It's Carlos Correa time in Houston once again.
The Astros reacquired their former first overall pick from the Minnesota Twins for minor-league left-hander Matt Mikulski and cash, the teams announced Thursday. Correa waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the move.
In interview with MLB. com, Correa says he’s happy to come home to the team where he started career. He said it was clear Minnesota wasn’t going in the direction he wanted and they agreed to find a trade.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 31, 2025
“I let them know there was only one team I would allow that to happen.”
The Twins sent $33 million to Houston to cover a portion of the $104 million Correa is guaranteed over the rest of his deal, ESPN's Jeff Passan and Buster Olney report. Houston will be responsible for the rest of his money.
Correa is in the third season of a six-year, $200-million contract that includes four club options, which begin in 2029.
He'll move from shortstop to third base in Houston to replace the injured Isaac Paredes. Paredes is on the injured list with a hamstring injury and is reportedly expected to miss at least two months, putting his season in jeopardy.
When Correa debuts at the hot corner, it'll mark the first time in his professional career that he's played a position other than shortstop. However, he moved to third base while representing Puerto Rico at the 2023 World Baseball Classic in deference to Francisco Lindor.
"We were waiting for a shortstop to come in (with the Twins), and now that I get to play third base, it will be great for me at this stage of my career," Correa told McTaggart.
Correa helped the Astros secure three pennants and the 2017 World Series title during his initial seven-year run in Houston. He joined the Twins on a one-year deal in 2022 after a contract standoff with the Astros.
During his free agency in 2023, Correa had separate megadeals with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets fall through after he failed physicals with both clubs. He then returned to Minnesota on his current contract.
Over his four years in the Twin Cities, the 30-year-old hit .271/.345/.440 with 61 homers and 214 RBIs. He helped the Twins reach the playoffs in 2023.
The Astros also acquired former Gold Glove third baseman Ramón Urías from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.
Mikulski, the prospect heading to Minnesota, signed with Houston in May after being released by the San Francisco Giants. The 26-year-old owns a lifetime 6.46 ERA across 108 minor-league appearances since 2021.
