Blue Jays and Astros could come together for closer swap

A few months ago the idea of the Toronto Blue Jays swapping closers with the World Champions would have been completely ludicrous but then again nobody could have predicted Roberto Osuna would have a run-in with the law and Ken Giles would be pitching in Fresno.

So before the Roberto Osuna lynch mob jumps all over me, hear me out. The closer will never pitch for the Blue Jays again, accept the facts. The Jays brain trust is not going to endorse or paint a picture that they support domestic violence. As far as I am concerned, Osuna is as good as gone.

My belief is General Manager Ross Atkins has carefully said all the right things in an attempt to portray he is keeping Osuna and not come off desperate or put himself at a disadvantage when speaking to teams about the problematic 23-year old.

Obviously, prospective teams realize the Blue Jays are in a precarious position and are selling their closer at an all-time low. Insert the Houston Astros into the fold, they need help at the backend of their bullpen.

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Closer Ken Giles fell out of favour with A.J. Hinch and is currently closing out ball games in the Pacific Coast League. Giles is still only 27 and is not poised to hit free agency until 2021 after earning $4.6 million this season. Much like Giles, Osuna is arbitration eligible until 2021 and is earning a touch more at $5.3 million for the 2018 campaign.

Assuming the Astros would throw in a prospect or two to even the playing field, this deal could potentially work for both sides and provide the Blue Jays with a tangible asset for Osuna. Although Giles has struggled for much of the season, the closer has pitched much better since his demotion sporting a 2.08 earned run average in five relief appearances with Fresno.

The two sides came together last season at the trade deadline for a swap that saw outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and Nori Aoki come north of the border for pitcher Francisco Liriano.

Call me crazy, I just don’t think Osuna will unfortunately ever pitch for the Jays again and this scenario may make the best out of a bad situation.