Tigers' Hinch explains brunch with Correa: 'I was delivering a baby gift'

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch wants you to know that his brunch with Carlos Correa had nothing to do with free agency.

The skipper was spotted dining last week with Correa, who was Hinch's shortstop while he managed the Astros and is now one of the most sought-after stars on the market. The sight led many fans to speculate about the pair possibly reuniting with the Tigers.

However, Hinch was quick to refute the notion that it was a recruiting trip.

"I had a ham and cheese omelet, I didn't order lunch, and I didn't realize it was as big of a deal as it was," Hinch explained Monday, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. "I was delivering a baby gift."

Indeed, Correa and his wife Daniella are about to become first-time parents.

Fatherhood won't be the only change in Correa's life this offseason. The two-time All-Star is reportedly seeking one of the largest contracts in baseball history and appears likely to leave the Astros after turning down their latest offer.

It isn't clear if Detroit is willing to meet Correa's price tag, but Hinch did concede that the shortstop has at least one quality that matches what the Tigers are looking for.

"We want winners here," Hinch said, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. "We want to win."