The energy surrounding the Astros feels like déjà vu. It’s the kind of buzz that only sweeps through the city when something big is happening. Just like the night Justin Verlander became an Astro in 2017 or when a then-unknown Yordan Alvarez arrived in 2016, hinting at the power to come. Now, that same electricity surges again with a twist of nostalgia. Carlos Correa is coming home.

Yet, this homecoming didn’t just happen overnight. Behind the celebrations and breaking news alerts lies a series of surprising decisions. Why would the Twins, holding a .267-hitting slugger and former World Series hero, let him walk away? What made Correa leap at Houston’s offer without a second thought? Well, the answers, as Correa himself has hinted, reveal a story of timing, strategy, and an emotional pull that was simply impossible to ignore.

“I’ve been asking the Twins to play third base for the last two years,” Correa said, via Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. “But it was not aligning because of how we were constructed. When (Twins general manager Derek Falvey) told me the Astros wanted me for third base, I was like, that would be perfect.”

So, in bringing Correa back to play third base, the Astros struck a deal with the Twins. They sent minor league lefty Matt Mikulski and some cash to Minnesota. And GM Dana Brown understood the cost to bring him, but the Astros “felt good about what this whole thing was going to play out to be.” Reportedly, the former franchise shortstop, who helped lead the Astros to multiple playoff runs and a World Series title, will return in a new role: third base.

This reunion came together because it worked perfectly for both sides. Correa has been open about wanting to make the move to third base. However, the Twins couldn’t offer him that spot, especially with top prospect Brooks Lee emerging as their shortstop of the future. Furthermore, Minnesota, facing financial pressure and looking to reshape its roster, saw an opportunity to free up both salary and space for its young talent.

On the other hand, for Correa, returning to the Astros is more than just a new position. It’s a homecoming to the team where he became a star and a champion. Not only did he get to play third base as he wished, but he also returned to his previous team and a familiar environment.

Astros also made the day for the Twins

Well, it is nothing new for the fans to see slash payroll. Whether by dumping contracts at the trade deadline or letting players walk in the offseason, it’s become common.  For Twins fans, watching a club sitting on the verge of a wild-card spot get torn apart was enough to spark concerns! “The Minnesota Twins, who are about $440 million in debt, erased a huge chunk of it by trading away virtually their roster in a matter of 12 hours. No wonder Carlos Correa wanted out,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale wrote in an X post.

The answer, as it often does, comes back to ownership. The Twins have been in the Pohlad family since 1984. With the franchise now up for sale, the focus wasn’t on making a playoff push. It was on clearing the books before the July 31 deadline. By the end of the deadline, Minnesota had shed a significant chunk of salary, and the roster looked nothing like it had just a day and a half earlier.

The result? Jhoan Duran and Harrison Bader went to the Phillies in separate deals. Correa made a surprise return to the Astros. Willi Castro landed with the Cubs at the buzzer, and Griffin Jax was shipped to the Rays. In just 36 hours, the Twins went from fringe contenders to a team stripped for parts.

Meanwhile, the Astros swooped in and turned the Twins’ midseason chaos into their own advantage. While Correa wanted to transition to third base, Houston just happened to have a hole there. They capitalized on Minnesota’s turbulence to bolster their lineup for another playoff run, all while reuniting with a player who helped define their golden era.

Nevertheless, it will be a scene to witness Correa donning the Astros Jersey and walking onto the field at Minute Maid Park.