Houston Astros third baseman Carlos Correa told reporters that Grammy Award-winning artist and Super Bowl halftime performer Bad Bunny offered to cover his insurance so he could play for the Puerto Rican national team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
In January, Correa told reporters that he would miss the World Baseball Classic after being denied coverage through National Financial Partners. Correa told reporters on Friday how much it meant to have Bad Bunny want to help.
“He tried to do everything possible," Correa said. "I wanted to play and make sure that I was going to go out there and play for Team Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico ...The fact that he did that means a lot in how much he cares for the country, how much he cares for the fans back home. I’m deeply grateful that he tried that hard.”
But after consulting with the league, the Astros and his agent, Scott Boras, Correa declined the offer, saying the insurance provider had a history of not paying players back.
"I couldn’t sign my life away to something that three people I trust are advising me against," he said.
The 31-year-old also didn’t want to risk his regular-season salary if he missed any games due to injuries sustained in the WBC. Correa is set to make $31 million next season and has battled injuries in the past.
The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants voided $300 million agreements with Correa in 2022 due to concerns over his ankle. Edwin Díaz and José Altuve also suffered significant injuries during the World Baseball Classic in the past, making it more difficult to secure insurance.
All World Baseball Classic participants on an MLB 40-man roster must undergo an insurance evaluation process, which involves an insurer agreed upon by MLB and the players' union. A player's injury history is reviewed to determine if coverage will be provided. If the insurer decides a player is uninsurable, then, unless the team makes an exception, the player's contract is not guaranteed should an injury occur during the event.
Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rico native, also agreed to cover New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor’s insurance after he was denied coverage and said he would not participate.