MLB
After nearly 3 months of uncertainty, Jays fans who wanted to see Roberto Osuna traded can breathe a little easier. He has been traded to the Houston Astros. The trade comes 6 days before Osuna was due to be activated after serving a 75 game suspension for violating the league’s domestic violence policy. His next court date in his ongoing legal case is August 1 in Toronto.
Osuna’s Pitching
Before being suspended on May 8 after being arrested for abuse (Canada has no specific domestic violence charge), Osuna was a fan favourite. Since he broke onto the scene in 2015 he has been tearing up the league. Earlier this season Osuna recorded his 100th career save, becoming the youngest player in MLB history to reach that mark. His ERA before his suspension was 2.93. He had 9 saves in 10 opportunities.
The Trade
In exchange for their disgraced closer, the Blue Jays received a closer and two minor league pitchers. While some might hesitate to call Ken Giles a closer these days, the fact remains that that is likely the role he will fill in the Jays’ bullpen. It is a position that the Jays have struggled to fill over the last nearly 3 months. Giles has a 4.99 ERA on the season and has been in the Astros’ minor league system since July 11. He is expected to join Toronto’s 25-man roster.
The Jays also picked up prospects David Paulino and Hector Perez. On the season, Perez has a 3.73 ERA with 21 appearances across Class A Advanced and Double-A. He has had 13 starts. Perez was Houston’s number 10 prospect. Paulino was demoted from the Astros’ number 3 prospect to number 24 last year after serving an 80-game suspension for PED use.
The Facts
You did read the numbers right, folks. Paulino received 80 games for PED use, and Osuna only received 75 for violating the domestic violence policy. Not only that, but when the Astros return to the post-season in October, Osuna will be eligible to pitch for them. That’s right. He could potentially win a World Series ring after being suspended, a la Aroldis Chapman 2016. The Jays did me proud this week when I, along with other fans, learned that they had been aggressively shopping out their young former star. Good luck in Toronto, Ken Giles, David Paulino and Hector Perez. To the other person involved in this trade I say, good riddance to bad rubbish.
If you are a Houston fan and are looking for a way to combat the negativity that has joined your team and clubhouse, you can find a list of Houston domestic violence shelters here who would be more than happy to accept your donation.
If you are a Toronto fan and are feeling a little guilty about your sigh of relief when you realized he was about to become someone else’s problem, you can put that energy to good use by donating to a shelter in Houston (see link above) or Ontario here by entering your location.
Written by Susannah Schmidt
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