WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Jose Altuve, the longest-tenured member of the Astros, who has witnessed several high-profile players come and go during his 11 seasons with the club, spoke Sunday about losing yet another one -- shortstop Carlos Correa, who has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with the Twins.

Altuve, the Astros’ star second baseman, and Correa played up the middle in Houston’s infield for seven seasons and enjoyed incredible success, including five consecutive trips to the American League Championship Series, three AL pennants and a World Series title in 2017. Off the field, they were practically brothers and were as close as friends can be without being related.

So when Correa called Altuve late Friday night and told him he was signing with the Twins, it marked the end of an era -- but not a friendship.

“I think different feelings, you know?” Altuve said. “Obviously, we’re going to miss him. He’s a great player and a great guy in the clubhouse. He was one of our leaders, so we’re going to miss him, but at the same time I’m happy for Jeremy [Peña] that he might get the opportunity to come and play in the big leagues and establish himself as an everyday player.”

Peña, one of the club’s top prospects, now appears to be the clear-cut starter at shortstop following Correa’s departure. Correa, Altuve, first baseman Yuli Gurriel and third baseman Alex Bregman formed the Astros’ star-studded infield that had played together for five seasons. They played in 73 playoff games together, ending in Houston’s Game 6 World Series loss to the Braves -- the most playoff games for any quartet in playoffs history.

Altuve said he was still hopeful the Astros would be able to re-sign Correa until a few days ago. 

“You think about a lot of different things -- if we sign him, if we don’t, what’s going to happen,” he said. “But now that he’s on another team, I’m happy for him. He got a great deal. I know he’s going to play good. He’s going to make the Twins better but at the same time, I think Jeremy is going to come to the big leagues and make our team better. He has a lot of talent, lots of great tools to show off.” 

The departure of Correa leaves the Astros with only five remaining members from their 2017 World Series championship club -- pitchers Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr., Altuve, Bregman and Gurriel. All five have signed contract extensions at some point to remain in Houston, with Altuve and Bregman signed through 2024 and McCullers through ‘26. 

Meanwhile, the Astros were unable to re-sign other high-profile names in recent years, including pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton after the 2018 season, pitcher Gerrit Cole after ‘19, outfielder George Springer after ‘20 and now Correa.

“I played all my career with Keuchel, and he left,” Altuve said. “I played a few years with Gerrit Cole, and we got along pretty good and he left. A lot of people are leaving, but that means they’re good players, and they’re getting what they deserve.”

Altuve said he believes the Astros made a good effort to bring back Correa.

“I think so, yes,” he said. “I wasn’t involved a lot in the process, but I think they committed to [bringing] Carlos back. Things happen, and like I said, I’m happy for him and happy for everybody right now.”

Despite losing Correa, Altuve believes the Astros are poised to contend again this year. He sees a deep lineup anchored by himself, Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Yordan Alvarez and Michael Brantley and expects the Astros to maintain their position as an AL power.

“We have another big chance this year to make it really far,” he said. “We have good players. Tucker is coming off a monster season, we’ve got Verlander back and obviously, he’s a great pitcher and a Hall of Famer. We have Alvarez and Yuli, who won a batting title. We have so many good players here pitching-wise, defense-wise, hitting-wise. I think we’re going to make another run this year.”

The friendship between Altuve and Correa will endure through changes in uniforms and allegiances. Thanks to modern technology, Altuve plans to stay close to Correa.

“That’s the good thing about FaceTime, you can talk every day,” Altuve said. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to do it.”