Despite trading for Osuna, the Astros said that they have a "zero tolerance" domestic violence policyGETTY IMAGES
The Astros claim they did "unprecedented" due diligence before trading for Blue Jays P Roberto Osuna, as he is still finishing a 75-game suspension for violating MLB's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Child Abuse policy, according to Chandler Rome of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Astros GM Jeff Luhnow: "If anything happens going forward, we absolutely will adhere to our zero tolerance policy." Three hours before yesterday's game against the Mariners, Astros manager A.J. Hinch "held a closed-door meeting" with players, which he "thought was 'well-received.'" One of Luhnow’s "'preconditions' before completing the deal was to speak with Osuna." Luhnow said it was "enlightening" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/31). Luhnow said that the Astros "support" MLB's policies regarding domestic violence and referenced the case of OF Danry Vasquez, who was "released by the club in 2016 after the team obtained video of him assaulting a woman" while playing for the Double-A Texas League Corpus Christi Hooks. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart noted when the video was released in March, Astros Ps Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr. "took to Twitter to express disgust with Vasquez." But Verlander said of acquiring Osuna, "It's a tough situation. I think the thing for us to remember here is that the details haven't come to light. We don't know the whole story. ... He plans to talk with us when he gets here, and we'll go from there." Luhnow also said that he "took the temperature of several members of his clubhouse." Astros SS Carlos Correa said that 2B Jose Altuve was "one of those consulted" (MLB.com, 7/30).
POSSIBLE PRECARIOUS SITUATION: In Houston, Jenny Dial Creech writes based on Osuna's acquisition, a zero-tolerance policy "means something a little different in the Astros organization." One Astros player texted, “I was surprised to see this move made, and I think it’s going to be really uncomfortable. I trust the organization, but this move doesn’t make sense to me.” Another player texted, “We’ve talked about it among ourselves and want to be positive, but if more comes out and he’s done these terrible things, I don’t know how that will go" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/31). ESPN's Mike Golic Jr. said the move is "putting guys on the team like Justin Verlander, who had a strong feeling about this, in an awkward spot." Golic: "It's put fans of this team who are understandably and adamantly against domestic violence in a strange spot." ESPN's Jason Fitz said, "The Astros have taken all the risks. ... If video or details come out that are as horrific as they could be, this all lies squarely at the feet of the Astros. It's a part of this that makes it impossible for the move to make sense for an organization that has dug in zero tolerance." ESPN's Buster Olney: "They have ceded the high ground and they will have to completely own whatever comes out in this case with Osuna moving forward. They are probably going to have a lot of explaining to do if that happens" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 7/31).
WINNING TRUMPS EVERYTHING: THE RINGER's Michael Baumann wrote acquiring Osuna is a choice the Astros "didn't have to make." Wanting to win "so badly that you’re willing to view a player’s domestic violence suspension as a trade opportunity is a choice" (THERINGER.com, 7/30). ESPN's Laura Rutledge said, "You cannot make an exception for this guy just because he is talented. He is a great pitcher, but what he did should not be ignored, and I don’t think he’s going to be received very well in this Astros' clubhouse” ("Get Up," ESPN, 7/31). YAHOO SPORTS' Jeff Passan writes under the header, "In Trading For Roberto Osuna, The Houston Astros Show They Have No Conscience" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/31).
GOOD RIDDANCE: MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal noted Rogers Corp., which owns the Blue Jays, is a publicly traded company and suggested that it "did not want the stain of Osuna's suspension on their brand and they wanted him out." MLB Network's Dan O'Dowd said, "The Blue Jays could not bring him back in this situation. They had to move him. Bringing him back, under these conditions -- it would have taken too much energy to deal with the situation, so they had to move him" ("MLB Tonight," MLB Network, 7/30).
TWITTER REAX: The Houston Chronicle's Dial Creech: "I grew up a fan of the Astros. I like covering the team and genuinely like and respect so many of the players and staff there. I also wholeheartedly disagree with the organization when it comes to the Osuna trade." Houston-based KILY-AM's John Lopez: "Most casual Astros fans probably can't look at this club quite the same way they did yesterday." Sports writer Molly Knight: "Tough day to be an Astros fan. Maybe donate $ to a local women’s shelter for every Osuna strikeout. I don’t know what to say. It sucks." The Athletic's Daniel Brim: "It is gross that the Astros leveraged the allegations against Osuna to acquire him with reduced trade value." Sporting News' Jenn Smith: "If your reaction to the #BlueJays trading Roberto Osuna is 'I'm done with this team', you may want to take a long, hard look in the mirror."
