Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve says he was astonished that Carlos Correa would be going to the Minnesota Twins.
"I was surprised. I wasn't expecting that," Altuve told ESPN. "Obviously we're going to miss him. He's a great player and a great guy inside the clubhouse. He was one of our leaders."
Altuve learned that he'd have a new double-play partner during a late-night phone call with Correa himself.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - Carlos Correa #1 and Jose Altuve #27 at Minute Maid Park (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
The shortstop, the most coveted free agent on the market, signed a $105.3 million, three-year deal with the Twins.
Altuve, 31, and Correa, 27, were mainstays in Houston's defense and at the top of the batting order since 2015.
"Now that he's on another team, I'm happy for him," Altuve said. "He got a great deal. Happy for him. I know he's going to play good. He's going to make the Twins better."
Altuve said he and Correa plan to remain close through regular phone calls and video chats.
"We had dinner so many times," Altuve said. "We spent a lot of time together talking about different things. That's what I'm going to miss the most."