Carlos Correa and his signing saga seem to have ended in what can only be described as a tame announcement. With the shortstop signing on with the Minnesota Twins on a 3-year contract, some fans might be disappointed, especially considering that he was at a point in discussions with big market teams like the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs.
Even his incumbent team, the Houston Astros, were considered a contender at a time to re-sign the star. The Astros however, appear to have moved on. And they’re glad about it.
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With Spring Training starting and baseball action beginning to pick up closer to Opening Day, the Houston Astros seem to have found an able replacement. While Correa was a threat both on offense and defense, finding a replacement was bound to be a challenge. But the Astros farm system seems to have churned up a diamond in the rough. Jeremy Pena is capturing fans’ imaginations across the city, and that’s not without reason.
Jeremy Pena – The next Astros superstar?
Amidst some stunning Spring Training displays from the young shortstop, he has managed to mirror and in some aspects, even outshine Correa in his performance. With some solid defensive plays, Pena has also managed some absolute dingers. His offensive contribution to the team has also not gone unnoticed and certainly not by the fans.
Nobody will ever be able to replace Correa, but BOY Jeremy Peña is looking NICE
— David (@DDesantiago_) April 3, 2022
Rookie SS Jeremy Pena is already helping Astros fans forget about @TeamCJCorrea ! He’s killing it this Spring and has 2 more HRS today! pic.twitter.com/cW3tRbIUq9
— Mark J. Elfenbein (@iamelf) April 3, 2022
Journalist Mike Schwabe too seemed to post some statistics that only added to the hype. Even though initial statistics are no long-term indicator, the young Pena has certainly gotten off to a flying start.
2022 Spring Training stats:
Jeremy Peña: 7 games, 17 AB, 3 R, 7 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 SO, .412 AVG, 1.286 OPS
Carlos Correa: 5 games, 14 AB, 4 R, 4 H, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 4 SO, .286 AVG, 1.072 OPS
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) April 3, 2022
While some were lauding his performances, some fans went as far as to peek into the future; and what they saw will not stand to disappoint. While fans hyping player performances is nothing new; them doing it in the wake of the departure of a superstar is certainly fun to see pan out.
I told those who were upset about Correa leaving… My boy Jeremy Peña will be just fine!! He is the future🔥🔥
— Ryan Hernandez (@RyanLH555) April 3, 2022
I don’t need to see Carlos Correa highlights anymore. He’s no longer an Astro so we focus to Jeremy Pena now.
— Kevin (@limpbaddymormon) March 27, 2022
Jeremy Peña doesn’t need to be Carlos Correa for this team to be good. But damn he looks pretty good so far this spring. #Astros
— Ty Garl (@DTDTGarl) April 3, 2022
🗣 Jeremy Peña will have a better season than Carlos Correa.
— 🧩James🧩 (@autch14) March 29, 2022
An ideal replacement?
With Correa virtually swapping out player for player, the fans seemed overjoyed at how the Houston Astros had played this whole situation out.
2021: Springer out, Kyle Tucker in.
2022: Correa out, Jeremy Peña in.
No problemo, just keep this thing rolling ‘stros.
— Matthew Tynan (@Matthew_Tynan) April 3, 2022
There was, however, some envy from rival fan bases, too. Or so Astros Twitter will have you believe.
Ugh, I’m not ready for Jeremy Peña to be instantly good and for the Astros to replace Correa in stride https://t.co/zx1FFqZUHQ
— Phangraphs (@Phangraphs) March 29, 2022
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Jeremy Peña is going to make us forget about Correa very fast
— Kyle Doll (@KW_Doll) April 3, 2022
Jeremy Pèna. 😳 2 dingers today? My boy say “Correa who?!” Let’s see if it translates!
— James Scruggs (@JTripleTV) April 3, 2022
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Perhaps one fan summed it up best for Spring Training output as he put out a truly multi-layered tweet.
Carlos pena? Or was it Jeremy Correa or something like that
— Dot got her Astros! (@DotMushinski) April 3, 2022
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But what do you think? Have the Astros found an able replacement?