Carlos Correa says Twins are focused on 'winning the championship'

"Now the goal is to just go all the way and that's what we're working for."

Now that the team's first playoff win in nearly two decades is out of the way, Twins shortstop Carlos Correa says the focus is on "winning the championship."

While Correa may be entering Year 3 with the Twins, he will be entering this year coming off the calmest offseason he's had in years. The two-time All-Star signed with the Twins in 2022 after spring training was already underway. In 2023, after opting out of the deal he signed the year prior, Correa twice failed medicals after agreeing to deals with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets before eventually returning to Minnesota in January.

"This season I was just relaxing at home with my kids," Correa told WCCO radio Thursday. "Getting ready for the season, having a full offseason to work out and prepare my body for what's to come. It felt great not having to go through the free agency process once again. It was a lot better for me and my family."

Minnesota kicked a 19-year playoff winless drought in 2023, beating the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card round but were then dumped out of the playoffs by the Houston Astros in the ALDS.

"Now we're thinking of winning the championship," said Correa when discussing the team's focus after tasting postseason success last year. "That's our only goal. So where before it felt good to win playoff games and be able to win a playoff series, it was great for the fanbase and for everybody here to start believing, but now the goal is to just go all the way and that's what we're working for."

Oct 11, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4) fields a ground ball in the third inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the ALDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Target Field / © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

While the team as a whole may have tasted success in 2023, Correa struggled at the plate. He registered the worst season of his professional career by slashing .230/.312/.399, all career lows, while hitting 18 homers and driving in 65 runs. Correa led all of baseball by grounding into 30 double plays. By all offensive measures it was a poor season for the highly-touted shortstop.

"Obviously you work on everything but at the same time hitting is one of the most important aspects of this game," Correa said. "You want to be able to start strong, start with confidence. We're working on the swing, working on our timing, try to get it right. When the season start just go off right away."

The former first overall pick isn't the only highly rated infielder the Twins will deploy this season. Third baseman Royce Lewis and second baseman Eddy Julien look to build off outstanding rookie seasons.

"It's talented. It's young. It's hungry. The sky is the limit for what we can accomplish as a team and I couldn't be more excited," Correa said.