The risk here is of course entirely on (a) whether Osuna does anything in this realm again (assuming he is guilty this time) (b) fan or player backlash because of his background. With that risk in mind, I still think this was worth the risk--assuming the team did its homework on the person's character and the open court case, and they made a call. Knowing that, if there is fallout in the future and the Astros have to cut Osuna, I'm not going to declare it a failure. To me, this is worth the risk, regardless of the eventual outcome. Good deal.
Verlander is obviously peeved. I'm sure McCullers and Keuchel are too. Those guys are opinionated and might not handle this well. All it takes is one wrong quote and the clubhouse derails. Especially given that it's a reliever (not a star SS, SP, or CF), it would be easy to label the trade as an unnecessary distraction. It sounds like Luhnow consulted Altuve but no one else. I would have thought he'd loop Verlander and Correa in on it too. The fact that his former Blue Jays manager vouches for him is meaningful to me. Also knowing how wide the range of what actually happened makes me hesitant to judge; hopefully the other 24 guys see it the same way (eventually). Huge difference between being in an argument and blocking your girlfriend's punch and straight up beating her face in.
I thought about this also. At first I wondered as well. But then I saw the precedent it would set. Potentially, on some future trade, they wouldn't be consulted. They would wonder why, especially if it was a controversial move. Then what? Or is it they would be in on all future trades? Or maybe just certain ones? Why those and not others? Not hard to see how that could spiral out of control. Altuve would be the logical choice if only one player was to know. Also an easier precedent to support in the future.
Oh man, if only Luhnow would have searched Twitter before he made this deal, he would have known... If anyone thinks that Luhnow doesn’t know every single detail about that court case, you haven’t been paying attention to our GM over the past few years.
If lawyer says there is a video and asking teammates for references, and Astros say they did they’re homework, I think the video is good news. Probably a shove he wishes he didn’t do, but not a punch. For all 8nvolved, especially the girlfriend, I hope that’s the case.
I was shocked the Astros made the trade. Baseball wise I love the move. Our hitters had to stare down Aroldis Chapman in the post season last year and might have to do it again this year. He fired off a gun 8 times in his garage during a domestic dispute and choked the woman. If a regular dude did that.... he is likely going to jail. The real world isn't a lot different than high school. The athletes have their own set of rules.
For those worried about Verlander/McCuller's feelings. I'm sure they will feel alot better looking out there seeing Osuna closing out games they left instead of watching Giles blowing leads costing them wins. This doesn't even factor into watching playoff Giles meltdown on the big stage. (Playoffs/WS.) Good riddance 100 miles on a straight plane and 1 out of every 4 cement mixer sliders Giles.
Character issues aside, it's an OK trade considering the options the Astros missed out on. Signed Joe Smith over Brandon Morrow in the offseason despite having a real close, long hard look at Morrow in the offseason. Missed out on Kelvin Herrera, via napping, who still has better overall numbers this year than Osuna's All Star season. Felt they couldn't afford Zach Britton's upcoming contract, a much better reliever, so didn't put forth an aggressive offer on him. Osuna will have his Giles moments where he has dominant innings, but he led the league in Blown Saves during his All Star year by a wide margin, was 2nd the year before that, and he lets down the team a lot in high pressure situations. You hope he can turn it around on the field, but it's not hope that makes other relievers elite. It was a necessary trade, not a can't miss trade. I haven't factored in character issues which I don't see being an issue. Still need a consistent bat before the playoffs begin.
Only thing Luhnow admitted to was talking to Osuna himself. I doubt he has seen the tape as it is considered evidence.
This post will get buried, but I wanted to share some insight on domestic violence. I'm an Assistant District Attorney in Houston and have handled countless DV cases. Everyone has their own opinion on domestic violence and are entitled to it. I just want to shed some light on how these cases work, mostly because its frustrating seeing so many popular media heads blindly judge when, in reality, they have no idea how the criminal justice system works or the facts of the cases. First, there is a major difference between "probable cause" and "beyond a reasonable doubt". Think, like, Twins vs. Astros. "Probable cause" is the standard for a criminal case to be filed or "charged". The latter is the standard necessary to secure a guilty verdict, or a "conviction". Probable cause exists when there is a reason to believe that a crime has or soon will occur. Example: if an Officer responds to a 911 call, finds no visible injuries on victim, but believes that the suspect assaulted the victim, then bam: Probable Cause can be found. Contrast that with Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, which exists when, you guessed it, there is no reasonable doubt that the Defendant committed said crime. Remember, just because someone is charged with a crime does not mean they are guilty. Second, and unfortunately, cases can be filed for dubious reasons. Although most reportees of domestic violence are abused and are actually victims, other reportees have ulterior motives. Some use the system for revenge, children, whatever, you name it. Dating relationships can go south, quickly, and people do crazy things. I see it all the time. My job is to weed out the latter and provide justice for the former. Last, the reality is that most people don't care if an athlete or celebrity is guilty. That's fine. That's your opinion. If you don't want to support someone, that's on you. If you don't want to support an organization, again, that's your decision. In my opinion, everyone deserves a second chance. Especially those charged and (worst-case for the Astros) convicted of misdemeanors. As a final caveat (because I've seen this take a lot): if you're a parent who's worried about your kids idolizing Osuna, the answer is to sit down and talk to them about domestic violence. DV is often self-taught from observations without realizing there's anything wrong with it. With all of that said, I love the addition of Osuna. Remember, he's just 23! He's still a kid and he's still learning. If he acts up, or is at all a clubhouse problem, then show him the door. I'm sure the FO did their homework on the kid. Go Stros, and follow the law!
No...Passan is a douche because Passan is a douchebag. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, if the trade were made by the Cubs, Passan would be talking up the same positives many here have. He’s had an anti-Astros bias for years...going back to much of our time in the NL Central when he was the cubs beat reporter. He’s a douche and anything he says about the Astros should be ignored.
What reactions that Verlander, McCullers and Keuchel had last year when our NON star 3rd baseman flapping his fingers around the edge of his eyes ? Will they post the same comments early in the year if the one in the news was not some no names way down in the Astros pipeline but instead say Charlie Morton? Believing Luhnow will consult any current Astros before making this deal is just laughable. But to think acquiring a new closer with such baggage will harm your locker room more that what he could possibly bring to the club, that’s even more ridiculous. I tell you what could hurt more, pitching a 3 hits shutout and then got replaced while leading 4-0 and watching Giles and Randon melting down like butter and your name is Verlander.
Also, I apologize if this has been answered, as I tried to find it, but may have missed it through the pages. Is there a certain reason why Chapman got 30, and Osuna got 75?
I will tell you how can Osuna hurt this team’s chemistry and locker room, blow a save in his first game on the mound.
As much as I wanted Giles gone...trading for Osuna might be the first really serious mistake that Luhnow has made as Astros GM. Especially in this day and age, with all the scrutiny surrounding pro sports players and domestic violence and harassment. I'm sure that Luhnow did his homework...however even if Osuna is ultimately innocent, perception matters, and this is not a good look for the Astros organization. That said, if Osuna behaves and performs well on the mound...this cloud of darkness may blow over quickly. Verlander, etc will get over it.
