McCullers on Carlos Correa departure: 'Thank you for everything, No. 1'

Shortstop Carlos Correa decided to leave the Houston Astros on March 19 in favor of the Minnesota Twins, essentially ending his storied, decade-long association with the team that selected him first overall in the 2012 MLB Draft.

Mark Berman, sports director for Houston FOX affiliate KRIV, was the first to break the news about Correa's decision.

Berman said the 27-year-old Correa is expected to ink a deal with the Twins that'll make him the highest paid infielder ever.

Sports Illustrated (SI) reported that Minnesota usurped Correa from the Astros with a three-year, $105.3 million deal that has a pair of opt-out opportunities.

Astros pitcher Lance McCullers kept it simple with his farewell to his now-former teammate on social media.

"My brother forever," McCullers, who is recovering from injury, tweeted. "Thank you for everything, No. 1."

Correa wore No. 1 when he anchored the Astros defense from 2015 to 2021.

Correa became the most sought-after name at his position when he and the Astros initially failed to strike a deal that he felt was suitable, which raised speculation that the 2021 season would be his last in the country's fourth-largest city.

Correa was one of the key pieces in the Astros' controversial 2017 World Series championship run.

He also contributed immensely to the franchise's subsequent American League pennants in 2019 and last year.

According to SI, the two-time MLB All-Star and 2015 AL Rookie of the Year crafted a .279 batting average with 26 home runs and 92 RBI in 2021.

ESPN reported that two days after the announcement of his exit from Houston, Correa traveled to Florida where he got acquainted with his new teammates.

According to the network, Correa's deal remains dependent on a physical and won't become official until Wednesday (March 23).

Twins reliever Tyler Duffey, a draft classmate of Correa's, described his new shortstop as "a guy you want on your team," ESPN reported.

"He lives for the big moment and thrives in it," Duffey told the network. "Been fun watching what he's done for Houston with being a big piece for the Astros."

Correa's departure purportedly opens the door for prospect Jeremy Peña to become the Astros' new starting shortstop. 

“He’s the front-runner for the job,” manager Dusty Baker told MLB.com.

According to the website, Peña learned a lot from being an understudy to Correa.

Peña; however, is determined to be his own player.

“Carlos Correa is a great ballplayer," he said, MLB.com reported. "He’s done great things in Houston, but I’m Jeremy Peña. I want to play my game. I don’t need to fill anyone else’s shoes.”