Carlos Correa talking with other teams as Mets contract remains on hold: source

NEW YORK — The situation between the Mets and Carlos Correa has taken a turn this week, with new teams jumping into the mix.

A source confirmed to the New York Daily News that Correa’s camp is talking to other clubs while dialogue with the Mets continues. Multiple reports have named the Minnesota Twins as one of the interested clubs.

Correa played for the Twins last season after signing a three-year, $105.3 million contract as a free agent last winter. The shortstop opted out after the season to become a free agent for the second straight winter.

The Mets and Correa came to an agreement on a 12-year, $305 million contract on Dec. 20, pending a physical. This came hours after a deal fell through with the San Francisco Giants for a 13-year, $350 million contract. The Giants had concerns with his right leg and ankle, which was surgically repaired in 2014 while Correa was in the minor leagues. The Mets seemingly had the same concerns with his physical and the two parties have yet to agree on an amended contract.

Correa is expected to move to third base in New York and the Mets would then try to trade Eduardo Escobar, who has one more year left on his contract. An Amazin’ offseason is mostly complete, but negotiations are holding up the rest of the housekeeping items on the Mets’ list

Even Las Vegas oddsmakers have jumped into the fray trying to predict where Correa will end up. The Mets are still the leaders in the clubhouse and reports suggest that the club is still confident they will be able to land the two-time MVP and 2015 AL Rookie of the Year.

What does this all mean? It could mean that Correa is intrigued by the possibility of returning to Minnesota. Or, it could mean that the Twins are simply doing their due diligence and checking in on an elite player to whom they recently offered a 10-year, $285 million contract. In the grand scheme of things, it really just means that the Mets and Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, are still negotiating.

Both parties have stayed quiet over the last few weeks with Correa and his wife, Daniella, taking time to celebrate the holidays with family and documenting it on social media. Steve Cohen wanted Correa badly enough to go on record and talk about the contract before it was formally completed, so industry sources and Vegas oddsmakers are still favoring the Mets.

It’s another chapter in what is turning out to be a very complicated, drawn-out saga.