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Blue Jays decide keeping suspended Roberto Osuna not worth the risk

By David Salituro

MINNEAPOLIS, MN- APRIL 30: Roberto Osuna #54 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Minnesota Twins on April 30, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Blue Jays defeated the Twins 7-5. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roberto Osuna
MINNEAPOLIS, MN- APRIL 30: Roberto Osuna #54 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Minnesota Twins on April 30, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Blue Jays defeated the Twins 7-5. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roberto Osuna /
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The Toronto Blue Jays traded their All-Star closer Roberto Osuna, who is currently serving a 75-game suspension for domestic assault, to the Houston Astros on Monday.

The Toronto Blue Jays are parting way with their controversial closer Roberto Osuna.

The Blue Jays have reached a deal to send the 23-year-old to the Houston Astros, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Ken Giles, who has struggled to hold down the closer spot in Houston this season, is part of the package going to Toronto. Minor league pitchers David Paulino and Hector Perez are also headed to the Blue Jays.

Osuna first appeared for the Blue Jays as a 20-year-old in 2015. In his four-year career he has 104 saves and a 2.87 ERA. He made the All-Star team last season.

But any connection Osuna established with Blue Jays fans was wiped away on May 8. On that day Osuna was arrested and charged with domestic assault on his girlfriend. After a league investigation, he was suspended for 75 games on June 22. The suspension is due to end on Aug. 4. His legal problems are not over, however. Osuna is due back in court on Aug. 1.

The club released a statement when Osuna was suspended, saying they “support the decision by the Commissioner’s Office.” He last played in a Major League game on May 6. He returned to the mound for the Blue Jays’ minor league affiliate in Dunedin, Florida on July 14, and has made three appearances for Triple-A Buffalo as he works to return to the big leagues. He will be eligible for the Astros postseason roster.

Giles, who began the season as the Astros’ closer, lost his job after posting a 4.99 ERA in 34 games this season. He was demoted to Triple-A Fresno on July 11, where he has a 8.44 ERA. He does have a solid track record, however, saving 34 games with a 2.30 ERA last year.

The move is a chance for Osuna to start over with another club. Any future appearances with the Blue Jays would surely be overshadowed by his suspension. With the Astros, however, the distraction would likely not be as significant.

Houston has tried Chris Devenski and Hector Rondon in the closer spot since demoting Giles. Adding Osuna solidifies the back of their bullpen and gives them a proven closer as they try to compete with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees and repeat as World Series champions.

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Osuna’s case is similar to that of Aroldis Chapman. Chapman was suspended for domestic violence in 2016 and traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs. After winning the World Series with the Cubs, Chapman returned to the Yankees the next season when the focus had shifted away from his controversial past.

Osuna still has three years of team control left on his contract. He is not eligible for free agency until after the 2021 season. The Blue Jays, however, decided they couldn’t have him appear in their uniform anymore.

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