Blue Jays: Teams inquiring on availability of Roberto Osuna

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported that the Toronto Blue Jays have been fielding calls all offseason on the availability of closer Roberto Osuna, however, there is no indication the Blue Jays have considered moving the young hurler.

Cafardo divulged that Roberto Osuna has garnered plenty of trade inquiries in his latest piece for the Globe. It is safe to assume that Ross Atkins and company would have to be absolutely blown away by a lopsided offer to entertain moving Osuna who is under team control until 2021.

The 22-year old had a tale of two seasons in 2017 dominating in the first half of the campaign which led to his first All-Star berth, however, Osuna imploded for much of the second half that was highlighted by a bout of anxiety that required professional intervention.

Through it all, he still finished off the season with a respectable 3.38 earned run average and 39 saves in 66 games however that was coupled with a league-leading 10 blown saves. Regardless of how trying of a season it was, the young closer is still considered the anchor of the Jays bullpen moving into 2018.

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No doubt the escalating price of free agent relievers on the open market has sparked an urgency for General Managers to think outside the box and explore the trade route to bolster their bullpens for the upcoming season.

The Jays are somewhat dealing from an area of strength with their cost-effective bullpen for next season as the likes of Danny Barnes, Ryan Tepera, Joe Biagini, Dominic Leone and Carlos Ramirez compliment Osuna nicely moving forward.

The Jays could look at moving an arm for the right return but it is highly unlikely that arm will be Osuna. Much like the Josh Donaldson trade discussions, the Jays will continue to answer the phone and listen but you have to figure it’s a hard “No” when Osuna’s name comes up.

Next: Blue Jays’ GM addresses the Josh Donaldson rumours

It should be an interesting finale to the offseason in the coming months as we are now exactly two months away from the start of Grapefruit League action in Florida.