5 players the Houston Astros could trade this offseason

4. RP Roberto Osuna

It’s safe to say that in terms of production, the Astros came out on the positive side of the risk-reward equation after bringing Osuna aboard while he was serving a 75-game suspension for a domestic violence incident. Over the last season-plus, he has a 2.46 ERA, a 9.4 K.9, a 1.5 BB/9 and 50 saves over 89 regular season appearances (an AL-leading 38 saves and an AL-leading 56 games finished in 2019). He’s arbitration eligible this offseason, and projected by MLB Trade Rumors to get $10.2 million after making $6.5 million last year.

The way Houston has been able to cultivate pitching, and help guys like Cole, Justin Verlander and Ryan Pressly find a new level, paying their closer over $10 million feels like a misappropriation of resources. That’s not to say Osuna hasn’t earned that kind of raise in salary, since he most definitely has, but cost-wise he may just no longer be a great fit for the back end of the Astros’ bullpen. If they can get a similar pitcher (or see someone who they think they can make into a similar pitcher) for less money, and couple that with sending Osuna elsewhere, that seem like an opportunity they’d take.

With the premium placed on bullpen arms, Osuna could fetch a solid trade return for the Astros once his salary for next year is locked in. If a couple good prospects can be procured from a team that’s even a little desperate for a good closer, Osuna may be on the move.