Jose Altuve 'surprised' Carlos Correa spurned Astros for Twins
Correa signed three-year deal with the Twins last week
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Carlos Correa’s decision to sign with the Minnesota Twins over the Houston Astros stunned his former teammate Jose Altuve.
Altuve, the star second baseman on the Astros, said Sunday he heard from Correa when he decided he was going to sign with a new team. Correa and the Twins agreed to a three-year, $105.3 million deal.
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Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa forces the Boston Red Sox's Alex Verdugo out at second after Christian Arroyo hit into a double play during the second inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Championship Series on Oct. 15, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
"I was surprised. I wasn’t expecting that. 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 said.
He added: "Now that he’s on another team, I’m happy for him. He got a great deal. Happy for him. I know he’s going to play good. He’s going to make the Twins better."
CARLOS CORREA AND TWINS AGREE TO $105.3M, 3-YEAR DEAL
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Jose Altuve (27) and Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros celebrate a double play against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game Four of the World Series at Truist Park on Oct. 30, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Correa was sought by some of the top teams in MLB but decided on the short-term deal with the Twins last week. He was a main part of the Astros’ World Series championship in 2017 and the team’s American League championships in 2019 and 2021.
The slugging shortstop hit 26 home runs and batted .279 with a .850 OPS in 148 games last season. Houston won the AL West with a 95-67 record but lost to the Atlanta Braves in the World Series.
Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros celebrate after the Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of the ALCS at Fenway Park on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Altuve will be a main player on the Astros’ team this season. He hit .278 with 31 home runs in 2021.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.