Gerrit Cole said thank you to the Houston Astros and their fans via social media on Thursday.

Cole will hit free agency soon and could receive the richest contract this offseason.

"Last night was a tough one for us and the heartbreak hasn't gotten any easier today," Cole tweeted Thursday. "Before I became an Astro I didn't know much about Houston, but after just two years you have made it feel like home. So here's what I know now. You have been overwhelmingly friendly, welcoming, and kind to my family and me. The Astros organization has been such a pleasure to play for, the Cranes are indeed special people and great owners. I've met lifelong friends on the team and in the community and learned a little about pitching along the way.

"... This is a relationship between a team and it's fans like no other that I know. Thank you for making us better people and better players. This was a great season. We have a lot to be proud of."

Cole is represented by Scott Boras.

Asked by an Astros official to meet with reporters after their 6-2 loss to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, Cole, who was wearing a Boras Corp. hat, said, "I'm not employed by the team." However, after agreeing to interviews, he started out with, "I guess as a representative of myself ..."