Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa was having a terrific summer.

With the plantar fasciitis in his left foot behind him, Correa hit .308/.377/.520 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI in the first half to earn his third career All-Star appearance before plantar fasciitis in his right foot took him out for most of the second half.

While there were many reasons why the Twins free fell to miss the playoffs last year, Correa’s absence was one of the biggest.

That’s why it was good news when Correa told reporters he would be ready for Spring Training at this weekend’s TwinsFest. But it also came with a catch as Correa is taking preventative steps to make sure it doesn’t flare up again.

“I wear shoes with better support on the arch, so I don’t have as much pressure on my heels, and I’m more careful with the surfaces that I sprint on,” Correa said via The Athletic’s Dan Hayes. “I’m not sprinting on concrete anymore. I’m running more and more in the grass and more and more on the dirt like I would on a baseball field. I would say this time it’s been more natural. It’s been more treatment and just a lot of exercise – a lot of exercise. I can say I’m in a great spot. I’m in a spot where I don’t feel anything.”

Again, the fact Correa is pain-free entering Spring Training is good news and a big reason why he looked like the franchise cornerstone the Twins thought they were getting when they signed him to a six-year, $200 million in 2023.

But that contract wouldn’t have happened if Correa hadn’t failed two physicals with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, causing a pair of even bigger contracts to fall through.

It is also noteworthy that things had a positive feeling entering last year’s Spring Training, only for his feet to act up again. But if Correa stays healthy, he believes they could have a formidable team.

Carlos Correa optimistic about Twins’ chances entering Spring Training

During his time with reporters, Correa touched on several other topics, including the trade rumors that surfaced during the Winter Meetings in December and the pending sale of the Twins, which could have a buyer identified as soon as Opening Day.

Correa didn’t have a massive reaction to either topic, stating he spent time with his children to distract him from the rumors and his full no-trade clause that would have nixed a potential deal.

“I’ve got a full no-trade clause,” Correa stated. “Let me tell you something: I love Minnesota, and I love the fishing here.”

Of course, the reason the trade rumors surfaced is because the Pohlad family has maintained payroll restrictions for the second straight winter as they look to sell the team.

The restrictions have also prevented the Twins from signing a major league free agent this winter, but Correa still believes the Twins can contend with the core they have.

“We’re in a spot now where we cannot invest, and it is what it is,” Correa said. “Youv’e got to live with that, and you’ve got to go out and play with the players that you have. I feel like the talent is in this clubhouse. We’ve just got to put it all together and the veterans, we’ve got to stay on the field, and the young guys go to the next level. …So I don’t worry too much about [the sale.]”

In a week where things seem to be picking up, Correa seems to have blocked out the noise and is focused on staying on the field and helping the Twins return to contention this summer.