Astros' Correa wants contract extension before season begins

If the Houston Astros want to keep shortstop Carlos Correa past this season, it looks like they need to make a decision soon.

"If the Astros want to extend me, I would like to get it done before the season starts," Correa told reporters on Monday, including Fox 26’s Mark Berman. "Once the season starts I don't want to be involved and distracted with those conversations."

Correa is eligible for free agency at the end of the season. The 26-year-old admitted he has not discussed his contract with the Astros since the two sides avoided arbitration by signing an $11.7-million deal earlier this month, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

"I'm not scared of free agency," he explained. "I feel like I belong here. They have to feel the same way."

Correa is coming off a down year where he hit .264/.326/.383 during the regular season before turning it on in the playoffs. He ultimately swatted .362/.455/.766 with six home runs and 17 RBIs last postseason, helping the Astros advance to the American League Championship Series.

If the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year enters free agency, he could join an impressive crop of other shortstops who might do the same, including Javier Baez, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and Trevor Story.