Less than halfway through his six-year, $200 million contract — amid an epic sell-off at the trade deadline on Thursday — the Twins dealt Correa, one of the leaders in their clubhouse, back to the Houston Astros, where he began his career, the biggest move on a dark day for the organization.

Correa will waive his no-trade clause and the Twins are sending the Astros $30 million of the $96 million guaranteed to Correa over the next three seasons. The Twins will get a prospect in return, left-handed pitcher Matt Mikulski.

Carlos Correa is returning to Houston. The Astros reacquired the three-time All-Star shortstop from the Minnesota Twins just before Thursday’s trade deadline.