A-Rod’s welcome message to Carlos Correa will hit Yankees fans strangely

During the endgame of Carlos Correa’s 2022-23 free agency (Parts III and IV of a two-year saga), we heard plenty about the shortstop’s interest in the New York Yankees, as well as the generalities of the New York City lifestyle.

According to Jon Heyman, in the wake of his Giants deal disintegrating, Correa’s camp gave it one last college try, calling the Yankees to sell the team on their client. While the Bombers didn’t respond, the Mets enthusiastically claimed their man, causing Correa to tackle Scott Boras to the bed out of excitement (reportedly, we weren’t there).

Unfortunately, things went downhill from there, as the two sides couldn’t stop tripping over Correa’s surgically-repaired ankle. Several weeks of negotiations eventually imploded, leading Correa right back to his previous home in Minnesota … where his hero, Alex Rodriguez, was waiting for him.

Yankees fans were always told that Correa idolized Rodriguez and would someday look to replicate his path — eg, moving to third base in New York City.

Maybe the path Correa was always destined to emulate instead was “moving to Minnesota, becoming a Snow Guy and eventually using your massive wealth to invest in a lower-tier Minneapolis sports team”? A-Rod welcomed Correa from the snowbanks on Friday, and fans of the Bronx Bombers can’t help but feel like everything went almost according to plan.

Alex Rodriguez is the King of Minnesota. Carlos Correa followed him there over heading to Yankees.

Do we just have to accept that Alex Rodriguez is a Minnesota Guy now? Because he’s really making that his whole thing. Flannels, a red hot Jucy Lucy, reaching into the snow with bare hands and pulling out a frigid chunk … but hey, that’s just how we do it in St. Paul. It’s enough to make Correa want to go in on a piece of Minnesota Wild ownership.

Correa’s flair for the dramatic and playoff fire would’ve been a welcome addition to the Yankees in a vacuum, but the long-term health concerns were very real — and, besides, Brian Cashman made it obvious time and again that he wasn’t interested. This is Aaron Judge’s team for the long haul. The fiery pieces have to fit by his side. This wasn’t a match.

Go forth, Carlos, and craft your legacy by A-Rod’s side like you’ve always wanted to. And don’t forget your snowblower. Way easier than a shovel.