, the significant offseason expenditure in baseball was not finished.



The talented shortstop <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/nolan-arenado-to-stay-at-cardinals-after-declining-to-exercise-opt-out-clause-20221029-SPD-3063.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carlos Correa</a> agreed to a contract with the Giants this week that is worth $350 million over 13 years. Both Judge and Correa now hold spots in the top five of the all-time list of the largest contracts in Major League Baseball history. The position players’ market now has a new standard to measure up to thanks to Judge’s average yearly worth of $40 million. 



This record had previously been held by Mike Trout, who had earned $35.54 million throughout his career. Although Judge’s average annual value (AAV) did not surpass that of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander of the New York Mets, who both have an AAV of $43.3 million annually, he still has enough to celebrate.



After all, this development follows in the footsteps of his decision, made just before the start of the season, to turn down a seven-year deal with an approximate value of $213 million. Although Correa’s 13-year deal does not have a significant average annual value (AAV), it still ranks fourth all-time in terms of guaranteed money.



According to Cot’s Contracts, the following are the top 10 costliest contracts in the history of MLB in terms of overall value, as well as the top 5 richest contracts in terms of average yearly value. It is important to point out that four of the five contracts were signed in either the previous or the most recent offseason. In point of fact, Verlander, deGrom, and Judge all put pen to paper during this month. 



The huge contract that Judge just signed after an unprecedented campaign for the team. As a result of his 62 home runs, he set new marks for the American League and the Yankees in terms of the most home runs hit in a single season. Both of these records had previously been held by Roger Maris, who set the previous mark in 1961 by hitting 61 home runs.



<h2>Largest contracts (total money) in MLB history</h2>



<ol><li>Mike Trout, Angels: $426.5 million (2019-30)</li><li>Mookie Betts, Dodgers: $365 million (2021-32)</li><li>Aaron Judge, Yankees: $360 million (2023-31)</li><li>Carlos Correa, Giants: $350 million (2023-2035)</li><li>Francisco Lindor, Mets: $341 million (2022-31)</li><li>Fernando Tatis, Padres: $340 million (2021-34)</li><li>Bryce Harper, Phillies: $330 million (2019-2031)</li><li>Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins/Yankees: $325 million (2015-2027)</li><li>Corey Seager, Rangers: $325 million (2022-31)</li><li>Gerrit Cole, Yankees: $324 million (2020-28)</li></ol>



<h2>Highest average annual value (AAV) in MLB history</h2>



<ol><li>Max Scherzer, Mets: $43.33 million (2022-24)</li><li>Justin Verlander, Mets: $43.33 million (2023-24)</li><li>Aaron Judge, Yankees: $40 million (2023-31)</li><li>Jacob deGrom, Rangers: $37 million (2023-27)</li><li>Gerrit Cole, Yankees: $36 million (2020-28)</li></ol>

Carlos Correa, Aaron Judge and top 10 largest MLB contracts of all time - thesportsdrops NEWS

Carlos Correa, Aaron Judge and top 10 largest MLB contracts of all time

The conclusion of the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/nolan-arenado-to-stay-at-cardinals-after-declining-to-exercise-opt-out-clause-20221029-SPD-3063.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Series</a> signals a shift in attention to the future, and more particularly, the 2022 class of <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/aaron-boone-slated-to-continue-as-yankeess-manager-in-2023-20221027-SPD-3047.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Major League Baseball</a> free agents. At 5:00 PM (ET) on Thursday, the free agency market officially began, allowing players to seek the greatest possible compensation for their services.



CBS Sports, as usual, have rated the best free agents of the class based on our assessments and forecasts of the market. A mix of projected Annual Average Value and anticipated effect is used to determine placement.



Each player also has a limited number of possible landing teams. Since last Sunday’s conclusion of the World Series, six free agents have signed contracts with big league teams; four of them are relievers.



<h2>3. Carlos Correa</h2>



In April, Correa only hit one home run, contributing to a dreadful stat line that followed him into the summer and made it seem as if he was having a bad season overall, despite the fact that his performance had improved significantly by that point. In other words, he is still a top-tier player, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he finally got the contract he deserved. The Dodgers, Cubs, and Twins are some of his landing destinations as per CBS.



<h2>2. Jacob deGrom</h2>



Since making his debut in 2014, of course, he has been one of the best pitchers in the league, earning himself two Cy Young Awards and four selections to the All-Star Game. DeGrom is a half-year away from turning 35, but injuries have restricted his career to only 26 starts over the last two seasons. Generally speaking, pitchers’ health declines as they get older.



Eventually, a team will shell out the cash to give themselves a shot at adding a true ace to their rotation, but if deGrom’s body continues to refuse to cooperate, that team may come to regret their investment. Such examples are the Mets, Rangers, and Giants, as per CBS.



<h2>1. Aaron Judge</h2>



He has a high batting average, walks often, hits for power (interesting fact: he set a new American League record for home runs in a season), and has one of the best-throwing arms in the outfield. To further demonstrate his shape, the Yankees played him in center field for the majority of the season.



The criticisms were leveled against Judge in the spring when he turned down a seven-year agreement for $213.5 million. Among his possible new destinations, CBS see the Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers.

Aaron Judge and other top 3 MLB free agents and their potential destinations - thesportsdrops NEWS

Aaron Judge and other top 3 MLB free agents and their potential destinations

For months, the future of Carlos Correa was one of the biggest talking points in <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/mlb-rumors-joe-musgrove-turns-down-padres-contract-extension-offer-339-20220504-SPD-339.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLB</a> – besides the lockout, of course. The star shortstop headed towards free agency, so many <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/the-top-3-mlb-rivalries-of-all-time-267-20220503-SPD-267.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">teams</a> were inevitably linked with him.



The Minnesota Twins eventually emerged victorious in the battle for Correa, leaving a huge vacancy at the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/mlb-world-series-champions-list-of-all-time-winners-80-20220502-SPD-80.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astros</a>. However, Houston seemed to be quite prepared for his departure.



The Astros promoted Jeremy Peña, who had been waiting for his chance to become the team’s starting shortstop. Despite the pressure he has on his shoulders, Peña revealed that Correa helped him a lot for this moment.



<h2>Jeremy Peña reveals Carlos Correa’s help before Astros promotion</h2>



“I can’t play someone else’s game, I have to play mine,” Peña said, per Peter Gammons of The Athletic, via ClutchPoints. “I am who I am. But let me tell you something, I consider Carlos not only a superstar player, but a superstar person. When we were in spring training together, he helped me all the time. 



“He showed me things, he told me to come talk about playing shortstop and dealing with big-league pressure. He never was worried about some kid shortstop (three years younger) coming to take his job. He knew I was just a minor leaguer hoping to play somewhere with him.”



That may be one of the reasons behind Peña’s great start to the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/mlb/mlb-playoffs-format-how-do-the-postseason-work-213-20220503-SPD-213.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">season</a>, besides his own talent. It also speaks highly of Correa, who in addition to being one of the best shortstops in the league, also appears to be a true leader in the locker room.

Carlos Correa

Carlos Correa and the most shocking MLB trades in this offseason

Carlos Correa, Aaron Judge and top 10 largest MLB contracts of all time

Aaron Judge and other top 3 MLB free agents and their potential destinations

Astros' Jeremy Peña explains how Carlos Correa prepared him for first MLB season

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