The Houston Astros made a head-scratching move just a day before the trade deadline, as they acquired reliever Roberto Osuna from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. The only thing that makes this move questionable for the defending World Series champions is that Osuna has been serving a 75-game suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy. He will be eligible to return from that suspension as soon as Sunday, although, the charges have not yet been cleared.
The Astros sent a package that includes closer Ken Giles to Toronto in this deal. Also in that package are minor league pitchers Hector Perez and David Paulino. Paulino was the Astros' No. 3 prospect prior to his PED suspension last season. He has since dropped to No. 23, while Perez sat as their No. 10 prospect.
The 23-year-old Osuna has made recent appearances in the minor leagues, six of them to be exact. All six of them have resulted in a scoreless inning, with the last three coming at the Triple-A level. All of these appearances have come since July 14th. He has not pitched at the major league level since May 6th, as he was put on administrative leave just two days later after getting charged with one count of assault in Toronto. That case is still up in the air, and he will appear in court next on Wednesday.
Before these issues, Osuna had no record, but recorded nine saves along with 15 strikeouts in 15.1 innings pitched. He made the American League All-Star team last season and finished with 39 saves and a 3.38 ERA. He would be eligible for the postseason if the Astros want to include him on their roster come October. Due to his suspension, his eligibility for free agency was delayed until 2021.
The Astros sent a package that includes closer Ken Giles to Toronto in this deal. Also in that package are minor league pitchers Hector Perez and David Paulino. Paulino was the Astros' No. 3 prospect prior to his PED suspension last season. He has since dropped to No. 23, while Perez sat as their No. 10 prospect.
The 23-year-old Osuna has made recent appearances in the minor leagues, six of them to be exact. All six of them have resulted in a scoreless inning, with the last three coming at the Triple-A level. All of these appearances have come since July 14th. He has not pitched at the major league level since May 6th, as he was put on administrative leave just two days later after getting charged with one count of assault in Toronto. That case is still up in the air, and he will appear in court next on Wednesday.
Before these issues, Osuna had no record, but recorded nine saves along with 15 strikeouts in 15.1 innings pitched. He made the American League All-Star team last season and finished with 39 saves and a 3.38 ERA. He would be eligible for the postseason if the Astros want to include him on their roster come October. Due to his suspension, his eligibility for free agency was delayed until 2021.
