Carlos Correa’s last two offseasons have been anything but typical.

After the 2021 season, Correa hit free agency for the first time, but because of the lockout, he did not end up signing a deal until March, after spring training had already begun.

A year later, he spent the winter in limbo once more, agreeing to deals with two separate teams who wound up passing on him after he underwent a physical. After the San Francisco Giants gave the thumbs down on his physical, the shortstop didn’t hit for a month. Instead, he sat at home, waiting, trying to prevent himself from potentially suffering an injury while training.

So, it’s safe to say that Correa, who is entering the second year of his long-term pact with the Twins, is embracing the normalcy that this offseason has brought him.

“When you feel prepared, the confidence comes within,” Correa said. “Last year coming into spring training, I didn’t feel like I was prepared. I felt like I hadn’t done my work like I always do in the offseason to get ready for 162 (games). This year, I do feel ready.”

Correa has been working out at home in Houston. After dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot for most of last season, Correa said he started “turning the curve” in regards to the injury about a month ago. Though it took perhaps longer than he expected, Correa said his foot is feeling good now and the shortstop has been sprinting, hitting and doing all of his normal offseason work.

He’s been hitting so much, he said, that hitting coach David Popkins didn’t believe that he was getting in the cage six times a week, prompting Correa to send him daily video evidence.

In addition to Popkins, Correa has another hitting coach he works with in Houston, and after an uncharacteristically poor season at the plate in 2023, the shortstop has expressed happiness with where his swing mechanics are now.

Correa, who never blamed his down season on the plate on his painful foot issue, batted .230 with a .312 on-base percentage and .399 slugging percentage. All of those numbers were well below his career norms. The shortstop posted a 94 OPS+, which is well below his career norm of 124 (100 is league average).

“I wasn’t as grounded as I wanted to be and I didn’t feel as connected as I wanted to feel,” he said. “I was never able to get into that groove where I felt that consistency. It was tough.”

And now?

His swing, he said, is simpler and more effective.

At the team’s annual fan convention, Correa declared himself pretty much ready for spring training — pitchers and catchers will report by Feb. 14, with position players coming a few days later — and, he hopes, primed for a big season.

“When I started this offseason, I found a spot where I feel comfortable, where I feel I can drive the ball and be consistent and be repeatable with my mechanics,” Correa said. “You guys will see. It’s really good.”

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