MINNEAPOLIS — Consider the alternate reality in which the Giants signed Carlos Correa. His ankle was a nonissue. The prematurely scheduled press conference actually took place on that Tuesday before Christmas. For the next 10 years, he would wear “San Francisco” across his chest, at an average annual rate of $35 million.
Would Correa have already heard boos from fans at Oracle Park? Would the youth movement, namely Casey Schmitt, that has invigorated the Giants over the past two weeks have arrived yet? Would J.D. Davis and Thairo Estrada have emerged as All-Star caliber players, if a 36-year-old Brandon Crawford was instead taking up one of the spots at second or third base?
The Giants just might be asking themselves these questions — and breathing a sigh of relief — as they begin a three-game series Monday in Minnesota.
