What side on the discipline scale are the Houston Astros really on?
The Astros have just made the biggest head-scratching move of the trade deadline. No, they didn’t make some lopsided trade, and no they certainly did not trade for Bryce Harper. In my mind, they did something much worse- ruined their entire brand by acquiring Roberto Osuna, who is finishing up a 75 game suspension for domestic abuse.
For years, the Astros have become a respected franchise through their “zero-tolerance” policy. This means that if an Astros player breaks a team rule or commits a crime, they will receive uncompromising punishment.
Two years ago, Astros top prospect Danry Vasquez was suspended indefinitely by the MLB for striking his girlfriend immediately. And, almost immediately after the MLB suspended Vasquez, the Astros released him.
Interestingly enough, fiery closer Ken Giles was sent to Toronto in part of the package for Osuna. Giles has had a history of doing unthinkable acts under fits of rage, like when he punched himself after serving up a home run to Gary Sanchez in May of this season.
Giles’ tirade (photo, theathletic.com)
But, last month may have been the tipping point for Giles. After giving up two consecutive hits in a non-save opportunity in the ninth inning, AJ Hinch chose to pull Giles- who audibly said “f*** you man.” Whether he said it to Hinch or not, Giles was sent to Triple-A for the first time since his MLB call-up in 2014.
The stakes weren’t exactly as high with the Giles situation as they were with Vasquez, but the Astros made it very clear by demoting Giles that they no longer wanted to associate with Giles’s turbulent behavior.
These are just two examples of how the Astros have made a name for themselves as such a respectable franchise through their “no-tolerance” policy. This is why trading for Osuna is so puzzling.
Remember when Astros’ ace Justin Verlander tweeted out “I hope the rest of your life without baseball is horrible. You deserve all that is coming your way!” after the surveillance video of Danry Vasquez came out?
The Astros aren’t the Dallas Cowboys, meaning they don’t associate with controversy, while also not being fond of second chances. So why give one to Osuna?
The answer is plain and simple.
The Astros want to repeat as world champions, and they envision Osuna closing out the last inning of the World Series.
Still, Astros management won’t own it. They won’t admit that their underlying goal is victory above all, even if it means abandoning their “no-tolerance” policy. Astros general manager Jeff Lunhow believes that the acquisition of Osuna falls fully in line with their team policies. “We are confident that Osuna is remorseful, has willfully complied with all consequences related to his past behavior, has proactively engaged in counseling, and will fully comply with our zero-tolerance policy related to abuse of any kind.”
In conclusion, forgive Osuna for beating a woman… because he said he was sorry?
Wouldn’t it be refreshing if somebody on the Astros came out and simply said that they traded for Osuna because he gives them the best chance of winning the World Series?
